With Amma's colourful paintings adorning the walls, the gallery was a hive of activity. As people mixed and gazed at the striking brushstrokes and vibrant colours that appeared to pop off the canvases, a gentle buzz of discussion permeated the room. Amma observed the crowd from the corner, her heart racing. The result of years of sacrifice and hard work, this was her moment. But rather than being thrilled, she experienced a tightening knot of anxiety in her chest.
"Amma!" Mary's voice broke through her thoughts, and she turned to see her best friend weaving through the crowd, a glass of champagne in each hand. "You're a star! Everyone's talking about your work."
Amma forced a smile, taking the glass Mary offered. "Thanks, Mary. I just… I can't believe this is really happening."
Mary grinned, clinking her glass against Amma's. "Believe it, girl. You deserve this."
Amma took a sip of the champagne, the bubbles doing little to calm her nerves. Her eyes scanned the room, landing on Alex, who was deep in conversation with a group of guests. His smile was effortless and self-assured, and he looked good in his fitted suit. However, there was a shade that persisted even at the brightest times, a distance in his gaze that had never been there before.
The last several weeks had flown by. Amma felt like she was always on edge because she was juggling the exhibition preparations with the increasing hostility with Alex. Alex had been more shaken by Daniel's return than he had admitted, and despite his attempts to reassure her, Amma couldn't get rid of the uneasy feeling she had.
"Hey," Mary said, nudging her gently. "You okay? You look like you're about to bolt."
Amma sighed, setting her glass down on a nearby table. "I'm fine. Just… a lot on my mind."
Mary's expression softened. "Alex?"
Amma nodded, her gaze drifting back to him. "He's been so distant lately. I know he's dealing with a lot, but… I feel like he's shutting me out."
Mary squeezed her arm. "Give him time, Amma. He's been through a lot. But if he's worth it, he'll come around."
Amma nodded, though the doubt still lingered. She wanted to believe Mary, but she was always worried about losing Alex.
---
As the evening went on, Amma was drawn into innumerable discussions, with her paintings taking front stage. Her chest tensed, and the overwhelming praise did little to relieve it. Just as she was going to excuse herself for a little alone time, she was startled by a voice she recognised.
"Amma."
When she turned and found Jones standing in front of her, her heart skipped a beat. His crisp suit and self-assured manner contrasted sharply with the turbulence in her breast, and he appeared as polished as ever.
"Jones," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "What are you doing here?"
Jones smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I couldn't miss your big night. Congratulations, by the way. Your work is… stunning."
Amma's chest tightened as she searched his face for any hint of malice. But there was none—just a quiet sadness that mirrored her own.
"Thank you," she said softly. "I… I didn't think you'd come."
Jones shrugged, his gaze drifting to the paintings behind her. "I wanted to see you. To see this. You've always had a gift, Amma. I'm glad you're finally sharing it with the world."
Amma's throat tightened, her emotions a tangled mess. She'd spent so long trying to forget Jones, to move on from the life they'd almost had. But seeing him here, now, brought all those feelings rushing back.
"Jones, I…" she began, but the words caught in her throat.
Jones looked at her, his expression softening. "You don't have to say anything, Amma. I just wanted you to know that I'm proud of you. Additionally, I apologise. For everything.
Amma blinked away the tears that welled up in her eyes. "I'm grateful, Jones. That means a lot.
Jones nodded and continued to stare at her for a time before turning and leaving, vanishing into the crowd.
---
Amma's thoughts were spinning as she stood there. She felt raw after the experience with Jones, her emotions in a jumbled mess. She needed time to gather her thoughts and take a deep breath. The street's silence stood in sharp contrast to the gallery's cacophony as she stepped outside into the refreshing night air.
Leaning against the wall, she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. She was startled out of her reverie by the sound of footsteps, and when she opened her eyes, Alex was walking towards her with an enigmatic look.
His voice was gentle as he said, "Hey." "You okay?"
Amma nodded, though her chest was tight with emotion. "Yeah. Just… needed some air."
Alex stepped closer, his eyes searching hers. "I saw you talking to Jones."
Amma's heart skipped a beat. "It wasn't… it wasn't what you think. He just wanted to congratulate me."
Alex's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "I believe you. I just… I don't like seeing him here. Not after everything."
Amma's chest ached at the pain in his voice. "I know. But he's a part of my past, Alex. And I am unable to alter that.
With a mixture of terror and love in his eyes, Alex gazed at her. "Amma, I just don't want to lose you. Not to him. Not to anybody.
Amma's heart grew heavy as she sought for his hand. "Alex, you won't. I swear.
Warm and comforting, Alex drew her into his hug. However, Amma couldn't get rid of the sensation that the ghosts of their past were still very much present as they stood there, encircled by one another.
---
With the tension between Amma and Alex looming like a thunder cloud on the horizon, the remainder of the evening flew by. Amma was emotionally spent by the time the final visitor had departed and the gallery was silent. She stood in the middle of the room, looking around the empty room. Once a part of her, the paintings now seemed far away, remnants of a life she was no longer certain she recognised.
"Amma."
Alex was standing in the doorway with a gentle expression on his face when she turned around. "Are you prepared to leave?"
Despite having a sorrowful heart, Amma nodded. Indeed. Let's leave.
The twilight hung between them as they strolled silently back to her flat. Alex glanced at her as they entered, a silent resolve shining in his eyes.
"Amma," he stated in a hard yet gentle voice. "I have something to tell you."
As Amma gazed at him, her chest constricted. "What is it?"
Gazing down at his hands, Alex inhaled deeply. "I've been considering us a lot. regarding all of the events that have occurred. And I... I have to leave for a bit.
Amma's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
Alex looked at her, his eyes filled with pain. "I need to figure some things out, Amma. About my past, about Daniel. About… me. I can't keep running from it. And I can't keep dragging you into it."
Amma's chest ached as she searched his face. "Alex, you don't have to do this alone. We can face it together."
Alex shook his head, his voice breaking. "I can't, Amma. Not this time. I need to do this for myself. For us."
Tears filled Amma's eyes as she reached for him, her heart breaking. "How long will you be gone?"
Alex pulled her into his arms, his embrace tight and desperate. "I don't know. But I'll come back to you, Amma. I promise."
Amma clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt. She wanted to believe him, to trust that he'd come back. But the fear of losing him, of being left behind, was a weight she wasn't sure she could bear.
As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Amma realized that sometimes, love meant letting go. And as much as it hurt, she knew she had to trust Alex to find his way back to her.