The next morning, at the crack of dawn, Sejal quietly woke up and stepped into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Ken.
Ken was still asleep.
Without telling anyone, Sejal quietly packed her things and headed back to her hostel.
Just as she reached the hostel gate, someone ran toward her from the distance.
It was Dean.
He came to a halt right in front of her, breathless and desperate.
> "Sejal, are you okay? I've been looking for you all day yesterday!
I went to your café, and your colleagues said you don't work there anymore.
Then I came to your hostel, but the guard told me you weren't there either.
You didn't call me… didn't even leave a message…"
Sejal's voice came out cold and low.
> "You didn't try to contact me either, Dean."
Dean lowered his head, guilt plain on his face.
> "So, you're angry at me for that, right? I'm really sorry, my love.
It won't happen again. I was just swamped with office work… I didn't even sleep properly these last few days."
Sejal paused and then replied quietly,
> "You and I don't match, Dean.
Maybe you should just go ahead and marry Suzy. She's a good girl.
She fits your age, your status… you both would look better together."
Dean froze.
The pain in his eyes was unmistakable.
The same Sejal he could give his life for was now telling him to move on…
He had gone without food, without sleep, waiting for her day and night.
And this… this was what he got in return.
Dean silently reached for her hand, tears filling his eyes.
Sejal looked away, face lowered, her silence slicing through him.
Then she spoke:
> "Dean, you once told me I was perfect for you.
But I know deep down… a girl like me doesn't belong in your life.
I haven't even graduated yet. I'm still struggling to find myself.
You should be with someone like Suzy, not someone like me."
Dean's voice cracked as he said,
> "You're perfect for me, Sejal.
And I want to marry you.
As soon as you graduate, we'll get married.
Whether your family accepts us or not—I will."
But then Sejal dropped a bombshell.
> "No, Dean. I love Ken. I want to marry him."
Dean stepped back, stunned.
> "No… that's not possible.
You're lying. I know my Sejal. She's mine."
Sejal locked eyes with him and said with brutal honesty:
> "Yesterday, I was with Ken the whole day.
I even cooked for him…
And I… kissed him."
The words felt like daggers to Dean's chest.
He broke down.
Tears poured from his eyes as he shouted in pain:
> "Is this the punishment I get for one small mistake?
I was really just busy with work, Sejal!
And because of that, you…"
Dean couldn't hold it in anymore.
He hugged Sejal tightly, crying like a broken man.
Sejal whispered,
> "Dean… if you can… please forget me.
Start a new life with Suzy.
That's what's best for you.
Your future is bright.
As for me… I don't even know what lies ahead."
Dean, still holding on, asked one last question.
> "Where were you last night?"
Sejal, this time, got angry.
> "Even now, you don't get it?
I was with Ken.
Last night, I stayed with him!"
Dean didn't want to hear anymore.
His world crumbled with her every word.
Through his tears, he whispered,
> "If you really leave me now…
I'll break into pieces, Sejal.
Please… let's start over.
Please, my love… don't leave me!"
---
To be continued…