Chapter 10 10

Aida By the time I walked back into the office, my hands were shaking, so I curled them into fists to keep anyone from noticing. I pasted the smile he asked for on my face. The one I had perfected over the years. Seven years is too long a time to love someone but I did it. Caleb and I started dating in my first year at the university. We were young then, naive, hopeful and very foolish, in the way only first love allows. He loved me loudly. I loved him completely without holding back. Back then, his jealousy felt like passion. His possessiveness felt like protection.

Everyone said we were inseparable, and I wore that like a badge of honor. We'd be seen coming back from class, holding each other's hand and smooching publicly on the road. Being in the same department with him made it even more gross for others because we didn't really care about the world then.Nothing mattered to me more than his happiness. We thought we had it all figured out until our final year. Things weren't as easy as they used to be,he was really lagging behind. Two carryovers and BOOM he had an extra year. I graduated before him.And just like that, something shifted. It quietly started with small comments, questions disguised as jokes. "This one you've graduated, I hope they won't collect you from me o" "This your bumbum is increasing I hope nobody is pressing it" And then I got a job working at a finance company, it was quite popular in the area, I started earning and it made him feel more uneasy. I never planned to leave him. I loved him too much for that. So when he suggested we move in together, I didn't question it. "It'll strengthen our bond," he said. I believed him. At first, it really was beautiful. We were wild. Reckless. Always touching, always laughing. Endless nights, loud music, shared meals, shared dreams. We'd fuck throughout the day and end up fucking at night too. We tried all the sex positions we could find online. The people on our street thought we were married. My parents weren't around, they died when I was small and no siblings, so no one was asking questions. It felt like freedom. I felt accomplished. But freedom doesn't come with rules. Slowly, the warmth changed. It became Where are you going? Then why are you wearing that? Then why is that man looking at you? Love turned into monitoring. Concern turned into control. Arguments ended with apologies but somehow, I was always the one apologizing. I didn't want to think too much about the past and by the time I reached my desk, my chest felt hollow,I sat down carefully, keeping my back straight, and my face calm. Breathe, Aida. Just breathe. My phone vibrated. I didn't need to check to know who it was. Instead, I stared at my computer screen, blinking hard, refusing to let the tears fall. Not here. Not now. "Hey." Mike's voice was quiet. I looked up and saw him standing a few steps away, holding a file against his chest. His expression wasn't curious. It wasn't a pity either. It was... concern. "You forgot this," he said, placing the notepad I'd dropped earlier on my desk. "Oh. Thanks." My voice came out thinner than I wanted. He didn't leave immediately. Are you okay?" His voice was low. Careful. Like he didn't want to startle me. I nodded immediately. Too quickly. "Yes." Lie. He didn't call me out on it. Instead, he glanced around once, quickly then leaned closer, lowering his voice. "You don't look okay." Something about the way he said it without judgment and without pressure made my eyes sting. "I'm fine," I repeated, softer this time, like if I said it gently enough it might become true. He studied me for a moment, then stepped back, giving me space. I appreciated that more than he knew. "Mercy said I should sit with IT for now," he said. "But... if you're busy, I can come back later." Busy. I almost laughed. "Give me five minutes," I said, surprising myself. "I'll walk you there." His brows lifted slightly. "You sure?" I nodded again. This time, slower. "Yeah." We walked side by side toward the IT section, not touching, but close enough that I could feel the heat from his arm every time it swung near mine. I focused on the sound of my heels against the tiled floor, counting each step like it was a lifeline. One. Two. Three. "Thank you," he said again, breaking the silence. "For earlier. And... now." "You don't have to keep thanking me," I replied. "It's literally part of my job." "I know," he said. "Still." That word again. Still. "You don't have to come if you don't want to," he said quietly. "I can find my way." "I said I'd take you," I replied. "I meant it." He glanced at me then. Really looked at me. There was something restrained in his expression, like he was holding back words in his head. "Okay," he said simply. We reached the IT section and I showed him where he was told to go, then I turned and left him. By 4:47 p.m., my head was pounding. The office had quieted down, the way it always did when people started leaving. I pretended to focus on my screen, but I'd been staring at the same email for ten minutes. I knew he was around. I hadn't seen Caleb all afternoon, and that alone made my chest tighten. By 5:05, I gave up. I packed my bag slowly, slipped my phone inside, and stood up. I looked in Mike's direction and he had already left. As I stepped out of the building, the evening air hit my face, warm and heavy. "Babe." My heart dropped. I turned slowly. Caleb stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets, and standing beside him was sayo. I didn't have the energy to exchange pleasantries so I didn't spear sayo any word.i could only focus on my boyfriend "Hi," I said, already tired. He walked closer. "I watched you today," he said. My stomach sank. "Watched me do what?" "Don't do that," he replied softly. "You know exactly what I mean." I swallowed. "There's nothing going on," I said quickly. "He's just a trainee. I was assigned to-" "I didn't ask for an explanation," he cut in "You've already said this before" I hated the fact that he couldn't wait for us to be alone to talk to me like that. He had to do it in front of her. "This thing you're doing," he continued, lowering his voice, "end it." My hands curled around my bag strap. "You can't tell me who to talk to at work." He smiled. Not kindly. "I can," he said. "And I am." "This is the last time I'm saying it, Aida," he added. "Don't let me see you entertaining that boy again." He stepped back. "Go home." And just like that, he turned and walked away. I stood there for a long time after he left, the street noise rushing back into my ears. My phone buzzed. A message from Caleb. Don't make me repeat myself, we'll talk later.

my spirit leave my body , I didn't know what to do.