Page 67 of HEARTSTORM

Two days had passed.

But the decision hit me the moment I stepped out of Maya's car two nights ago.

I tried to push it aside, to delay it as long as I could, to tuck it away where it wouldn't hurt.

But the world didn't wait for me. It didn't care about my pain.

And I couldn't allow myself to give in to its will anymore.

I was done with hesitation. I tried to bury it deep, where it couldn't control me.

This morning I told my mom.

Her answer was soft: "Just make sure this is what you really want, Grace."

When I called Lily, she didn't hesitate: "If this is what you need, I've got your back, Grace."

Their reassuring words gave me enough courage to move forward.

Still... there was only one person I really wanted to hear from—only one whose words would actually matter right now.

Maya.

Because no matter what, she mattered most.

Her voice—whether steady or breaking—was the only truth I wanted to carry with me.

The afternoon slipped away, and darkness came.

I didn't expect to see her around the house.

Her safe place was her room, away from everyone, away from everything.

I stopped at her closed door and let out the deepest breath I'd ever taken.

My hands weren't shaking.

My heart was. Not from fear, not from hope, but from something else.

A trembling I knew all too well—the kind that always found me whenever I thought of being close to her.

I know it sounds stupid now.

It would've been easier if I hated her. But I didn't.

I softly knocked on her door.

For a heartbeat, there was only silence.

"It's me," I said, placing my palm on the door.

Stupid. I should've said my name instead.

The silence stretched, and I felt every second of it before her voice finally came, low and gentle.

"Come in."

My heartbeat thundered in my ears.

I stepped in slowly, careful not to break the fragile balance she had in her room.

The faint scent of her—warm, spicy, vanilla—hit me, and my chest fluttered.

Maya was already turned toward me, her shoulders slightly curved, fingertips pressing against the desk as if searching for something solid.

I think she was studying.

Her books piled like war towers.

There was an empty coffee cup and, next to it, a box of ibuprofen.

Her face showed every trace of tiredness, her hair damp at the ends, and she wasn't wearing any makeup. She looked more beautiful like this than ever.

Her eyes followed me, taking in every small movement I made. A flicker of something—relief? worry?—passed over her face, and I felt my own breath catch.

I shifted my weight from foot to foot, searching for a calm gravity.

Maya stood up, leaving only a few short steps between us.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you," I said, clasping my hands together.

"You could never disturb me, Grace," she replied, with a certainty that almost hurt to see.

In moments like this, I wished she weren't so gentle. I wished her care didn't pierce me so deeply.

I drew in a deep breath.

"I just wanted to tell you something," I said, hesitant but determined. "About a decision."

Her eyes softened, patient but alert, like she was bracing herself for what I was about to say.

"Go on," she said.

My words came slowly, each one chosen carefully.

The truth, however, spoke for itself.

"I'm going to New York."

Maya flinched almost imperceptibly. I saw it, felt it—a small quake passing through her, making her chest rise and fall unevenly.

The decision was mine, and yet I could see it weighing on her.

"You'll be perfect," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips, though her eyes betrayed her. "You'll make it yours, every single part of it. You're going to shine so bright, brighter than you think. You're meant for this, Grace. Never, ever doubt it."

I set her sincere words aside for a moment, and the way she put all her trust in me, realizing...

She wouldn't come with me.

But I already knew that. Just having it confirmed stung.

Her eyes flickered with concern between mine, as if hoping her words had reached me. They landed just right.

"Thank you," I whispered, a tremble running through my lips.

I wish I could hold her right now, but pulling her close might pull me apart too.

It felt like this tiny distance was the only thing keeping us from falling.

"Grace," her soft voice woke me up from my thoughts.

"Yes?" I murmured.

Maya took a small step forward, her eyes fixed on mine. "None of this has anything to do with you. It's mine to deal with. You didn't cause it. Not at all."

I nodded weakly.

Even though she spoke clearly and sincerely, I knew deep down I wanted to hear more.

I genuinely wanted to know what was going on in her mind.

But it was too far to reach.

And words seemed too small.

I recoiled and reached for the door, hand on the handle. That's when I stilled and turned to meet her eyes one last time.

"Are you going to be okay?" I found myself asking.

"I'll try for you," Maya said, and the way her eyes lingered on me made it sound like a promise and a plea at once.

In that single, searing heartbeat, the weight of everything—regret, longing, goodbye—hung between us.

Then I reluctantly pressed the handle and stepped out.

I leaned my back against the door for a moment, as if holding on to her from the outside.

It felt like we'd already had this conversation, silently, inside us.

I didn't expect her to stop me.

And somehow, Maya already knew I had to tell her about New York.

Or... our New York, as we used to call it.

This decision should have been ours.

Our decision.

Not just mine.

And now... it wasn't.

It was my decision, with all the consequences it carried.

When I finally pulled away, the house felt emptier, quieter, colder than I remembered it.

Maybe because Maya held all its warmth.

~

I packed everything for New York.

I folded all my memories into my suitcase.

I found a small rental house just a few steps from the museum where I'll be working.

From the photos I've seen, it's cozy and warm, with a bright living area, a tiny kitchen, and a balcony overlooking the courtyard.

Today was the day.

I turned off my alarm and sat on the edge of the bed, letting out a slow sigh.

The lump in my throat reminded me I was still feeling it all, but I had made it a habit.

I hadn't seen Maya since our last talk.

I was so mad at her.

Mad because she was taking the safe path.

The old me would have been shaking just thinking about everything that happened over the past week.

And everything that's about to happen now.

The present me felt... aware of the storm but ready to face it anyway.

