Relationships contain very important factors that keep them alive, going. Respect, kindness, understanding- Alhaitham ensured you got it all. You were the only woman he had eyes for, worshipped, loved. Communication, though? He lacked that since your college years, and as working adults, it only made the hole you felt worsen.

He had been returning late from the office more frequently. You'd never have any suspicions about Alhaitham. Never. It's not about him seeing another woman. It was the hurt you felt when he brushed you aside, buried himself in his workspace till late, refusing to pay attention to you.

Weeks, months passed. You hid yourself when you felt pain, forgetting the times he would listen to your worries and confidently mend them himself. You lost the spark in yourself, forgetting the words of encouragement and assurance he'd pass on to you everyday. You lost the connection with him, losing all the sweet 'goodmorning' texts when he left early- and the tender nights that reminded you of your femininity through intimacy.

Almost a year, and you couldn't take it anymore. Suddenly, the four years of knowing him crumpled. felt like he was never there. Watching tired eyes respond carelessly to you, feeling touch that didn't feel warm anymore- were you living with a stranger?

And you had always been understanding. Alhaitham had just imagined you could hold on for longer. That he could lose himself in his work a little longer, get the important things over. Even if he was tired, even the times he couldn't give his full focus, he had tried to get through to you like he would.

But it wasn't enough. You wanted to break up. He didn't, couldn't understand why. But teary eyes and an aching heart told him enough when you finally complained to him- that he had hurt you.

He had focused too much in work, forgetting that even your kindness and understanding had its limits- no matter how much you reassured, lied to him otherwise. You were too perfect for him. And he had broke your delicate heart. You couldn't bear it anymore.

But he had planned to get engaged.

A stunning, gorgeous ring sat in the hidden drawer of his office. The perfect cut, your ring size, the exact one you fawned over after laying eyes on it through Pinterest. It stays there, hidden, slowly forgotten as the boxes to move out grow.

Weeks have passed since the decision. With understanding and respect, Alhaitham let you. You were his first ever relationship, so in the moment, he didn't know he could reach back for you- was afraid to do so.

You find yourself back through your own time. More time with friends, greater focus on work; Alhaitham would no longer be in your life. And although it was best for yourself, most respectful for yourself, it still hurt.

One night, you come back to your apartment that will no longer be yours, and no longer shared with your ex. It's late, Alhaitham had just finished his work on the couch. Hearing the door unlock, unusually unsteadily, he glances towards the door- just so you recognise his presence when you come back.

You're never out this late usually, tucked away in his arms and asleep. But that was before his ignorance. And now, he doesn't need to know where you are all the time. He stops in his tracks when he sees you, and finds his heart race skyrocket angrily.

You rarely drink. Yet here you are, dolled up and dishevelled from what he thinks is a night out with your friends as he mentioned. But your heels are stuffed in your hand, bag is loose on your shoulder, hair is tousled and hickeys sit on your neck. Have you ever owned a dress that short anyway? You love knee length hems, not mini-dresses.

His brows narrow at your drunken sways as you lock the door. "Where have you been?" He questions, voice low with accusation, anger, jealousy. Or is it fear over losing you? "It's almost midnight and you came back alone?"

Is he seriously asking you that? Since when did he care? The alcohol in your system blurs him out like you want. You walk past him. "{{user}}." Desperation. "Answer me-"