Liara was unusually quiet today.
Instead of sitting with her friends, she was sitting alone on a bench in a corner of the
campus, lost in her thoughts.
From a distance, Sia noticed her.
Why is Liara sitting there alone? And Arin has been looking for her everywhere.
She started walking toward her.
“Liara!”
No response.
“She’s not even listening…” Sia muttered, then walked closer and placed a hand on her
shoulder.
“Ah, Sia? It’s you?” Liara said, startled.
“Yes, it’s me.”
“You’re sitting here, and Arin is searching for you all over the campus.”
“Why is he looking for me?”
Oh,
“What do you mean by ‘why’? Yesterday you were the one looking for him, and today he’s
looking for you.”
“It’s not like that, Sia…” She is trying to avoid the topic. “I just had something important to
think about.”
“Oh, really?” Sia glanced around. “What important work do you have here? Sitting alone
and studying random people?”
“Come on.” Sia grabbed her hand gently.
“Sia… I’m sorry, but I’m fine here. I want to sit in peace for a while.”
“Liara, is everything okay, my bestie?”
“No…. Nothing’s wrong.”
Sia didn’t move. Instead, she sat down beside her on the bench and gently placed a hand on
her shoulder.
“Liara… if there’s something you want to share, you can tell me.” “Only if you’re
comfortable.”Liara looked at her, her face filled with quiet worry.
“Sia… I,” she started, but stopped midway.
Her thoughts tangled within her.
How do I even say this…?
What if she tells Arin?
Why does it feel like I’m trapped?
Mom’s words won’t leave my mind…
She stayed silent.
Sia, meanwhile, kept looking at her, patiently waiting for her to speak.
“Sia… promise me you won’t tell anyone, "Her eyes filled with unease as she extended her
hand for a promise.
Sia hesitated for a moment.
That’s difficult… but Liara is my friend, she thought.
Then she took her hand.
“Alright. I won’t tell anyone. Not even Arin,”
Liara let out a deep breath.
“I’m scared, Sia… I’ve been tense since last night.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Nothing is okay.”
“You know Arin and I are in a relationship… but his father will never accept me.”
Her voice grew heavier.
“Because I’m from a lower background.”
“Liara, why are you thinking so negatively?”
“I’m not being negative.” Liara shook her head. “This is the truth. I didn’t realize it before…
until my mom made me see it.”
“What did Aunt say?”
“She said… we can’t just stay like this forever,” Liara replied quietly. “My university is
about to end… we should get married now.”
She paused, then added, “Mom thinks I’ve grown too close to Arin. And of course, he’s very
close to his father. If he gives in to pressure and leaves me… I’ll shatter like sand. I won’t be
able to put myself back together again.”Sia listened carefully, trying to understand her.
Then she spoke gently but firmly.
“Liara… Aunt is right. You have to talk to Arin about marriage now.”
“Hey, girls.”
Liara froze.
That voice
Arin.
He’s here…
“Liara, pull yourself together,” Sia whispered quickly. “Talk to him. And whatever happens,
tell me later.”
“Wait, Sia, where are you going?”
“This is your moment.”
“It wouldn’t feel right if I stayed in between.”
And with that, she walked away.
Liara stood there, trying too steadily herself.
Meanwhile, Arin walked closer, a faint smile on his lips.
“You’re sitting here all alone…”
“You didn’t even think that this poor little heart might be missing you?”
He stopped in front of her.
“Uncle will agree.”
“Liara… where did my father even come into this?”
“He is the one standing between us.”
At that moment, it felt like Liara was standing between her emotions and reality, trapped
between love and pressure.
Arin stayed silent for a second, processing her words.
“Arin, I want to marry you. Soon.”
“Soon?" Arin looked at him in disbelief. “What happened to you? You never said this
before.”
“Because before… I had time,” Arin. “Now I don’t.”
“Are you okay? Is everything fine?”
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder.Liara shifted slightly away.
Then, looking directly at him, she asked something that changed the air between them.
“Arin… tell me the truth. Are you just passing time with me?”
The question hit him like a shock.
“Liara… what are you saying? Are you doubting me?”
“I’m not doubting you.”
“I’m asking you as your partner. I have the right to know where I stand.”
“Liara, you know I can’t talk to my father like that.”
Liara stared at him.
“Fine,” she said coldly. “So, what you mean is… you won’t talk to your father, you won’t
marry me, and we’ll just keep meeting secretly like this? Am I right?”
“Liara, I think you’re upset right now.” He is trying to calm the situation. “We’ll talk later.
I’ll come back and explain everything.”
He turned left.
But before he could take a step away, Liara grabbed his hand.
“I want an answer right now.”
Arin looked into her eyes, confused, hurt, and waited for clarity.
“Liara, try to understand me. I will handle it, okay? Just give me some time.”
“Time?” Liara repeated, her voice shaking slightly. “I’ve been understanding you for fifteen
years. Now it’s your turn to understand me.”
“Please… just try to understand,” gently reaching out to touch her cheek.
But Liara quickly moved his hand away.
“Please, Arin…”
What happened to her? She won’t even let me come close anymore
For a moment, he stayed there, unsure whether to leave or stay.
Maybe I should go…
Liara is picking up her bag.
and started walking away.
“Liara!” Arin called after her.
But she didn’t stop.
Arin stood there, watching her leave, a heavy unease settling in his chest.This distance… It’s hurting me… and her too, he thought.
I need to talk to Dad. If I don’t, I’ll lose to Liara.
How do I even talk to Dad? What will I say to him?
Arin ran a hand through his hair, restless.
And if Liara finds out…that my dad wants me to marry my cousin… no… no… her heart is
too sensitive for this.
He stopped walking for a moment, then started pacing again.
He had already walked around his room countless times, his steps heavy, his mind heavier.
Nothing felt stable.
Even when he sat down, peace didn’t come.
His thoughts kept tightening around his chest, pulling him deeper into anxiety.
This pressure… this confusion… It’s tearing me apart.
He exhaled sharply, but it didn’t help.
Instead, his restlessness only grew stronger.
Arin took a deep breath and walked toward the door.
He stepped out of his room and headed toward his father’s room.
Standing in front of the door, he knocked softly.
“Come in,” came his father’s voice from inside.
Arin opened the door and walked in.
“Hi, son. What brings you here?”
“Do you need something?”
“No, Dad…
“Really?” His father raised an eyebrow with a faint smile. “That’s unusual. You only come
when you need something.”
Arin hesitated for a moment, then gathered his courage.
“Dad… I wanted to talk about something.”
His father looked at him attentively.
“Dad… you want me to get married, right?”
“Yes, I do.”
I have to convince him… I have no other choice.
“Son, is there something else you want to say?”“Speak quickly. I’m reading something important.”
“Dad… actually”
“Go on, dear. Why are you so confused? Is there a problem?”
“No… there’s no problem.” Arin let out a nervous laugh that didn’t feel real even to him.
“Dad… how do I say this…”
“Say it,” his father encouraged.
Arin’s fingers began to move restlessly; his nerves clearly visible now.
I have to be strong… I have to say it.
“Dad… I like a girl,” Arin finally said in one breath.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfp4Wo1O4X
and then Add to home screen.