I Turned and Left, She Regretted It

The next day, I returned the brand-new phone I’d bought.

Lucky I hadn’t given it to her; otherwise, it would have been a complete waste.

Watching the refund notification pop up on my screen, I felt that familiar ache returning.

I’d loved her for so many years, and this was how it ended – a complete separation. Pretending it didn’t hurt would’ve been a lie.

She was my first love, the one who’d caught my eye with her sweet smile back when we were teens.

Since then, I’d been head over heels, my love so blinding that I even left my studies, proud as I’d been of my achievements, just to follow her to another city to find work.

It took seeing her with someone else for me to finally understand. I’d been nothing but a convenience.

She accepted my love simply because she could enjoy what I gave her.

And it wasn’t even the first time she’d gotten close to another guy.

Back in school, it was easy to pass off as innocent flirtations, but this time – well, they’d moved those “innocent flirtations” all the way into a hotel room.

We used to argue about her inability to keep boundaries, but I was so in love with her that, after just a few hours, I’d always be the one apologizing.

Sometimes, after one of her stunts, I’d actually think about breaking up. But then, she’d cry, and I’d soften up.

Looking back, it’s ridiculous how easily I was swayed.

After what happened, I figured we’d go our separate ways and never cross paths again.

She was always so stubborn, so proud; I doubted she’d reach out.

And as for me? I’d given up any thought of going back to her. My heart was broken beyond repair, and I’d finally had enough of apologizing for things that weren’t my fault.

But that afternoon, I received a text from her, asking me to come over.

It was the first time she’d ever reached out to me like this.

I couldn’t help but wonder why. Just last night, she’d told me to get lost. Had she really forgotten already?

Ignoring her message, I simply blocked her number.

Yes, I’d loved her, but that didn’t mean I’d sacrifice my self-respect. I wasn’t some puppet she could tug back whenever she felt like it.

But just as I blocked her, she called me, using another phone number, and by pure reflex, I picked up.

“You actually blocked me, Brian?” Her voice was dripping with anger, as if my blocking her had wounded her pride.

“We broke up. What’s the point of staying in contact?” I replied, my voice calm and unaffected.

“We can still be friends, right? Why make things so bitter?”

I laughed. Friends? Exes were meant to stay out of sight and out of mind – that’s the healthiest way.

She seemed utterly clueless, trying to keep me around, even though she knew she’d wronged me, still wanting me to offer her things.

When she heard me laugh, she must have thought I was letting her off the hook because her tone softened immediately. “Brian, maybe we weren’t meant to be, but that doesn’t mean we have to hate each other. As long as you’re there for me, I can treat you like a brother.”

And just like that, she asked me to run an errand for her, like nothing had changed – as if I’d be willing to drop everything to go buy her some sanitary supplies.

So that was it. She didn’t reach out because she missed me – she just wanted something.

But I wasn’t going to let her use me again.

I replied coldly, “If you need supplies, go ask Charles. I’m about ten minutes from catching my train.”

“What? You’re leaving? Where are you going?” she stammered, sounding confused.

“Home. To finish my studies,” I said, matter-of-factly.

I’d given up a year of my life for her, and now that it was over, I was ready to start putting my future back on track.

She didn’t take it well and shouted, “You can’t leave me here all alone!”

“You’re not alone; you have Charles to take care of you now,” I replied calmly. I was done caring about Charles’s true character.

But she kept at it, ordering me like always. “I don’t care! You’re the one who’s supposed to look after me! Get off that train, or this is it – we’re done!”

“Are you serious? We’re already done,” I said, ending the call.

When she tried calling again, I didn’t pick up.

She was unbelievable. When I was there by her side, looking out for her, she’d act like it was a burden. Now that I was leaving for good, she was desperate to pull me back.

But this time, it was too late. She’d already pushed me too far, and my heart, hardened by her betrayal, wouldn’t soften again.