I laughed. Friends? Exes were meant to stay out of sight and out of mind – that’s the healthiest way.
She seemed utterly clueless, trying to keep me around, even though she knew she’d wronged me, still wanting me to offer her things.
When she heard me laugh, she must have thought I was letting her off the hook because her tone softened immediately. “Brian, maybe we weren’t meant to be, but that doesn’t mean we have to hate each other. As long as you’re there for me, I can treat you like a brother.”
And just like that, she asked me to run an errand for her, like nothing had changed – as if I’d be willing to drop everything to go buy her some sanitary supplies.
So that was it. She didn’t reach out because she missed me – she just wanted something.
But I wasn’t going to let her use me again.
I replied coldly, “If you need supplies, go ask Charles. I’m about ten minutes from catching my train.”
“What? You’re leaving? Where are you going?” she stammered, sounding confused.
“Home. To finish my studies,” I said, matter-of-factly.
I’d given up a year of my life for her, and now that it was over, I was ready to start putting my future back on track.
She didn’t take it well and shouted, “You can’t leave me here all alone!”
“You’re not alone; you have Charles to take care of you now,” I replied calmly. I was done caring about Charles’s true character.
But she kept at it, ordering me like always. “I don’t care! You’re the one who’s supposed to look after me! Get off that train, or this is it – we’re done!”
“Are you serious? We’re already done,” I said, ending the call.
When she tried calling again, I didn’t pick up.
She was unbelievable. When I was there by her side, looking out for her, she’d act like it was a burden. Now that I was leaving for good, she was desperate to pull me back.
But this time, it was too late. She’d already pushed me too far, and my heart, hardened by her betrayal, wouldn’t soften again.
After a grueling day and night on the train, I finally arrived home.
Seeing my parents, now elderly with white strands in their hair, stirred a deep regret in me, making me want to kick myself for my foolishness.
We weren’t well-off, but they’d always made sacrifices to keep me in school, even if it meant living on little more than plain bread and pickles.
And what had I done? I’d thrown away a promising future for a woman, letting them down.