Distant Hearts

Anna stood rooted to the spot, her mind reeling from the weight of Ken's words. Shock and disbelief coursed through her veins, leaving her speechless and immobile.

As she grappled with the flood of emotions that threatened to engulf her, Ken strode past her and settled into the passenger seat of Porsche's car.

Without a backward glance, they drove away, leaving Anna standing alone, her mind awash with tumultuous thoughts.

Taylor's concerned voice broke through the haze that clouded her senses, and she turned to face him, mustering a faint smile as she reassured him of her well-being.

They began to walk towards the bus stop, their footsteps echoing in the quiet surroundings. Anna remained lost in her thoughts, her mind burdened with the weight of the encounter.

Seated on the bench, waiting for the bus, Taylor's inquisitive voice penetrated the silence. "You never told me that you have a best friend," he remarked, his gaze fixed on Anna, waiting for an explanation.

Anna sat silently, grappling with the storm of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

Taylor persisted, a note of concern lacing his words as he probed further, "What happened to you guys?" Anna hesitated, the words caught in her throat as she grappled with the complexities of her past.

Before she could share more, the arrival of the bus interrupted their conversation. "I think it's late now.

I'll see you tomorrow," Anna murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, her gaze fixed on the approaching bus.

Taylor watched as Anna left, her figure gradually disappearing into the distance.

The weight of her troubles was palpable, and he couldn't help but worry about her well-being as he waited for the next bus.

Meanwhile, Anna's mind was consumed by thoughts of Porsche, her heart heavy with the weight of their unresolved relationship.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she grappled with the complexities of her emotions.

She desperately longed to be with him, yet circumstances seemed to conspire against their reunion.

Despite her attempts to move on, her thoughts inevitably circled back to Porsche, a persistent presence in her mind.

As she finally arrived home, the familiar surroundings failed to provide the comfort she sought.

Instead, memories of the harrowing day she was held hostage by Josh in her own home came rushing back, sending shivers down her spine.

Fear gripped her, and she was overcome by a surge of cold sweats. Gasping for breath, she hurried to the kitchen, her hands trembling as she reached for a glass of water.

The cool liquid spilled over her hands as she struggled to calm herself, the trauma of the past refusing to loosen its grip on her.

Anna's hands trembled as she nervously brushed her hair back. Tears streamed down her face, and her labored breathing conveyed the depth of her pain.

Despite her shaking hands, she managed to dial Ken's number, seeking solace in her distress. Unaware that the call was on speaker, Ken answered while Porsche drove the car, inadvertently allowing Porsche to hear Anna's tearful voice.

Reacting swiftly, Ken switched the call to the earpiece, shielding Porsche from the conversation.

Confused, Porsche looked to Ken for an explanation, questioning if it was indeed Anna on the line. Ken remained silent, straining to comprehend Anna's distressed words as she pleaded for his presence, clearly in need of his support.

Ken assured Anna that he would come soon, attempting to offer her some comfort.

Porsche, sensing Ken's tension, inquired about the call, questioning why Anna had reached out to Ken. Ken, reluctant to worry Porsche, brushed it off as a call from a friend, not Anna.

Frustrated, Porsche refused to believe it was anyone else, having recognized Anna's distressed voice. Pressing for the truth, Porsche demanded to know why Anna sounded so upset.

Ken, with a heavy heart, confessed that Anna was indeed struggling and needed someone to talk to. Without another word, Porsche abruptly swerved the car, directing it toward Anna's home, leaving Ken to silently accompany him on the unexpected journey.

Upon arriving at Anna's house, Porsche hastily entered, deeply concerned about her.

Ken opted to stay in the car, allowing them some privacy. Inside, Porsche discovered Anna sitting on the kitchen floor, her face buried in her legs.

He gently approached her, tenderly brushing her hair with his hands. Anna was taken aback as she lifted her head and found Porsche before her.

She gazed at him, speechless. Porsche quietly wiped her tears and helped her to her feet, guiding her to the living room. In the stillness, Ken eventually entered the house. Anna looked at him and rose, reminding him that she had only called for him.

Porsche interjected, questioning why she was subjecting herself to such distress. He grasped her hand, attempting to turn her toward him, and pleaded, "Please, tell me what's wrong." Anna, looking at him, insisted, "It's nothing, I'm fine."

Porsche then pulled her closer, asking, "Then what was that? You were crying so desperately. You don't even know how worried I was."

Anna moved away from Porsche, keeping her gaze down. "I called Ken by mistake. I'm sorry," she explained. "I didn't mean to disturb you guys. You can leave."

Porsche angrily shoved her and stormed out of the house. Ken, still standing there, looked at Anna with confusion. Her eyes were still red from crying.

Rubbing his forehead, Ken appeared worried about Porsche. "Anna," he called, catching her attention.

Anna looked at him, and he continued, "You need to be careful." Anna stared at Ken, who seemed serious.

He added, "I never wanted to tell you this, but I think you need to hear it."

Anna grew increasingly concerned and asked, "What is it?"

Ken replied, "Porsche, actually Porsche's head got badly injured due to the accident." Anna's eyes widened in shock and worry.

Her heart began beating rapidly as Ken continued, "When he went into coma, the doctor told me that he might not wake up soon, but thanks to God and his mother's prayers, he woke up after one week"

He added, "And the first thing he asked for after waking up was you."

Anna felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and worry.

Ken further explained, "He's still recovering from the brain injury, and he faints from time to time.I try to be with him most of the time, but he is recovering at a good rate."

Overwhelmed, Anna collapsed onto the couch, speechless. She felt a mix of guilt, sadness, loneliness, and despair.

As Ken left, Anna murmured to herself, tears filling her eyes, "We should never meet again so that you can recover peacefully. I am sorry, Porsche."