Jenn's POV
After spending a night that felt nothing short of magical, Andres dropped us back to the apartment. Jas was already half-asleep, her head leaning against the window. As soon as the car stopped, she murmured a lazy goodbye to Andres and dragged herself inside without a second glance.
I lingered for a moment.
"Thank you," I said softly, looking into his eyes. "For tonight. For everything."
I reached for the door handle to get out, but he caught my hand. His grip was firm but gentle, like he was scared I might disappear.
"I can't let you go," he said suddenly, his voice husky. "I don't want to."
Before I could respond, he pulled me into his arms. His hug was warm and secure, and when he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, I could feel his heartbeat pounding just as fast as mine.
I laughed softly, trying to lighten the moment. "Stop being dramatic. We'll meet again tomorrow."
But the smile I gave him was fake. Because inside, I was breaking.
I hadn't told him yet…
That we were only here for a trip.
That I had to leave.
That I had just fifteen days left.
And seeing him smile so genuinely tonight—his eyes glowing with excitement, his hands so certain in mine—I couldn't bring myself to ruin it.
So I just whispered a soft goodbye and walked away.
---
As I entered the apartment, I found Jas curled up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, watching some random cooking show like she didn't just witness me get emotionally wrecked.
I sat beside her with a sigh.
"Jas…" I said hesitantly, "Andres still doesn't know we're only here for a month. That I'll have to leave soon. I—I don't know how to tell him."
She paused the TV and looked at me seriously. "Then tell him, babe. He deserves to know. And who knows? Maybe he'll find a way. He's crazy about you—if anyone can make things work, it's Andres."
"But we're from different countries… different religions, different worlds, Jas. How is this even realistic?" I whispered, holding my head.
Jas took my hand in hers and gave me a squeeze. "Love doesn't care about borders or traditions. You two have something real. Don't throw it away out of fear. Just talk to him."
I nodded weakly.
"Come on," she said, brushing my hair from my face, "get some rest. We'll figure it out."
---
I went to my room and collapsed on the bed. My head was spinning. A dull ache started growing behind my eyes, and my body felt unusually warm.
"Jas…" I croaked over the phone. "Can you come to my room?"
She was there within seconds. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know… I feel awful. My head hurts, and I think I have a fever."
She placed her palm on my forehead, and her eyes widened. "Oh my God, Jenn—you're burning up! We should go to the hospital."
"No… just get the first aid kit. I have some meds in my suitcase," I whispered.
She rushed to get it, gave me a glass of water, and helped me take the medicine. She tucked the blanket tightly around me and stroked my hair.
"Stay here. I'll be back in two minutes," she said, and left.
She returned with a hot cup of coffee, sitting at the edge of the bed. "Drink this. It'll help with the headache."
"Thank you," I murmured, grateful.
She gently massaged my head, and at some point, I drifted off to sleep.
---
I wasn't sure how long I had been asleep, but I felt something… different. A hand on my forehead—bigger, warmer, stronger than Jas's. I opened my eyes slowly—and there he was.
Andres. Sitting beside me, eyes red with worry.
"Andres?" I whispered. "What are you doing here? And where's Jas?"
"She called me," he said softly, his voice breaking. "She said you weren't well. I rushed here, and… she looked exhausted, so I told her to rest. I couldn't leave you like this."
I sat up slowly, and his hand slid into mine.
"I'm okay," I said. "Really, you don't have to stay. You should get some sleep too."
"No," he said firmly, pulling me into his arms. "I'm not leaving you. Ever again."
He hugged me tightly—so tightly I could barely breathe, but I didn't want to let go. There was something about his hug—it wasn't just comfort. It was healing.
"I can't live without you, Kainaat," he murmured into my hair, his voice trembling. "I've never felt like this before… I didn't know it was even possible. But you—you—I can't let you go."
I froze as his hand lifted gently to cup my cheek. His eyes were locked on mine—full of desperation and love. And then… he leaned in.
His lips brushed mine—softly at first, almost uncertain. But then the kiss deepened. Passionate. Intense. Like he was pouring all his fears, his love, his need into that one moment.
My heart raced so fast, I thought it might explode. But in that kiss, all the pain vanished. All the doubt. All the fear.
In that moment, I didn't care about countries. Or religions. Or anything else.
Just him.
Just us.