---
In the Dress Changing Room
The Dress shop buzzed with laughter and conversation, the scent of perfume and fabric steam thick in the air. Ameya stepped out from Jenna's dressing room, adjusting her hair and breathing out softly.
Just as she turned, a strong hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the adjacent dressing room.
"Wha—!" she gasped, but before she could scream, a palm covered her mouth. Her eyes widened in shock until she saw his face.
"Don't scream," Rico whispered urgently, his breath close. "It's me."
Ameya froze for a second, her heart pounding. Rico slowly removed his hand.
"What are you doing?" she hissed. "Your fiancée is standing outside! Are you out of your mind?"
"I know," Rico said, his voice low, pained. "But I don't get another chance if I don't talk to you now."
Ameya folded her arms, silent, avoiding his eyes.
"Are you okay with SuperNova disbanding?" Rico asked softly.
Ameya gave a faint smile, forcing lightness into her tone. "Every group has to disband one day. It's not a big deal."
"Really?" he said, stepping closer. "I know you, Ameya. You gave everything to SuperNova. Don't pretend it doesn't hurt."
Ameya looked up at him then, eyes glimmering but calm. "We can't always decide what we want, Rico. Some things are uncontrollable."
Her voice was soft, but the emotion in it echoed like a slow ache in his heart.
Rico stayed silent. The words wrapped around him, heavy with what was lost.
"You could've asked me all this in front of everyone," Ameya said, breaking the moment. "Why sneak here?"
"I didn't come only for that," Rico said quietly. "Don't you want an explanation… why I broke up with you?"
Ameya paused. Her lips trembled slightly, but she spoke evenly. "Is that necessary now? You're about to get engaged—to another girl."
Rico turned her by the wrist, desperate. "I know you're angry with me, but—"
"I know," Ameya cut him off. Her eyes met his, steady. "It was for your mother, right?"
Rico froze, guilt flashing across his face.
Ameya smiled faintly, bittersweet. "It all ended there, Rico. Don't bother me again."
She turned and walked out, leaving Rico standing alone, staring after her, his chest tight with unspoken words.
Outside, Ameya bumped into Alice, who looked surprised.
"Hey—what happened? You're sweating," Alice asked, raising a brow.
"It's nothing," Ameya said quickly, forcing a smile.
Alice nodded, then started toward the dressing rooms. "I'm looking for Jenna—"
Ameya stiffened. "Wait! That door… it doesn't close properly!...No...i mean....Jenna in that room...not in this room" she blurted.
Alice frowned. "Oh..,okey" She walked straight to Jenna's door and knocked. "Jenna? Are you ready?"
Ameya held her breath.
When Alice turned to check her phone, Rico slipped quietly out from the other dressing room.
Ameya gestured hurriedly. "Go. Fast."
Rico nodded once and disappeared down the hallway. Alice didn't notice a thing.
Ameya exhaled deeply, her heart still racing.
---
Fifteen Minutes Later
The atmosphere brightened as Jenna stepped out wearing her engagement dress—a flowing ivory gown with silver embroidery that shimmered under the lights.
"Is this good on me?" she asked nervously.
Alice smiled warmly. "Perfect. You look stunning."
Michael nodded. "Yeah. It suits you."
"Then take a photo!" Jenna giggled.
Michael lifted his phone and clicked a few shots.
Ameya, sitting nearby, watched with a soft smile. "Aren't you trying your dress, Alice?"
Alice chuckled. "No need. I can tell by one glance if something fits me or not."
Ameya nodded, amused.
Jenna waved them closer. "Come on! Let's take selfies together!"
The three girls huddled together, laughing, striking poses. Alice held the phone as they took several pictures.
A few feet away, Michael stood beside Rico, who seemed lost in thought—his gaze occasionally drifting to Ameya.
Michael smirked. "You focusing on Alice or Ameya?"
Rico froze, his throat tightening. He said nothing.
Michael leaned closer. "You still have time, bro. Think about it. Are you really ready to move on from Ameya?"
Rico looked away. "I…"
Michael's tone hardened. "Think before the engagement. If you hurt my sister again… I won't let it slide."
He walked away, leaving Rico staring at Ameya—laughing, carefree, her hair glowing under the light.
But Rico's eyes were full of conflict.
---
In the Luxury Apartments
The next day, sunlight glimmered on the glass towers of a new apartment complex.
In front of the building, Ameya stood behind her parents, her palms covering their eyes.
"Can we open them now?" her mother asked, laughing.
"Okay… now!" Ameya said, removing her hands.
Her parents blinked in surprise. Before them stood a beautiful new apartment building—modern, elegant.
"Surprise!" Ameya said with a bright smile. "This is our new home!"
Her parents gasped in delight.
Behind them, Asina, Ameya's sister, stood with her eight-month-old baby girl, smiling softly.
"It's so nice, Ameya," Asina said.
"Come inside," Ameya said, her excitement bubbling.
Inside, her father looked around approvingly. "You chose well. The air circulation is perfect."
Ameya led him to the balcony. "Dad, you can plant flowers here. I know how much you love that."
He smiled proudly. "You know me well."
The baby began to cry, and he quickly took her in his arms, bouncing her gently until she giggled again.
Ameya smiled tenderly and pinched the baby's soft cheek.
Then she took her mother's hand and guided her to the kitchen.
"It's bigger than our old one," her mother said, eyes shining.
"Yes," Ameya said softly. "You always told me you wanted a spacious kitchen. Now you have it."
Her mother hugged her, eyes moist. Ameya hugged back, whispering, "Mom, I have to go sign the movie contract now. Bye for now."
"Wait," her mother said. "When is Jenna's engagement?"
"Next Wednesday," Ameya replied.
"Are you really going?"
Ameya hesitated for a second. "Of course. She's my best friend."
Her mother gave her a gentle look. "And you're not upset… because Rico's engagement is the same day?"
Ameya's smile wavered. "Maybe… a little. But not much."
Her mother sighed. "If it's going to hurt you, don't go."
Ameya smiled, brushing it off. "I'll be fine, Mom."
Then she left.
---
That Night
Later that evening, the doorbell rang. Ameya's mother opened the door.
"You're back. Go freshen up first," she said. "I've made dinner."
"Hmm," Ameya said softly. "Mom, did the workers finish arranging everything?"
"Yes," her mother replied. "Only a few boxes are left in your room."
"Okay, I'll handle it after my bath."
Ten minutes later, Ameya stepped out of the washroom, towel-drying her hair.
On her bed sat a cardboard box, half-open.
"What's this doing here?" she muttered.
As she tried to move it, the bottom tore and old belongings spilled out—toys, photo frames, and a thick family album.
"Oh no…" she sighed, kneeling to gather them.
Curious, she opened the album. Her lips curved into a soft smile as she flipped through childhood photos—birthdays, school festivals, little memories frozen in time.
Then one picture made her stop.
It was a family photo—her mother,her father, her sister Asina and little Ameya, all smiling beside their grandmother.
Her mother entered just then. "Ah, that album! I was searching for it everywhere."
They both sat on the bed, flipping pages together.
Ameya smiled"Look how young you were mom,".
her mother laughed. "And how small you and Asina looks!...I can't believe that she have a baby now.. ".
Ameya giggled. "Time flies…soo fast Mom."
Then something caught her eye—a green ring on her grandmother's finger in the photo.
Her smile faded slowly. Her gaze fell to her own hand—the same green ring gleaming faintly under the room light.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"Mom…" she whispered, almost afraid to ask. "This ring… did it belong to Grandma?"
---
To be continued…