Beyond the game

Azra walked slowly back to their suite after hanging up the phone with Jamal. The tropical breeze from the open balcony door brushed against her skin, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside her. Her mind was racing, her thoughts a jumbled mess as she replayed Jamal's words over and over again in her head.

It was just a bet?

She had never thought of Yuzarsif as someone who would use her heart for something like that. Sure, the beginning of their relationship had been unconventional, but she had believed in him, in them. She had trusted him with her emotions, with her feelings.

But now, all of that felt like a lie. The foundation of their relationship felt cracked, and Azra wasn't sure what to do with the weight of this revelation.

Entering the suite, Azra's eyes wandered over to Yuzarsif, who was sitting by the window, gazing out at the breathtaking view of the ocean. He had always made her feel safe, secure, but now… now everything felt different.

Yuzarsif turned his head as he saw Azra enter. He immediately noticed the change in her demeanor. The vibrant energy that had marked their time together in Hawaii seemed to have dissipated. Her shoulders were slumped, her usual spark was gone, and her eyes lacked the warmth they once held.

He frowned, standing up and walking over to her. "Azra, is everything okay? You seem... off."

Azra forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. She didn't want to burden him with the truth—not yet. Not until she had figured everything out. She shook her head lightly. "It's nothing. Really, everything's fine."

Yuzarsif studied her, his eyes narrowing with concern. He didn't believe her for a second. Something was definitely wrong. But he didn't press further, knowing Azra well enough to understand that when she said everything was fine, it usually meant the opposite.

"I just… I think I want to go back home," Azra said, her voice quieter than usual.

Yuzarsif's brow furrowed. "Back home? But we just got here, Azra. We've only been in Hawaii for a few days. Is there something wrong? Are you sure everything's alright?"

Azra hesitated, her chest tightening. She didn't want to talk about it—not now, not with him. She wasn't ready to confront it, and she wasn't sure if she ever would be.

"Yes, everything's fine," she insisted, though the words felt hollow. "I just… I think I'm ready to go home. That's all."

Yuzarsif studied her for a moment longer, his intuition telling him that something was off, but he didn't want to push her. He had learned over time that Azra wasn't one to share her thoughts easily, especially when she was troubled. If she wasn't ready to talk, he'd respect that.

With a sigh, he nodded, though his concern was evident in his eyes. "Alright. If that's what you want."

Azra gave him a small, forced smile, appreciating his understanding even though it only deepened her sense of guilt. She knew she was being distant, cold, but she couldn't help it. She needed time to process everything. She needed to figure out what to do with this new reality.

Yuzarsif walked over to the desk, pulling out his phone and immediately starting to look for flights. He didn't ask any more questions—he just did what he knew was best for her, even if she wasn't ready to open up.

Azra walked to the window, her eyes staring out at the expansive horizon, though her mind was far from the beauty of the view. She couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal, even though she knew it wasn't entirely Yuzarsif's fault. He hadn't been the one to tell her, after all. But he had still been a part of it.

And now, she had to figure out what it all meant for their future.

She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the cool glass. What if this was just a game for him? What if I was just part of the bet, like Jamal said?

"Azra…" Yuzarsif's voice broke through her thoughts, and she turned to face him. He was holding his phone, the screen showing flight options. "I've found some tickets. We can leave tomorrow."

Azra nodded, her heart heavy with unspoken words. "Thanks."

Yuzarsif watched her closely for a moment longer before setting the phone down. He could feel the tension in the room, the distance between them growing with every passing second. But he didn't know how to bridge that gap—not without her opening up to him.

He wanted to ask her what was really going on, but he knew better than to push her too hard. Azra had always been fiercely independent, and when something was wrong, she'd deal with it in her own time. He just hoped that time would come soon.

As he began to make arrangements for their return, Azra stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the ocean below. The waves crashed against the shore, rhythmic and constant, but in her heart, she felt anything but steady.

What now? she wondered. What happens to us?

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