Baekhyun

The drive to Hana's mother's apartment was a bit far. She lived down the city due to security purposes. It was strangely quiet in the car, and I know why. Hana didn't say a word but stared down at her fingers. I decided to wear my eyes today to prevent the old lady from getting scared.

"Do you need anything?" I asked, but she slowly shook her head to my question.

"I'm good." She muttered and focused her attention on the road, and I did the same too. 

My heart was bleeding in my chest, it was hurting me so much, but I just felt the need to ignore it. This is a decision I've made, I can't go back on my words, despite the pain and heartaches.

"Why?" Hana asked without looking at me.

"Huh?" 

"Why did you break off our relationship?" 

"That's because we never had one. That night I told you about our betrothment, your reaction said it all." I looked at her and when she did the same by staring at me, I continued. "My hands are tainted with blood, most people describe me as a heartless monster, but I will never force anyone to a fabricated lie called a relationship. I believe we all have a right to freedom, and that's what I've just done."

"Really?" Hana asked, looking directly at me. "You called our relationship a fabricated lie?"

"Of course, that's what it is. It's a mirage, an illusion. Nothing about it is real. You will never see me the way I see you, you will never love me the way I love you. It's just going to be a game of hurt and heartbreak and believe me Hana, I can't let that happen. I have too much to focus on right now."

"Oh," she cooed. "I was wrong all along. I was worried sick after saying those words to you that night, and when I didn't see you for days, I developed migraines. I was so scared and worried about you that I unknowingly fell in love with you. But I was such a fool." She averted her gaze to the street.

I can tell that she's hurting, but I can also tell that what she called love was nothing but pity, and , I refused to be pitied by others, anyone, not ever Hana.

"That's not love Hana, that's called pity and regret. What you feel right now is nothing but pity. and I hate it. I don't want to start up a relationship based on the foundation of pity and regret, believe me, you will run out of it yourself."

She stared at me, and this time around she nodded. "You know what, I think you're right. The right word I should have used was pity and not love. I felt bad for breaking my promise to you that night, that's why I wanted to see you so badly." She smiled as if nothing was wrong as if everything was okay. "But now my feelings have been cleared up, it was never love, but pity. I promise it won't happen again." She muttered and stared out through the window. 

Her words were hurting me deeply, but in the end, it's true, nothing but the truth. I was the only one in love and not Hana.

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

We finally arrived at Hana's mother's apartment. After our conversation neither of us said anything, rather we remained silent.

I turned off the engine and led Hana into the apartment.

The moment the elderly lady sighted me, she smiled and spread her arms wide open to embrace me.

"It's been so long since you visited, are you well?"

"Of course mom, I'm good." I smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Mom I've brought your daughter Hana to you," I looked towards the door and I heaved a deep sigh. This was the final goodbye. Once I leave this apartment, Hana will never be mine again.

"Please come to Hana." My heart was heavy when I mentioned that name, but I guess it's meant to happen in the end.

She made her way into the apartment, and the moment she saw her mother, both mother and daughter had tears streaming down their eyes.

"Mom." Hana only muttered once before the big embrace took place. They both cried in each other's embrace and it was really beautiful to behold.

I was glad, bu