Beyond the game

The world outside Azra's room kept moving—cars honked, birds chirped, life went on as usual—but inside, her world had collapsed.

For three days, she had confined herself to the darkness of her bedroom, barely moving, barely breathing. The air was thick with unspoken pain, her bed soaked in the tears she had shed, and her heart was nothing more than a shattered, bleeding wound.

She had trusted Yuzarsif with everything. She had given him her heart, her love, her soul—only to find out that their entire relationship had started as a bet.

A cruel, heartless bet.

Her body trembled as she curled deeper into the sheets, her head pounding from dehydration, her lips cracked from neglect. The food Rahma had left outside her door remained untouched. The knocking, the pleading, the calls—she had ignored them all.

She couldn't face Rahma. She couldn't face anyone.

She wasn't just heartbroken. She was ruined.

Everything felt like a lie. Every hug, every kiss, every whispered promise—was it all just a part of his game? Did he ever really love her? Or was she just another win in whatever cruel game he and his friends played?

I hate him.

She wanted to hate Yuzarsif. She wanted to erase every memory of him. But even now, as her body ached from exhaustion, all she could think about was him. His warmth, his touch, the way he had held her as if she was the only woman in the world.

Was it all a lie?

Or had he actually fallen for her?

No! She shook her head violently, as if shaking away the thoughts. She couldn't allow herself to think like that. He had broken her trust. He had shattered her completely.

And she would never forgive him for it.

---

Outside Azra's Room

Rahma stood outside the door, her hands clenched into fists, her heart aching for her best friend.

She had never seen Azra like this before.

Azra had always been strong—arrogant at times, proud, unshakable. But now? Now she was a ghost of the woman Rahma knew.

The last three days had been torture. Rahma had tried everything—talking, texting, even slipping notes under the door—but Azra refused to respond.

She hadn't eaten.

She hadn't slept properly.

Rahma could hear the faint, muffled sounds of crying every night, and it broke her heart.

Damn you, Yuzarsif.

She had believed him when he came to her, desperate, pleading. He had claimed that yes, the relationship had started as a bet, but he had truly fallen for Azra. That he loved her more than anything.

But did that even matter now?

Azra was suffering.

And Rahma was running out of ways to help her.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked again, softer this time. "Azra… please. Just open the door. Let me see you. I won't ask you to talk if you're not ready. Just… let me be here for you."

Silence.

And then—

A soft shuffle.

Rahma's heart leapt. Is she finally coming out?

For the first time in three days, the door creaked open.

Azra stood there, her face pale, her eyes sunken, her lips dry and cracked. Her hair was messy, and her body seemed even thinner than before.

Rahma barely had time to react before Azra suddenly swayed.

"Azra!"

Everything happened too fast. One moment, Azra was standing, and the next, she collapsed to the floor.

Panic surged through Rahma as she rushed to her, shaking her gently.

"Azra! Wake up!"

No response.

Rahma's hands trembled as she grabbed her phone, her voice shaking as she called for an ambulance.

She didn't know what was wrong. Was it exhaustion? Starvation? Stress?

All she knew was that she needed to get Azra to a hospital—now.

---

At the Hospital

The smell of antiseptic and the steady beeping of machines filled the room.

Azra's eyelids felt heavy as she slowly drifted back into consciousness. The harsh hospital lights stung her eyes, and she groaned softly.

"You're awake!"

Rahma's relieved voice made her turn her head slightly. She was sitting by the bedside, gripping her hand tightly.

"Azra, you scared the hell out of me," Rahma said, her voice thick with emotion. "You fainted. I had to bring you here."

Azra blinked slowly, her body feeling weak. "I… fainted?"

"Yes," Rahma said. "Azra, you haven't been eating or drinking anything for days. Your body couldn't take it anymore."

Azra sighed, closing her eyes again. She didn't have the energy for this conversation. She just wanted to sleep.

But then—

Rahma hesitated before speaking again, her grip on Azra's hand tightening. "Azra… the doctor ran some tests."

Something in her tone made Azra's stomach twist.

She forced herself to open her eyes, meeting Rahma's gaze. "Tests?"

Rahma took a deep breath. "You're… you're pregnant."

Boom.

Azra's mind went blank.

She stared at Rahma, unable to process the words. "W-What?"

Rahma nodded, her eyes filled with both concern and shock. "Azra, you're pregnant."

Pregnant.

The word echoed in her mind, over and over.

Pregnant.

She placed a shaky hand on her stomach, her body trembling. There was a life growing inside her.

Yuzarsif's child.

A sob bubbled up in her throat. This was too much. The heartbreak, the betrayal, and now this?

What am I going to do?

Her hands clenched the hospital blanket, her breathing uneven.

Rahma stood up and sat beside her on the bed, rubbing her back gently. "Azra… listen to me. You don't have to figure everything out right now. Just breathe."

Azra let out a shaky breath, wiping her tears.

Pregnant.

This changed everything.

She wasn't just responsible for herself anymore. There was an innocent life inside her now.

A child.

His child.

A fresh wave of pain surged through her. She didn't want to think about Yuzarsif. She didn't want to associate him with this baby. But how could she not?

What if he finds out?

Would he want to be involved? Would he fight for their child?

Did she even want him to be?

So many thoughts. So many emotions. She felt like she was drowning.

Rahma squeezed her hand. "Whatever you decide to do, I'm with you. You're not alone, Azra."

Azra let out a choked sob, clinging to Rahma like a lifeline.

She wasn't ready for this.

She didn't know what to do.

But one thing was clear—nothing would ever be the same again.

---