Ti amo,, rimi.....
As the music faded and the dance ended,, I stepped off the floor,, heart pounding,, cheeks flushed from more than just movement. Lily came rushing over,, her gown trailing behind her like waves of lace and silk...
She wrapped me in a tight hug... "You were glowing,, Rimi!!"
I hugged her back with equal force,, laughing softly. "You were watching??"
"Of course I was!!" she said,, pulling away just enough to look at me. "You two looked like a painting—perfectly in sync,, like you were made to be in each other's arms..."
I opened my mouth to reply but didn't know what to say. Lily's smile softened. "Don't overthink it. Just… feel it,, okay??"
Before I could respond,, another voice called from nearby.
"Rimi!!"
I turned to see my mom,, making her way through the crowd in a simple pastel dress, her smile warm and proud... She looked beautiful,, her silver-streaked hair pulled up neatly,, the same earrings she always wore twinkling in the light.
"Mom!!" I said,, running over to hug her.
"My baby,," she whispered,, hugging me tightly. "You look so beautiful... I almost didn't recognize you out there."
"Thank you,," I said,, trying to smile,, but emotion welled up in my throat...
She pulled back,, studying my face. "What is it??"
I bit my lip,, hesitating,, but something in her gaze—something kind and steady—unlocked the dam inside me...
"Mom,," I whispered,, "I'm still waiting."
Her brow furrowed gently. "Waiting… for what,, sweetheart??"
I looked away,, blinking rapidly. "For Kai..."
Her eyes widened slightly...
"I know it sounds crazy,," I went on,, voice shaking,, "but I can't let it go. I don't feel like he's gone. Not really. Somewhere deep inside, I know he's alive..."
"Oh, Rimi…" she said softly,, reaching up to stroke my cheek.
"I see him,," I continued. "In dreams,, in strangers' eyes,, sometimes even in Adrian. It's like my heart refuses to believe the worst..."
She didn't interrupt...
"I know I should move on... Everyone says I should. But I can't. I don't want to forget him,,"
"You're not crazy,," she whispered,, her eyes now glassy with tears. "He was your first love. That kind of love leaves echoes..."
I nodded,, pressing my forehead to her shoulder. "But what if it's more than that?? What if he needs me to believe in him??"
She didn't say I was being silly. She didn't try to reason it away,, She just held me.
And in that moment, I felt like a little girl again, safe in her mother's arms,, even as the world spun wildly around me...
When we finally pulled apart,, she cupped my cheek. "Whatever your heart tells you, follow it. Whether it leads you back to Kai… or forward to someone new,, I just want you to be happy."
I smiled through my tears. "Thanks,, Mom."
Lily walked up again just then,, linking her arm with mine. "Okay,, emotional break over. Come on,, Rimi. It's time for cake,, confetti, and questionable dance moves..."
I laughed,, letting her pull me back into the light and warmth of the celebration. But as I glanced back at my mom,, I saw her watching me with that same knowing look—the kind only a mother has...
And just then,, Luka appeared beside me...
"Rimi,," he said softly,, eyes searching mine. "Can we talk for a second??"
I nodded,, unsure why my heart suddenly beat faster...
He guided me away from the crowd,, just behind a pillar where fairy lights twinkled above us like stars. He looked nervous—more nervous than I'd ever seen him...
"What is it??" I asked...
He looked down,, hands fidgeting at his sides,, then slowly met my eyes... His voice,, when he spoke,, was low,, thick with emotion.
"Ti amo,, Rimi... da sempre.. Anche se non capisci tutto ora,, il mio cuore ha sempre saputo..."
I blinked,, confused. "Luka… what did you just say??"
He gave a half-smile,, almost sad,, and reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear... "Forget it… it probably sounded like nothing.."
"Wait,," I said,, stepping closer. "That was… Italian??"
He chuckled quietly,, eyes soft but distant. "Yeah... Some things are easier to say when you know the person won't understand."
Before I could ask him to explain,, he gave me a faint smile,, stepped back,, and disappeared into the crowd.
I stood there,, stunned, his words echoing in my mind like a haunting melody,, I didn't quite understand—yet couldn't forget.
To be continue...