CHAPTER FOUR
Aisha barely slept that night.
Daniel's words kept replaying in her mind, especially the part where he claimed he had visited her house after their graduation.
She had never known.
Why had her mother kept that from her? And why was Daniel suddenly appearing in her life after six years of silence?
She tossed her pillow aside and reached for her phone. His contact wasn't saved anymore, but she still remembered his number. For a moment, she considered calling him.
Then she dropped the phone.
What was she doing? She had spent six years learning to live without him. She couldn't throw all that away because of one conversation.
By morning, she had convinced herself to focus on work.
Unfortunately, fate seemed determined to test her resolve.
At lunchtime, Aisha went downstairs to buy a sandwich. As she approached the café near her office, she noticed a familiar woman sitting by the window.
Vanessa.
The same woman she had seen beside Daniel at the engagement party.
Aisha considered turning around, but Vanessa had already spotted her.
"Aisha, right?"
Aisha stopped reluctantly. "Yes."
Vanessa smiled and gestured toward the empty chair opposite her.
"Do you have a minute? I'd like to talk to you."
"About what?"
"Daniel."
Aisha's expression hardened. "I don't think we have anything to discuss."
"Please. I know you probably have the wrong idea about me."
Aisha almost laughed.
"Do I? Because the last time I saw you, you were holding Daniel's arm like you belonged there."
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
"I understand why you felt that way. But Daniel and I have never been in a relationship."
Aisha studied her face, searching for any sign of dishonesty.
"Then why were you with him that night?"
Vanessa took a breath.
"Because my family and his family have known each other for years. Our parents have always wanted us to become closer. Sometimes people mistake that for something romantic."
"That's convenient."
"I know how it sounds, but it's the truth."
Aisha folded her arms.
"Why are you telling me this now?"
Vanessa hesitated before answering.
"Because Daniel has never been the same since you left."
Aisha's heart tightened, but she kept her expression neutral.
"That's not my responsibility."
"Maybe not. But I thought you deserved to know that you weren't the only one who was hurt that night."
Aisha stared at her.
"What do you mean?"
Vanessa looked toward the window.
"Daniel had planned something for you that evening. He was going to tell you how he felt about you. He had been talking about it for weeks."
Aisha felt as though the room had suddenly become smaller.
"No."
"It's true. He asked me to help him choose a gift for you. I didn't know what he intended to say until later."
Aisha struggled to breathe normally.
All those years, she had believed she was the only one who had secretly hoped their friendship could become something more.
"Why didn't he tell me?"
"He tried, didn't he? You never gave him the chance."
The words stung because Aisha knew there was some truth in them.
She looked down at the table.
"Even if that's true, it's too late now."
Vanessa nodded slowly.
"Perhaps. But I don't think either of you ever got the chance to find out what could have happened."
Aisha stood, suddenly uncomfortable with the conversation.
"I have to go."
Vanessa didn't stop her.
As Aisha walked away, she felt as though the past she had carefully buried was beginning to rise again.
That evening, she arrived home and found her mother preparing dinner.
Grace looked up with a warm smile.
"You're home early."
"Mum, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, my darling."
Aisha placed her handbag on the table.
"Did Daniel come to our house after graduation?"
Grace's hands stopped moving.
For a moment, the kitchen was completely silent.
Then her mother slowly turned around.
"Why are you asking me that?"
"Because he told me he came twice and that you said I didn't want to see him."
Grace looked away.
Aisha's stomach twisted.
"It's true, isn't it?"
Her mother sighed and sat down.
"Yes, he came."
Aisha stared at her in disbelief.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you were heartbroken, Aisha. You cried for weeks after that night. I thought seeing him again would only make things worse."
"So you decided for me?"
"I thought I was protecting you."
"By keeping the truth from me?"
Grace reached for her hand, but Aisha pulled away.
"Your father—"
Grace stopped abruptly.
Aisha frowned.
"My father? What does Dad have to do with Daniel?"
Grace looked startled by her own words.
"Nothing. I meant your father would have wanted you to focus on your future."
Aisha narrowed her eyes.
Something about her mother's reaction felt wrong.
"Mum, is there something you're not telling me?"
Grace forced a smile.
"Of course not."
But Aisha knew her mother well enough to recognize when she was hiding something.
And as she watched Grace return to the stove, one thought refused to leave her mind.
If her mother had hidden the truth about Daniel, what else had she kept from her?
For the first time, Aisha began to wonder whether the past held more secrets than a broken heart.
And she was determined to uncover every one of them.