I summarized all the information I gathered from the library. Before leaving, I greeted Isabella, who gave me a knowing look. Ignoring her gaze, I walked back to my room. I tried to piece together my memories, as some parts, especially from the past few months, were still unclear.
Lying in bed, I slowly closed my eyes and attempted to sleep. I felt exhausted from the day's events. First, I recalled memories from my previous life, then I focused on gathering information about this world from the library.
With those thoughts in mind, I finally fell asleep.
POV: Amar
I was walking toward the subway in New York after finishing my work. As usual, I was running late for my date. When I got to the subway station, I reached the platform and tried to call Lina. Just before I could dial, someone hugged me from behind. Feeling the familiar presence, I said, "Lina, I'm sorry for being late."
Lina replied, "Hey Amar, you don't need to apologize like that. I know you're always late. Don't worry; if you're not on time, I'll be there first and hug you like this."
Her words warmed my heart. I was momentarily lost for words. Turning to face her, I looked into her eyes and asked, "Why? Why are you so good to me?"
She cupped my face and wiped my tears without saying a word. "Why are you such a crybaby? I know you're an orphan who has lived alone. After dating someone like me, you struggle with reality. But understand this: you are my love, Amar. I love you so much that I would do anything for you."
I hugged her back, overwhelmed. She patted my back and said, "It's okay, crybaby. If you've cried enough, can we continue our date?"
I awkwardly pulled away and boarded the train with her. That day, we wandered through New York, visiting many places, holding hands and enjoying our time together. By the end of the day, we sat on a bench in Central Park. She asked me, "Hey Amar, I'm not blaming you, but could you try to fix your habit of being late for our dates? You never arrive late for work, just when I call you. It sometimes frustrates me."
I replied, "Yeah, I'm working on it, but it's an old habit. It will take time to change."
Lina said, "You always say that. Maybe it's my fault. Maybe you find it so easy to be late that you don't care enough about me. Perhaps I should just get mad at you."
I responded, "Calm down, Lina. There's no need to be angry with me. I'll definitely improve, and don't mention getting mad at me. It hurts my fragile heart."
Lina said, "I know, as the crybaby you are, you'd cry if one day I didn't show up. But I can't help but wonder, what would you do if I ever left you?"
Her question made me lost in thought. I had lived alone for so long, and now that I knew the sweetness of a relationship, going back to solitude felt impossible. I said, "Lina, what kind of question is that? I know you will never leave me, even if I wanted you to."
Lina replied, "That's true, but I'm curiously asking what you'd do if one day I got fed up and left."
Hearing her ask the same question again stirred unrest in my heart. I said firmly, "That's never going to happen. I won't allow it. Even if it does someday, I will find you and bring you back to me, no matter what. You see me as a crybaby, but I have a dark side you don't want to see."
Her expression changed to surprise, and she began to giggle. "Oh Amar, you're so serious! I was just asking for fun. But the way you said that while looking creepy was hilarious."
She burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. "I can't stop laughing, Amar. You shouldn't show your dark side to me. I might just die laughing!"
I gently placed my hand over her mouth, looked into her eyes, and said, "Lina, please don't joke about dying in front of me. You were mine, you are mine, and you will be mine forever. Don't ever say you might leave me again."
This time, she stopped laughing and looked at me with curiosity. "Amar, when did you learn such intense lines? If you said this to another girl, she might think you're a creep."
Then, with a playful expression, she wrapped her arms around herself and pretended to be frightened. "Don't tell me, Amar, you're like a yandere from anime and manga. Oh no, my boyfriend is a yandere now; he'll lock me in his basement!"
She giggled and began to walk away, but I caught her and hugged her, saying, "Yes, you're right. This yandere boyfriend will keep you forever." Her laughter echoed in the air, and I joined in.
Then I heard the ringing of an alarm.
I slowly opened my eyes to the sound of my morning alarm next to my bed. I realized that after returning to my room, I had slept all day and now woke up the next morning. I understood I had been dreaming, dreaming about my previous life and about Lina. As I got up, I whispered to myself, "Lina, don't worry. This time, your crybaby won't shed a single tear until you're in front of me again." With that, I stood up. My memories that were foggy just the day before were now clear, giving me clues about where to find her. "Lina, please wait a little. I'm coming for you."