MK stood among the crowd, her hands clasped in front of her like she was afraid they might tremble if she let them fall to her sides.
They had been waiting for a while—families, friends, officers, reporters—everyone gathered for the return of soldiers who had been deployed a year ago. Among them was Shriya Robertson.
Shriya had left right after training. No celebrations. No long goodbyes. Just a uniform, a salute, and a chopper disappearing into the sky. Her family hadn't heard a single word from her since then.
She wasn't meant to be on the front lines—but that didn't mean she was safe. Field duty still meant danger. Still meant nights that could end without warning. Still meant every day carried the risk of being the last.
The crowd buzzed with low chatter, anxious murmurs weaving through the air like nervous energy. MK tried to breathe through it, but every breath felt too shallow.
Then—
The distant thrum of rotors cut through the noise.
A chopper.
The crowd fell quiet.
So did MK's world.
Her heart began to pound so loudly she was sure others could hear it. Her chest tightened, her hands grew cold. She hadn't realized how nervous she was until that moment—until the reality of seeing Shriya again crashed into her all at once.
The chopper descended slowly, stirring dust and wind across the landing field. The doors slid open.
And then she stepped out.
Shriya.
Her black hair brushed her shoulders, moving gently in the breeze. The military uniform fit her perfectly, molded to a body that had changed—leaner, stronger, disciplined by months of training and survival. She looked… breathtaking.
Not just beautiful.
Powerful.
Scarlet was the first to reach her, pulling her into a fierce embrace. Then her father. Then her brother. Laughter broke through the tension like sunlight after rain.
MK stayed where she was, waiting her turn.
Her legs felt weak, like they barely remembered how to stand. Each step forward felt heavier than the last.
When she finally reached Shriya, she didn't know what to say.
So she did the only thing her heart knew how to do.
She hugged her.
"Hey," MK whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm glad you're back."
She lingered—too long. Her arms stayed wrapped around Shriya as if letting go might make her disappear again. All the emotions she'd buried over the year surged back at once: regret, guilt, longing, love she never learned how to stop feeling.
Shriya felt MK's heartbeat against her chest.
Fast. Desperate.
She frowned slightly.
"MK… let go," she murmured.
MK did—but reluctantly, like someone releasing the edge of a cliff.
Shriya looked at her calmly. She was happy to see MK, that much was true. But the longing—the ache, the pull—was gone. MK no longer held that gravity over her life.
That realization both saddened her...and relieved her.
"Please, Shrii," MK said softly. "Can we talk?"
Shriya hesitated, then shook her head.
"MK, it's best if we don't see each other anymore. And call me Shriya—'Shrii' sounds lame now." She gave a small, polite smile and turned to hug the next person in line.Jesse.
MK stood frozen.
She had always known actions carried consequences—but knowing didn't make them easier to face. Still, she had hoped. Somewhere deep inside, she had hoped love couldn't fade like this. That it would wait for her. That she would be forgiven.
She had replayed every mistake over the past year, every word she should have said, every moment she should have chosen differently.
And yet the guilt still gnawed at her.
"Hey," Jesse said gently, approaching her. "Are you okay?"
"She doesn't love me anymore," MK whispered.
"She just came back," Jesse said. "Give her time."
MK shook her head slowly. "No… her eyes. There was nothing in them. No warmth. No recognition. She looked at me like I was just another person in the crowd." Her chest tightened. "Like she hates me."
Jesse opened her mouth to speak.
"Don't," MK said quietly. "Don't try to soften it. Just tell me the truth."
Jesse sighed. "MK… she's human. And what you did—well—it hurt her deeply.too deep."
MK pressed a hand to her chest, breathing unevenly. How can this happen? she thought. How can someone stop loving you? Was everything we had just temporary? A season,not a forever?.
And yet—despite everything—she still wanted her. Still wanted to love her, hold her, protect her.is it too much?.
Is it too much to ask for a second chance?
Don't I deserve one?.MK thought.
Jesse crouched beside her and said quietly, "how about you make her fall in love with you again."
MK looked up.
"She loved you once," Jesse continued. "Maybe she can love you again." Then she added softly, "Or… you can let her go and find someone else."
MK barely heard the second part.
Hope ignited in her chest like a fragile flame.
"Thank you, Jesse," MK said, pulling her into a sudden hug. "Where would I be without you?"
And with that, MK walked away—leaving Jesse standing there, stunned,not realizing ,the weight her words had carried.