UNSPOKEN WORDS

Anakin ran. He didn't know where he was running to, but he just ran. His chest burned, his legs ached, but the chaos in his mind drowned out everything else. The streets blurred around him as his breaths came ragged. He stumbled onto the road, raising his hand for a cab, barely caring about the price. He threw himself inside without arguing, slamming the door shut.

Silence.

The ride back took two hours. Two hours of nothing but the sound of the car engine humming, the faint chatter of the radio, and the occasional honk of a passing vehicle. He barely noticed any of it. His hands were still trembling, his mind replaying his mother's words over and over. The way she had lied. The way she had looked at him, as if she was still hoping he'd believe her.

He felt sick.

The cab finally stopped. Anakin paid the driver without a second glance and stepped out into the cold night air. The campus lights flickered in the distance. His dorm was just ahead.

As soon as he entered his room, the weight of everything hit him like a freight train. He lost control. He grabbed the nearest thing—his desk lamp—and sent it crashing to the floor. The sound of shattering glass barely registered in his mind. He kicked his chair, sending it flying against the wall. His books, his papers, all of them scattered across the floor as he swiped his arm across the desk in a blind fury. His breath was ragged, his vision blurry with anger. He wanted to scream, but nothing came out. Just heavy, uneven breaths.

His phone vibrated on the floor, the screen lighting up in the dim room.

10 missed calls from Melisa.

And messages—so many messages. His hands hovered over the screen before he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. He had left his phone on silent. He had shut himself off from the world. He knew she must have been worried, but he just... couldn't bring himself to talk to anyone.

And yet, despite everything, he wanted to talk to her.

Because it was Melisa.

She had always been there. Always.

He swallowed hard and pressed the call button. The phone rang.

Ringing.

Ringing.

The line clicked.

"Where the hell have you been?!"

Her voice hit him immediately—angry, urgent. But beneath the frustration, there was something else. A softness, a kind of relief.

Anakin exhaled through his nose, a tired smile playing on his lips.

"I'll meet you at our café."

—

The café was almost empty at this hour, just a few late-night stragglers sipping their drinks. Melisa sat at their usual table. She was always early whenever he called. She always waited.

Anakin felt another pang of guilt.

Not because he made her wait. But because he knew he was making her wait even though he was dying.

She looked up as he approached, her eyes sharp.

"Where the hell have you been?" she repeated as soon as he sat down.

Anakin sighed, rubbing his face. "I went to my hometown."

Melisa frowned. "Why?"

"To meet my mom." He leaned back, running his hands through his hair. "I had things to sort out."

Silence. A heavy one. Both of them sat there, neither knowing what to say.

Finally, Melisa spoke.

"Anakin, I need to tell you something."

He lifted his gaze to her. "About what?"

She hesitated. Her fingers gripped the edge of the table. Then she shook her head. "Never mind."

Anakin didn't push. He noticed the way she was holding herself back, and for once, he didn't have the energy to pry.

"Okay."

Another silence.

This one was worse. It was filled with unspoken words, things they weren't saying but should.

"Do you still love Eva?"

Anakin's entire body stiffened at the name. He swallowed, looking away.

"What does it matter?"

"Don't dodge my question."

He sighed. "What if I say no?"

Melisa didn't flinch. "Then say it."

"No."

She narrowed her eyes. "Stop playing games, Anakin."

"Games?" He let out a dry chuckle. "You think this is a game?"

"Answer the question, Anakin."

He leaned forward, his voice lower. "Mel, you know what? Fuck it."

Melisa's eyes widened. "What?"

He got up from his chair, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Where are you going?"

"I can't do this."

As he turned to leave, Melisa shot up from her seat and followed him.

"Anakin, stop acting like a fucking kid!"

He kept walking. She reached out and grabbed his wrist.

"I'm a child now?"

"Yes, you are acting like one!"

For the first time, she raised her voice at him. Melisa never did that. Not at him.

"I'm tired, Anakin." Her voice softened, but it carried a weight. "I'm tired of loving you."

Anakin's expression changed. His lips parted, but no words came out.

"Mel—"

"Let me talk, Anakin."

And for once, he let her.

"I loved you for four years. I loved you when you were an asshole, I loved you when you were with someone else—I didn't care. I didn't care, Anakin."

Her voice cracked. She clenched her fists, blinking back tears.

She stepped closer, hesitating, before reaching for his hand.

"Your timer will disappear when you find someone who truly loves you and you love them back, right?"

Anakin didn't respond.

"Then let's run away, Anakin."

His lips trembled. His hands shook. He looked at her—really looked at her—and something inside him shattered.

A single tear slipped from his eye.

And then he hugged her.

Tightly. Desperately. Like a drowning man holding onto the last thing keeping him afloat.

Melisa wrapped her arms around him, holding him the way she always had—like she wasn't going to let go. Like he was safe. Like she was his home.

He buried his face in her shoulder, his body trembling.

"Just hold me."

So she did.

She didn't try to console him. She didn't tell him things would be okay. She just held him. Because sometimes, presence was enough.

After a long time, after quiet sobs and shaky breaths, he pulled away. His eyes were red, his face puffy.

Anakin rubbed his face and let out a small, sad smile.

"Melisa, you're the best thing that ever happened to me."

Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't speak.

"But I don't deserve you."

Melisa shook her head. "Anakin—"

"No, let me finish." He exhaled. "I love you, Melisa. But I love you as my friend. And you're the person I love most in this world. Not Eva. Not my mother. You."

Silence.

"But I can't come with you."

Her heart cracked.

Anakin walked her back to her dorm. Neither of them spoke. When they reached her door, he stopped.

"Thank you."

He kissed her forehead.

And then he left.

Melisa locked the door behind her and sank against it.

Anakin was gone.