*THE NEXT DAY*
I woke up to the soft glow of dawn filtering through my curtains, yet the remnants of yesterday lingered in my mind like an unshakable dream. The night's events replayed themselves over and over, each scene vivid and haunting. Christopher's proposal, the intensity in his eyes, the sheer sincerity that radiated from him—no one had ever made me feel like that. It was as if he had peeled back every layer of my soul and looked straight into my heart.I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts a tangled web of confusion and longing. *How could this be happening?* My mind refused to quiet down, stubbornly replaying the moment he had knelt before me, his words echoing in the silence of my room. The way he looked at me, like I was the only person in the world, made my heart flutter even now. His touch, so gentle and yet so firm, left a lingering warmth on my skin, a reminder of the intensity of his presence.But then, there was Anvir. The thought of him brought a rush of guilt that settled like a heavy stone in my chest. He had been by my side, a constant presence, and the idea of ending things with him felt cruel and abrupt. *I can't just break up with him out of nowhere,* I thought, the reality of the situation pressing down on me. Anvir had never wronged me, and yet here I was, tangled in a web of feelings I didn't fully understand. The most difficult part? My mind seemed to have a will of its own, relentlessly dragging me back to Christopher. His image was seared into my thoughts, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape it. The memory of his eyes, so full of emotion and unspoken promises, kept haunting me. The sincerity in his voice, the way he made me feel seen and valued, was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. It was as if he had unlocked a part of me that I didn't even know existed, a part that craved something more, something deeper.I sighed, rolling over and burying my face in the pillow. The scent of my sheets, familiar and comforting, did little to soothe the turmoil within me. I felt torn between the safe, predictable path with Anvir and the wild, exhilarating unknown that Christopher represented. My heart and mind were at war, each pulling me in different directions, and I couldn't seem to find my footing.As the morning light grew brighter, the world outside began to stir, but I remained trapped in my thoughts, unable to shake the lingering effects of yesterday. The decision ahead felt monumental, and the weight of it pressed heavily on my chest. I knew I couldn't stay in this limbo forever, but for now, I was suspended between two worlds, unsure of where my heart truly belonged.
As I lay in bed, the sound of the door creaking open startled me. I turned around to see Mark standing in the doorway, his expression a mix of concern and hesitation. "Sorry, I forgot to knock," he said, a sheepish smile on his lips. "It's fine," I replied, sitting up and pulling the covers around me. Mark stepped into the room with a certain firmness, his presence both comforting and commanding. He closed the door behind him and walked over to the bed, settling across from me. His eyes searched mine, trying to gauge the turmoil within me.Mark had always been a steady figure in my life, the one person who could ground me when everything felt chaotic. He was my older brother, a protector, even if his demanding career often kept him away. Unlike other members of our family, he genuinely cared about me. He wasn't just a sibling by blood; he was a confidant, someone I could trust with my darkest secrets."I heard about what happened yesterday," he began, his voice soft yet edged with concern. "When I wasn't here... I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you." His words were laced with guilt, a sentiment I hadn't expected. "Did you see this coming with Christopher?" he asked, his tone a blend of curiosity and caution.I shook my head, trying to find the right words to explain the whirlwind of events. "No, I didn't expect it at all," I admitted. "It all started that night at the event..."As I recounted the details of the night, I watched Mark's expression shift from shock to anger. His jaw tightened when I told him about Anvir's treatment of me, and I could see the frustration building in his eyes. He looked down, clenching his fists, clearly struggling to contain his emotions."Why didn't you tell me about Anvir?" he finally asked, his voice low and filled with disappointment. "I always thought he treated you well, so I never stepped in. But now... I'm so sorry, Evelyn. I should have known better. I should have protected you."His words pierced through the fog of confusion that had clouded my mind. Mark's anger wasn't just at Anvir; it was at himself for not being there when I needed him most. But underneath that anger, I saw the care and love he had for me. He wasn't just mad; he was hurt that I hadn't confided in him, hurt that he hadn't been the brother I needed."It's not your fault, Mark," I said, reaching out to touch his hand. "You couldn't have known. I... I kept it from you because I didn't want to worry you."He looked up, his eyes softening as he met my gaze. "You should never feel like you have to hide anything from me, Evelyn. I'm here for you, no matter what. Even if my work keeps me busy, you're always my priority."For a moment, the room was silent, filled with the unspoken bond between us. It was a comfort I hadn't realized I needed, a reminder that despite everything, I wasn't alone."So, what did Christopher say?" Mark asked, steering the conversation back. His voice held a protective edge, as if preparing to guard me from whatever news I had to share.I hesitated, the memory of Christopher's proposal still fresh in my mind. "He... He proposed," I finally said, my voice barely a whisper. Mark's eyes widened, surprise mingling with concern. "He said he wants to be with me, to protect me."Mark's brow furrowed, processing the revelation. "And what do you want, Evelyn? Do you have feelings for him?"His question hung in the air, heavy with implications. I looked away, trying to sort through my tangled emotions. "I don't know," I admitted. "It's all so confusing. Christopher... He makes me feel things I've never felt before. But there's Anvir, and I don't know how to just... leave him."Mark nodded, understanding flashing in his eyes. "It's a lot to take in," he agreed. "But whatever you decide, just know that I'm here for you. I'll support you, no matter what. And if anyone tries to hurt you, they'll have to go through me first."His words, so full of love and resolve, wrapped around me like a warm blanket. In that moment, I felt a surge of gratitude for my brother, for his unwavering support and the love he showed me. Mark might not always be around, but when he was, he made every moment count. He was more than a brother; he was my rock, my anchor in the storm.
