'You’re not saying that. We’ve barely started, Rafa. You can’t just... end it before it even begins.'

Her eyes softened, but she didn’t back down. 

“Azer, it’s not that simple. We’re family. Our parents... everything going on with them. It’s not the right time.”

'So what?' I snapped, my frustration building.

'Since when do we care about what they think? It’s always about them, about everyone else. What about us?"

“Azer, stop it!” 

she said, her voice rising. 

“You’re not listening! I don’t want to hurt you, but I need to be honest. We can’t do this right now.”

I glared at her, my chest tightening. 

'You just don’t care enough. You’re scared. You’re pushing me away because it’s easier!'

“That’s not true!” 

she shot back, her voice breaking. 

“I do care. But I can’t ignore everything else going on!”

I stood there, fists clenched, feeling the sting of her words but refusing to accept them. 

'You’re just giving up. You always give up.'

Her face fell, and for a moment, the hurt in her eyes made me regret what I said. But I couldn’t take it back.

Rafa shook her head, trying to keep her voice steady. 

“Azer, I’m not giving up. I just need time. Please... don’t make this harder.”

I turned away, my jaw clenched. 

'Whatever. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.'

“Azer, wait—” 

she reached out, trying to grab my arm, but I pulled away.

'I said, I don’t want to talk,'

I muttered, looking away from her.Before she could respond, we heard a sudden shout from downstairs.

"Everyone, come quickly! Big Brother is having a heart attack!"

My blood ran cold. That was my father’s voice. I didn’t need to think—instinct kicked in. I grabbed Rafa’s arm. 

'Let’s go!'

Her face had drained of color, and she froze for a moment before running after me down the stairs. Panic gripped the air as we reached the living room. My father was kneeling beside my uncle, who was clutching his chest, gasping for air.

“Hurry! Bring the car!” 

My father’s voice was shaking, something I’d never heard before.Rafa stood motionless, her eyes wide with terror as she stared at her father. I shook her gently. 

'Rafa! Snap out of it! We need to get him to the hospital!'

She blinked, tears welling up in her eyes as she nodded, and we rushed outside. We jumped on my bike and sped to the hospital. 

The wind whipped past us, but all I could think about was the ticking clock and Rafa, whose sobs were barely audible over the roar of the engine.

At the hospital, we rushed in, and the nurses took Uncle immediately. Rafa stood still, her face pale, her body trembling. She hadn’t cried yet, but I knew it was building up inside her.

'Rafa,'

I said softly, pulling her aside. 

'You don’t have to keep it all in. It’s okay to cry.'

She looked up at me, her tears finally spilling over. 

"I don’t want to lose him, Azer," she whispered, her voice breaking. 

"I don’t know what I’d do without him."

I opened my mouth to say something comforting, but the words felt stuck in my throat. I took a step closer, my heart pounding, torn between the fear of crossing a line and the need to be there for her in this moment of despair.

I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight as her sobs grew louder. My heart ached, but I stayed silent. Right now, all I could do was be there for her.

The Next Day

We had been at the hospital all night. Uncle had slipped into a coma. The doctors told us that a nerve was swollen and causing complications. If he didn’t wake up in three days, they’d have to operate.

Rafa hadn’t spoken much since the night before. She sat in the hospital café with me, staring at her cup of coffee, her eyes hollow. She looked like she was about to break.

“I feel like he’s not going to wake up,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. 

“What if... I never get to talk to him again?”

My heart sank. Words felt inadequate in the face of her despair. 

'We just have to wait,'

attempting to sound hopeful despite the same dread creeping into my own chest. 

'Let’s take it one step at a time.'

Rafa nodded slowly, wiping away her tears, but the worry in her eyes remained. I wished I could take her pain away, but all I could do was be present.

She nodded slowly, wiping away her tears, but the worry in her eyes didn’t fade.

Later That Day

The call came. Uncle had woken up. Relief washed over me, and when I looked at Rafa, she was crying again—this time with joy. She rushed to the balcony, a smile finally breaking through.I followed her out and placed my hand, gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with my thumb. 

'Why are you crying now, dummy?' I teased, my voice soft.

She smiled through her tears. "These are tears of joy, you idiot"

I couldn’t help but laugh, the absurdity of the moment cutting through the heaviness. But just as quickly, the laughter faded into confusion. 

I found it funny, yet a part of me twisted with the reminder of her rejection. How could I feel this lightness while still carrying the weight of my feelings for her?

For now, all that mattered was that Uncle was okay, and Rafa could finally breathe again.