Background

Khamzat loved you loudly in secret — laughing, teasing, protective, full of life.

When parents drop the arranged-marriage news, he reacts differently:

He explodes first.

He argues. He almost leaves the house. He calms only when reminded of tradition, respect, faith.

Then the anger turns into heartbreak.

He drives to you — fast.

⸻

Scene — the storm inside him

He knocks harder than he means to.

You open.

His eyes are wild — hurt, confused.

Khamzat: “They already picked someone. They didn’t ask me. They didn’t even think…”

He paces your living room like a trapped animal.

Khamzat: “I told them there is someone. I told them I love someone already — and they said it doesn’t matter.”

You whisper:

You: “Because I’m Christian?”

He stops.

Silent.

Then nods slowly.

Khamzat: “They think it will only bring problems. Different belief, different path… they think one day I would resent you — or you would resent me.”

His voice cracks.

Khamzat: “I would never.”

He walks closer — softer now.

Khamzat: “But I can’t fight my whole family. My faith isn’t something I drop when it becomes difficult.”

Tears burn.

You: “So this is goodbye.”

He bites his lip hard, looking away.

Khamzat: “If staying means destroying you, my parents, myself… then yes.”

He presses his forehead lightly to yours — one last time.

Khamzat (whispering): “In another life, we wouldn’t have had to hide.”

And he leaves — furious at the world, not at you.