Beyond the game

Yuzarsif stood outside Azra's apartment, his heart pounding in his chest. He had spent the entire night in torment, unable to sleep, unable to think about anything other than Azra's cold demeanor, her distant eyes, the way she had brushed him off like he meant nothing to her. He had tried calling her countless times—no answer. He had sent messages, hoping, praying she would respond—nothing.

Now, standing before her door, he felt an unfamiliar sensation creeping into his chest—fear. Real fear. Fear that he had lost her. Fear that the one woman who had changed everything for him would never forgive him.

He raised his hand to knock, but before he could, the door swung open. Rahma stood there, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

"You shouldn't be here, Yuzarsif," she said, her voice calm but firm.

"I need to talk to her," he pleaded. "Please, Rahma. I just need her to hear me out."

Rahma sighed and stepped outside, shutting the door behind her. "She won't talk to you right now," she said. "She hasn't even left her room since we got back."

Yuzarsif felt a sharp pain in his chest at those words. He knew she was hurting, but hearing it confirmed made it even worse. "I need to fix this," he said desperately. "I need her to know that—yes, it started as a bet—but it became real. My love for her is real."

Rahma studied him for a long moment, as if trying to decide whether to believe him or not. "You should have told her the truth yourself, Yuzarsif. Instead, she had to hear it from someone else. Do you have any idea how much that hurt her?"

Yuzarsif clenched his fists. "I know," he said, his voice laced with regret. "I swear, I was going to tell her. I just… I was scared. Scared of losing her. Scared that she would never believe me." He took a deep breath, his voice breaking slightly. "But I swear to you, Rahma, I love her. More than anything. I'd rather hurt myself than ever hurt her."

Rahma softened slightly at his words, but the tension in her expression remained. "Do you?" she asked. "Because right now, all she sees is betrayal."

"I don't care what it takes," Yuzarsif said. "I'll do anything to prove it to her. Just… please, talk to her for me. Tell her I love her. Tell her I never meant to hurt her. Tell her she means everything to me."

Rahma let out a long sigh. "I don't know if she's ready to hear it," she admitted. "But I'll try."

Yuzarsif exhaled, nodding, though his heart remained heavy. He wanted to be the one to tell Azra. He wanted to see her, to beg for her forgiveness, to hold her and never let go. But right now, all he could do was hope.

"Thank you, Rahma," he said sincerely.

Rahma nodded. "You should go now," she said. "Give her time."

Yuzarsif hesitated for a moment, as if hoping the door would open and Azra would come out. But she didn't.

With a heavy heart, he turned and walked away, his steps slow and reluctant. He had never felt so powerless in his life. But one thing was certain—he wasn't giving up on Azra. Not now. Not ever.

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