Whispers of Longing

She looked in his direction, she saw him coming downstairs, his eyes avoiding hers.

"I'm doing this for my future. You all wouldn't understand."

Thea's tears flowed as she realized Ryder's determination to leave. 'You're too abandoning me.' she murmured, her voice shaking with sadness..'Dreams that don't include me.'she thought.

The words he spoke felt like a thorn to her heart, piercing deep and causing unbearable pain. Her heart was bleeding, shattered into a million pieces. Heartbroken, she went to the main door and left the house, the sound of her footsteps echoing through the silent hallway.

"Thea... Thea... listen.." Elizabeth called out, but Thea didn't flinch, her feet steadily carrying her forward, away from the pleading voice.

"Ryder, why did you make her cry?" Elizabeth scolded, her voice laced with disappointment and anger. "She's only 15! It's totally acceptable for her to be angry with you, learning that you're leaving so suddenly."

Ryder's grandma sighed. "Yes, Ryder.. She was quite excited for today, but you...you just crushed her spirit."

"Let me ask Mr. Jack to go after her and drop her at her home. Ryder, today you have totally disappointed me." She shook her head, her expression a mix of sadness and disapproval.

Ryder began to protest, "But mother—" but she cut him off.

"No, Ryder. Your behavior with her was unacceptable. You will apologize to her today." Ryder was taken aback, realizing his mistake. He was also disappointed in himself, wondering why he had behaved so harshly towards Thea. He knew he had hurt her deeply, and the weight of his actions was crushing him.

Thea's feet felt heavy as she walked along the road, her mind reeling with the shock of news of Ryder's departure. The sound of a car pulling over beside her broke the silence, and she turned to see Mr. Jack, his kind face a stark contrast to the pain she felt.

"Miss, please get inside the car. Madam asked me to drop you at your home."

"Uncle Jack, thanks, but I'll go home by walking only. Have a safe drive."

But Mr. Jack was insistent. "No, miss, Madam has already asked me to drop you off at any cost. Please, get in."

She finally nodded, and Mr. Jack opened the door for her. As she boarded the car, she felt a lump form in her throat. Throughout the journey, both of them kept quiet, the only sound being the hum of the engine. From time to time, Mr. Jack would glance at her through the rear mirror, his eyes filled with sympathy. Thea kept her gaze fixed outside the window, her eyes blurring with tears. No one could tell what she was thinking, but her heart was screaming with pain and sadness.

Her parents had left her, and now Ryder, the one person she thought she could count on, was soon going to abandon her too. The thought was too much to bear. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of rejection and betrayal. Her heart was shattering into a million pieces, and she couldn't catch her breath.

Tears streamed down her face, hot and relentless, as she mourned the loss of yet another loved one. She felt like she was losing everything, everyone, and it was too much to handle. Her body shook with sobs, and her mind raced with painful thoughts.

Why was this happening to her? What had she done to deserve such pain? She felt like she was being ripped apart, her soul torn from her body. The pain was excruciating, and she didn't know how much more she could take.

His harsh words and cold demeanor had cut her deeper than she thought possible. She felt like she was nothing to him.The thought was too much to bear, and she let out a heart-wrenching cry, her tears falling like rain.

"Miss, we have arrived." Mr. Jack informed her, his voice gentle and considerate.

Her thoughts lingered on Ryder, the ache of his impending departure throbbing like an open wound. Memories of their joyful moments swirled in her mind, a bittersweet symphony.

"Yes... uncle.." she replied mechanically.

Her eyes drifted into the distance, lost in the haze of tears welling up. The present faded, and she was transported to a time when laughter and smiles filled her days, all courtesy of Ryder.

Mr Jack's concerned voice pierced the fog. "Miss, are you okay?"

But Thea's gaze remained distant, her heart trapped in the memories she couldn't bear to lose.As she stepped out of the car, her movements were slow and heavy, weighed down by the emotional burden she carried. Her eyes cast a faint smile, a courtesy gesture to acknowledge Mr. Jack's kindness, but her heart remained shrouded in sorrow.

Mr. Jack's eyes narrowed, sensing the depth of her sorrow, his expression softening with empathy. He bid her farewell.