As the weight of the conversation with Mark settled, a sudden chime from my phone broke the silence. I glanced down and saw the notification—a new email. My heart skipped a beat, a mixture of excitement and anxiety washing over me. With trembling fingers, I opened the message and scanned the contents. The words blurred together for a moment before coming into sharp focus.A rush of pure joy surged through me, and I couldn't contain my smile. "Mark, look!" I exclaimed, thrusting the phone toward him. His eyes widened in surprise as he took the device from my hand."You finally got into your dream university with your dream subject?" he asked, a note of incredulity in his voice. His reaction was priceless, his shock mirroring the disbelief I still felt. I nodded, tears of happiness welling up in my eyes. "Yes, I did. I know I couldn't make it to become a doctor like everyone else wanted, but I tried to follow my dreams and pursue what I truly love. I'm going to study English literature." The words felt like a confession, a vulnerable truth laid bare.Mark's expression softened, a mixture of pride and empathy lighting up his face. He looked at me with such understanding, a silent acknowledgment of the courage it took to chase my passion. "That's amazing, Evelyn. I'm so proud of you," he said, his voice steady and sincere. He reached out and pulled me into a hug, holding me close as if trying to convey all the support and love he felt.As we pulled apart, he looked at me with a determined glint in his eyes. "I'll talk to our parents," he promised, his tone resolute. "Whatever you study or choose, I'll always be by your side, and I'll always be proud of you. Don't worry about their expectations. What matters most is that you're happy and doing what you love."His words were a balm to my soul, soothing the lingering fears and insecurities. Mark had always been my anchor, the one who believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself. Knowing he had my back, even in this unconventional path, filled me with a newfound sense of confidence."I'm sorry," he continued, a hint of regret in his voice. "I'm sorry I didn't do enough for you before. I should have been there more, should have noticed what was going on with Anvir and everything else. But I promise you, from now on, I'll be better. I'll always be here for you."I reached out and squeezed his hand, a silent acknowledgment of the bond we shared. "Thank you, Mark. It means everything to me."He smiled, a gentle, reassuring smile that made me feel like everything would be okay.
The excitement from my acceptance into my dream university was too overwhelming to keep to myself. The first person who came to mind, aside from Mark, was my all-time supporter and best friend, Lucy. I couldn't wait to share the news with her. Without wasting a moment, I grabbed my things and headed straight to her house, eager to share my joy.As I approached her front door, it swung open, and there stood Lucy's mom, a woman as kind and warm-hearted as her daughter. Her smile widened when she saw me, and she immediately noticed my exuberant mood. "Evelyn, dear, what happened? You look so happy!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and affection.Unable to contain my excitement, I blurted out, "I finally got what I wanted! I've been accepted into my dream university to study English literature!" The words came out in a rush, and I could see the joy spreading across her face.Her reaction was priceless. "Oh, sweetheart, that's wonderful!" she , pulling me into a warm, motherly hug. Her excitement was contagious, her genuine happiness for me shining through. "We must celebrate this! You know how much you love my homemade cookies. I'll whip up a fresh batch right away!" I couldn't help but laugh, my heart swelling with affection for her. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Carter. You always know how to make me feel special."As she bustled into the kitchen, Lucy came down the stairs, drawn by the commotion. The moment she saw me, her face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Evelyn! What's going on?" she asked, her eyes dancing with anticipation.
I couldn't wait to tell her. "Lucy, I got in! I'm going to study English literature at my dream university!" The words felt surreal, yet saying them out loud made them all the more real.Lucy's response was instant and heartfelt. She let out a delighted squeal, rushing over to envelop me in a tight embrace. "That's amazing! I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed, her joy as genuine as her mother's. Her excitement was a balm to my soul, a reminder of how lucky I was to have such supportive people in my life. As we sat in the cozy living room, savoring the warm, delicious cookies Mrs. Carter had made, Lucy leaned in with a conspiratorial grin. "So, tell me everything about what happened with Christopher. I need all the details!"
I took a deep breath and launched into the story, recounting the surreal events of the previous night—Christopher's unexpected proposal, his sincere words, and the overwhelming emotions that had followed. Lucy listened intently, her eyes wide with fascination and curiosity. "You have to tell me what you're going to do," she urged, her voice filled with excitement and concern. "This is huge, Evelyn. How are you feeling about all of this?" I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation settle over me again. "I'm still processing everything. It's all so surreal. On one hand, I'm thrilled and flattered, but on the other hand, it's so sudden. And then there's Anvir... I don't know what to think."
Lucy reached out and squeezed my hand, her expression softening. "Whatever you decide, just know that we're all here for you. You deserve all the happiness in the world, Evelyn. Don't let anyone or anything hold you back." Her words were like a soothing balm, calming the storm of emotions swirling inside me. I smiled, grateful for her unwavering support.
We spent the rest of the afternoon laughing, chatting, and planning our hangout for the next day. It felt good to be surrounded by love and support, to know that no matter what happened, I had people who cared about me deeply. As I left the Carters' house, my heart felt lighter, and I knew that whatever the future held, I was ready to face it with courage and hope.