Reading Between (the line)

Final Scene

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[Noon's]

My heart was pounding so hard. Never did I imagine I'd bump into her on the very first day I came back.

When she opened that door and looked at me, I felt like I was dreaming, hallucinating the person I'd missed the most these past six years. But when she grabbed my arm to stop me from running away again, I realized she was real.

"You're not leaving me again, P'Noon. I won't let you. Never."

Her words were so firm, so certain, that I felt confused. Why did she sound like she wasn't happy I let her go six years ago? Wasn't that what she wanted?

I turned to her and saw her eyes brimming with tears. "P-Praewa," I uttered her name, surprised. Before I knew it, my hands were already on her face, wiping away her tears.

"Noon?"

Both Praewa and I turned toward the voice. It was Anda, standing there with Mai beside her.

That's when reality hit me. The two of them were still together, huh? Good for them. I quickly withdrew my hands from Praewa's face and moved toward Anda.

I need to get out of here!

"Let's go somewhere else," I told Anda, walking past her without looking at Mai. This wasn't the reunion I imagined with an old friend, but I had no choice. I just want to be away from here.

I jumped into the elevator they had just exited and closed the doors. Maybe Anda froze upon seeing me because she didn't make it into the elevator in time, leaving her behind as the doors shut.

I pounded my chest, feeling the familiar ache. This was why I didn't want to come back so soon. I was afraid—afraid to confirm that what I did was right, that Praewa and Mai were truly meant for each other.

Because... what about me?

"Fck! Fck!" I cursed under my breath.

Ding.

The elevator opened, and I quickly stepped out. I was on the rooftop, huh? The elevator was going up then? I hadn't even realized it.

I turned to the stairwell door when it flung open. There I saw Praewa, panting. I turned back to the elevator, intending to leave again, but she quickly ran over and blocked my way.

"I told you. I am not letting you leave again!" she said.

My eyes blurred with tears, and I wiped them away harshly. "Move, Praewa," I said coldly.

"No."

"I said, move."

"N-no," Praewa replied, her voice cracking. My heart softened. I turned away to avoid looking at her. Seeing her cry breaks my heart.

Suddenly, I felt her arms wrap around my waist, her head resting against my back. She was hugging me, crying.

"Please, P'Noon. P-please stop running away from me. I'm sorry. I-I'm sorry if I lied. I'm sorry if I broke your heart."

She kept apologizing. But I should have been the one saying sorry, so why was she? I wanted to ask her, but I had to see her face, so I tried to pull away from her. She only tightened her grip, refusing to let go.

"I was mad. So mad that I was blinded by it. I... I didn't believe your love and chose to use someone else's love for me to hurt you. And in the end, I lost you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."

Praewa apologized again. I stayed silent, listening to her sob against my back. Everything she said made me think deeply. So many questions filled my mind, but there was one I needed an answer to.

When Praewa finally loosened her grip, I pulled away and turned to face her. She was still crying, just like me.

"I'm not good at reading between the lines, Praewa. I never was. So, can you please tell me one thing to make it clear?" I asked, and she nodded. "A-are you telling me now that you're in love with me again?"

"No."

Praewa's immediate and unexpected answer took me by surprise. She flashed a smile at my reaction. "You really are bad at reading between the lines," she subtly teased. "I am not in love AGAIN with you, P'Noon. I am STILL in love with you. It never faded. Not even for one second these past six years."

My tears started flowing again, a flood this time. I couldn't believe how much of an idiot I'd been. What had I done?

Praewa's hands touched my face, wiping away my tears like I had done for her earlier. As we gazed into each other's eyes, I could see how broken she was when I left. I had caused her so much pain for years, and I didn't know how to make it up to her.

But in this moment, I knew exactly where to start.

I leaned closer and kissed her. On the lips. Passionately, hoping to convey all my regrets, my sincerity, and my love for her.

"I love you, Praewa," I told her wholeheartedly after the kiss.

Praewa smiled up at me. "And I love you too, very much, P'Noon," she replied. I pulled her into a tight embrace.

God, I love this woman so much. If only I weren't so bad at reading beyond words and actions, the two of us wouldn't have suffered this much.

But regrets without the intention of making amends are just empty repentance. From now on, I will try my best to read beyond the surface. Or better yet, we should just say it. Actions may speak louder than words, but affirmation—true understanding—comes from the words themselves.

And that's what I needed, what we both needed all along.

-End.

A/n: As promised, I dropped everything today at once. I hope you all enjoy this story. And please, please share your comments about the entire novel. I would love to hear your opinions and reactions.

Thank you so much for loving this story, even though I update so slowly. Lol. Until next time, everyone. This is frappyskye. Adios!