My flight was in the evening, so I took some time for myself.

I had breakfast with my mom on the terrace.

Memories hit me all at once.

It was on that terrace that I got the call about New York.

Maya was there, right beside me, sharing it, holding me like she always did.

I swam in the pool, remembering how it all began.

Maya in that burgundy bikini that clung to her curves like it was made just for her.

Even now, just remembering it sent a shiver down my spine.

This whole house... reminded me of her. Every corner, every room, every bed holds a piece of our story.

I won't let go. Not now, not ever.

I'll keep it all with me, safe in my heart.

It was time.

I took one last look around my room. Sunlight spilled across the floor, casting gold on the balcony and the bed sheets.

I loved this room.

I took it all in, letting every corner, every little detail sink in one last time.

I breathed it in, letting every corner, every little detail sink in one last time.

Finally, I closed the door. My hand lingered on the handle a moment longer than it should have.

Then, I stepped away.

I paused at the top of the stairs, like my feet weren't ready to leave. Down below, my family waited. But up here, there was nothing—just my suitcase and the silence.

I took a breath. One step.

Then—

Her door creaked open.

Maya.

She appeared in the doorway, her steps soft, coming toward me, and I froze.

"Grace," she whispered, meeting my gaze with an honesty that took my breath away.

Her lips curved in the faintest hint of a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She leaned closer, and I shivered as her warm breath brushed the side of my neck.

She held out a white letter. "It's all here." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "I'm sorry I can't say it out loud."

My fingers trembled as I took it.

Maya drew in a visible breath, her dark eyes trailing every inch of my face so deeply it hurt.

Then she stepped closer. Closer. I could feel her warmth, the faint brush of her hair against my skin.

And then... she leaned down, her lips pressing softly to my forehead.

I closed my eyes, letting it sink in.

Her lips were so soft. So lingering.

Enough to bring every memory, every feeling back to life.

Maya stepped back, letting me go, letting me breathe, but her gaze never left me.

I forced myself to look away, took a deep breath, and slowly made my way down the stairs, feeling her eyes on me the whole time.

Near the door, Nelly, Victor, and my mother waited. My mother opened her arms first, and I sank into her embrace. "It's going to be okay," she whispered.

I wanted to believe that.

Before I realized, Victor held me in a hug and whispered, "Thank you."

I didn't really get what he was thanking me for, but I felt his familiar comfort.

Finally, Nelly. My heart ached. I hugged her, pressed my face to her shoulder, whispering, "Take care of her."

"Always," she murmured, her voice saying everything I needed to hear.

I walked away from everyone toward the door, tightening my grip on the letter Maya had given me.

I turned back to her one last time, knowing it would hurt—and knowing I needed it anyway.

She stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, fingers twitching slightly, watching me from afar.

Her expression didn't waver, didn't soften, didn't give anything away.

I turned back.

My Uber was already there as I walked without looking back. I got in and slid into the back seat.

The letter was crumpled from how tightly I had held it.

I knew it was a terrible idea given all the emotions I was trying to hold in, but as soon as the car started, I opened it and read:

Dear Grace,

I'm sorry for being selfish, for being distant, for hurting you. You have every reason to be angry with me, and I'll understand if you never forgive me.

These months with you have been the best days of my life. Please, never doubt it. Everything we are is real.

Even if I have to let you go now, you're in my heart.

I'm not the person I wanted you to believe I was. I let you down. I pushed you to the limit. I didn't protect you like I should have.

You didn't deserve that.

I'm not as strong as I wanted you to believe. I break. I'm afraid. I'm vulnerable. Only you could tear down the walls I'd built around me.

You changed everything without even trying. Don't let anyone change you.

Please, stay who you are. You're enough.

Always, Maya.

Tears streamed down my face, landing right on the "always" at the end of the letter, dampening the paper.

Her words were so... raw and yet so... pure.

Every emotion I had kept buried suddenly felt alive and burning.

I pressed the letter against my chest.

Her goodbye letter.

My tears kept falling as I picked up my phone and called Lily.

I needed someone to hear it with me. To not feel completely alone with all of this—or I might just break.

I held the phone to my ear and began reading the letter aloud.

My voice broke over the words that hit me the hardest, causing me to pause a few times to catch my breath.

When I finally finished, there was silence on the other end of the line. Just silence.

"This isn't a goodbye letter," Lily finally spoke. "This is a declaration of love. A love letter," she added with certainty.

I fell silent, my sobs fading, and my voice came out trembling, unsure over the phone:

"Love... was never mentioned in this letter. Never once."

"It's something deeper, Grace," Lily said softly. "Love doesn't need to be said aloud."

"She still let me go..." I whispered, not knowing how to defend my point.

Lily let out a breath. "Only because she doesn't have the strength to keep you."

It hurt too much to even think about.

I folded the letter carefully and slipped it back into its envelope, noticing there was something else inside.

Something that was clinking softly.

I quickly ended the call with Lily, needing to focus as I finally lifted the small object.

Maya's moon ring.

I felt my heart halt.

My fingers trembled as they traced its curve, over the crescent moon and the little blue gem.

Holding it made everything feel so real. Her, us, everything.

This... couldn't have been easy for her.

I know. I've been there too.

Maybe... she didn't take the safe path.

I lifted my eyes several long minutes later only to find the airport right in front of me.

The silence was painful as I stared forward, stepping out almost on autopilot.

I didn't let go of the ring.

Not even when my teary eyes got lost in the sky from my airplane seat.

I held it gently in my hands as if she had given me a piece of her heart.

I don't know if this was really goodbye.

But I've never felt her absence so close.