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“Oh, sweetie. But I still don’t understand why you two broke up.”
“I told Aryan the same and we decided we’ll find another way to convince our parents. That’s why I was trying to reach you but you didn’t return my texts. Then today, Aryan came to my house and said we need to break up because our families will never agree. It’s best to part ways now than later when it’ll hurt worse.”
“Arya,” I mumble as a tear leaks down my cheek.
“I-I begged him to stay but he wouldn’t listen.” She cries harder as she speaks, “But he left anyways. I ca-can’t live without him, Bianca. I love him so much. You remember how I told you I wished to find my soulmate? Well, he’s the one, but I can’t even have h-him.”
At moments like these, I wonder why we ever let ourselves be vulnerable to one single person. To give them the power to dictate our happiness.
Even when it seems perfect, it always leads us to heartbreak.
Love is nothing but messy and painful, and I’m proven right once more. The only difference is I have the power to fix it this time. It will be so easy to let my sister wallow in hurt after she told me I no longer have to help her. I have the chance to walk away unscathed, yet I can’t. Because I’ll regret it like so many choices in my life.
Besides, she’s my little sister who I’ve held in my arms as a baby and vowed to protect and cherish, no matter what.
“Call Aryan and tell him he made a mistake,” I say, hiding the tremble in my voice. There’s nothing but silence for the longest seconds like my words shocked her or something.
“What!?” she whispers. “Why would I do that?”
“Because I’ve decided to get married, Ari.” Just like that, I seal my fate. “I was going to tell you after I talked to Dad tomorrow.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. So talk to Aryan and tell him not to worry about our parents.”
“Oh my god!” she gasps and the happiness mixed with astonishment is evident in her tone. “Did you meet someone? Tell me it’s not because of me and that you genuinely want to get married, Bianca.”
“Of course, Arya,” I lie as numbness sinks in. The taste of it is like poison in my mouth. “Let’s just say your words gave me the push I needed.”
“You mean it?”
“Yes.” I sigh. “Now go win your soulmate back, baby sis.”
“Thank you! Thank you! Bee. I love you.”
“Love you back.”
I’m about to hang up when she yells, “But wait… you didn’t say if you’re seeing someone.”
The urge to say Dash’s name screams inside me but I hold myself back. I wish I could’ve gone with Iris’s plan because it would’ve solved everything. Maybe I should’ve tried harder to convince him, but it’s too late now.
“I’ll tell you everything once I’ve talked to Dad. Okay, Ari?”
“Fine. Maybe we can meet for dinner?”
I relax when she doesn’t push. I have a feeling it’s because she’s eager to call Aryan. “Yeah… Dinner sounds good. I’ll let you know. Bye.”
Once she hangs up, I drop the phone on the desk and fight the urge to scream. Or cry. Or disappear. I can’t pick, and instead sit with my head between my hands as I come to terms with the decision I’ve made. I console myself that I’ll be fine. Maybe if I say it enough, it might become true.
***
The crisp night air caresses my skin and sends a shiver down my naked back in the black minidress I’m wearing. I’m standing at the entrance of The Mirage. The gentlemen’s club I visited with Rosa the last time.
My mom always said that one should never make hasty decisions when angry or when emotions are all over the place. Like mine are tonight. Because they only lead to terrible regrets, and a burden like that is heavy to carry.
In spite of knowing it myself, I’m unable to stop as I’m about to make one more.
It’s not the only lesson I learned, though. Sometimes when you’ve lost one battle, you need to fight another to feel strong. It’s a human instinct to do so when you’re pushed into a corner, and I don’t know about others, but it’s always helped me.
