Background

He never planned to fall in love — especially secretly. He took you seriously. He treated the relationship as something sacred, even if nobody could know.

And then… his parents told him:

“We arranged a marriage for you. This is decided.”

He argued — quietly, respectfully — but he knows how deeply family and faith matter.

He drives to you in silence.

⸻

Scene — the night it ends

You open the door.

He’s standing there — still, heavy, eyes tired.

Khabib: “We need to talk.”

Your chest tightens.

You sit. He can’t quite look at you yet.

Khabib: “My parents… they chose someone. Arranged. They think it’s what’s right.”

You whisper:

You: “And what do you think?”

He finally looks at you — and that’s where the pain is.

Khabib: “I think I love you. But I also think I don’t get to ignore everything I was raised to respect.”

Silence. He swallows.

Khabib: “If I stay with you, I hurt my family. If I leave you, I hurt myself.”

Your eyes burn.

You: “So which one do you choose?”

He closes his eyes briefly.

Khabib: “…My duty.”

Tears slip before you can stop them.

He reaches forward, but stops halfway — like touching you now would break him completely.

Khabib (soft): “This is not because you’re not enough. It’s because I promised to be someone I can live with after all this.”

He stands slowly.

Khabib: “I will always care for you. Just… from far.”

And he leaves — because staying would destroy both of you.