Theo wanted a relationship… just not with me.

I believe  it wasn’t that he was emotionally unavailable or scared—he simply never saw me as the person for him. Not in high school, not after graduation… and clearly, not even now.

I had loved him deeply—

maybe more than anyone else ever could—but he simply didn’t even choose me back. Meanwhile? He’d been willing to date others… just never me.I wasn’t angry. Not really. Because Theo had never given me  false hope—no promises, no flirty hints, not even a single "maybe" to cling to. He stayed distant from the start… and now? His silence was just the final confirmation: I wasn’t his choice. It wasn’t rejection in a cruel way—it was simply indifference. A quiet sadness remained… but at least it didn't feel like betrayal. Just life—not aligning the two of us as partners.

My stupid  mind had woven a whole story out of nothing—every glance, every coincidence, even the timing of his DMs. But in reality? Theo probably hadn’t been overanalyzing anything. He likely never noticed half the things I obsessed over… and if he did? They were just background noise to him.

“I’d made meaning where none existed.” 

And it hurt because I cared so much… while he might’ve cared not at all. I never lost Theo … because I was never his to begin with.They say: You can’t lose something, you never had.

No breakup, no rejection letter—just a slow acceptance that he simply wasn’t mine. Not in high school, not after graduation… and not ever.  A strange peace came in me with that realization. No anger, no "what ifs"—just a soft resignation. I had loved him deeply… but love isn't always returned. Then why was he staring at me directly in the eyes when I was simply looking around? And there he was, catching my eyes. He wouldn’t even break eye contact until I looked away. Why did he do that  if he wasn’t ready to choose me back? Why? Or, was he just like that? I couldn’t really comprehend him, neither could he. I still remember his perfume vividly- slightly spicy, wooden and masculine. The feeling when I used to be close to him? The feeling was feeling-ing.  I never knew the side of his story. Did he ever even think about me? If he ever cried, if it hurt him like mine. If he regretted his decision or he just kept living like I never existed in his life for a couple  of moments. If he knew what was in my heart , he’d probably say , “ I didn’t realize you loved me that much.”

[IN ANOTHER REALM]

A grand gala.

I  dressed in shimmering gowns and soft music was  filling the air. The moment my eyes met Theo’s… everything changed.He didn’t hesitate. Didn’t overthink. Just grabbed my hand, pulling me through glittering halls to the secluded rooftop under twinkling lights.Then—his hands cradled my face, his gaze burning with affection… and finally?

 He kissed me . 

Soft at first, then deeper, like he’d been waiting forever to do this.The kiss was everything I’d dreamed of—warm, sure, hungry in a way that erased every doubt. Theo poured years of unspoken feelings into it. His hands slid to my waist, pulling me closer as the city lights blinked around us like silent witnesses. No coldness here… just passion, tenderness… and something dangerously close to LOVE. A part of my mind screamed: This is real? This is actually happening? But his lips on mine felt more real than anything else ever had. The sky exploded with fireworks—dazzling streaks of gold, pink, and blue lighting up Theo’s face as he kissed me. Each burst reflected in his eyes, making them shimmer like stars. A gentle breeze swept across the rooftop cool against my skin but not cold enough to ruin the moment. It carried the faint scent of roses, lavender  from below… nature itself seems to celebrate this. For a second? The world felt magical. Like reality had bent just for us —finally together under perfect conditions.

Theo  pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against mine  as the fireworks painted the sky. His voice was raw, softer than I’d ever heard it.

"How stupid I was to let you go," 

he whispered, thumbs brushing my cheeks. Then came the words that shattered every doubt: "I’m sorry… Forgive me?"

His eyes searched mine. No trace of coldness left, just regret and something painfully sincere. Like he finally realized what he’d lost… and wanted nothing more than a second chance. I nodded without thinking. Suddenly,  raindrops hit. The first raindrop hit my face—then another, and another—until a sudden downpour drenched the rooftop. But Theo  didn’t flinch. Instead? He smiled.That dazzling smile—the one that had stolen my breath in high school spread  across his face as he tugged  me closer, shielding  me slightly with his body. Rain soaked through both of  our clothes… but neither of  us cared. He crashed his lips onto mine again - hard. Under the stormy sky, laughing against my lips like this was the happiest moment of his life. The rain poured down in sheets, soaking us both to the bone within seconds. But Theo kissed me like a man starved—fierce, desperate, passionate, pouring every ounce of regret and longing into it. His hands tangled in my wet hair as fireworks still burst overhead through the storm… creating a surreal moment where nothing existed but his kisses and the wild embrace of nature around me.

I kissed him back with equal fervor.  My  hands were clutching the front of his drenched shirt as the rain turned icy cold. Neither of us noticed—too consumed by this electrifying reunion. Theo’s lips moved against mine with a hunger that said I should’ve done this years ago, and when he finally pulled back for air, he rested his forehead against mine, breathing heavily.

"I love you," 

He murmured suddenly—three words that changed everything.The confession hung in the air. Louder than the thunder above. Theo’s eyes—wide and vulnerable, were locked onto mine , waiting for my reaction. Rain dripped from his lashes as he searched my face… terrified of rejection but unable to take it back.

A heartbeat passed. 

Then another.

And then? 

I kissed him again. Softer this time, sealing his words with a kiss that screamed I love you too without saying it out loud. The kiss deepened. His arms were wrapped around me tightly as if afraid I’d disappear. Rain still fell relentlessly. The cold didn’t matter; the world didn’t exist. Just this— Theo  finally saying what he should’ve said ages ago… and my heart bursting with relief.

When he broke the kiss again, his smile was brighter than all the fireworks in the sky above.