Chapter Text
The beach was winding down, sky melting into pastels in all soft pinks and fading gold, in colors that made you want to speak in whispers.
Loveruk walked just a little ahead, barefoot, and her sandals swinging from her fingers.
Her dress fluttered in the breeze, and every so often, she glances back at Pansa with this lazy smile like the world had finally slowed down to her pace.
They had dinner at the shoreline with fresh seafood, candles in glass jars, and tiny waves brushing at their ankles.
Now, full and sun-kissed, they were walking the stone path back to their villa, tucked into a quiet edge of the resort.
Pansa was carrying their canvas tote, hair half-tied, her frame tall and steady beside the smaller girl ahead of her.
“Those tourists were serious,” Loveruk said through a grin.
“They really thought we were on some drama shoot.”
“You didn’t have to bow,” Pansa replied, her laugh quiet and close.
Loveruk turned to walk backward to face her.
“How else would they know I’m the lead?”
Pansa rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
That soft, quiet smile that only Loveruk got to see.
“You’re definitely something.”
They were almost at the fork in the garden path when a voice cut through the night.
“Loveruk?”
The name dropped like a pebble into still water.
They both turned.
He stood by the outdoor bar near the pool.
Neil.
He's slightly sunburnt, holding a drink like he didn’t know what to do with his hands.
He looks older now with tired lines around the eyes but still recognizable.
He blinked like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“Pansa,” he added, eyes flicking between them.
Loveruk tilted her head, her expression unreadable.
“Hey..” she said, like a question she didn’t really want answered.
Neil stepped forward a little with that awkward half smile creeping in.
“Didn’t know you two were… still friends.”
The words sat there, weird and off.
Then he glanced specifically at Pansa.
“You look… really beautiful now.”
The silence stretched longer with the breeze.
Somewhere nearby someone laughed.
Pansa didn’t say anything.
Her face was unreadable.
Showing that stillness she wore like armor.
But Loveruk moved closer, her presence sudden and sure, like she was taller than she really was.
Her shoulder grazed Pansa’s arm as she leaned closer, casual and unapologetic.
“We’re celebrating our anniversary,” she said, flat as concrete.
Then, without looking at Neil again, she reached up and laced her fingers with Pansa’s.
Her hands small on Pansa’s, her nails painted the same light shade they always were.
No hesitation. No drama.
Just truth.
*
Neil opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
He looked like someone who turned a corner and found a closed door where he thought a hallway should be.
He looked… stunned.
As if someone had just deleted the script he thought they were all following.
Loveruk gave him a polite smile and a small nod.
One that you give to someone who used to know you but doesn’t anymore.
Then she turned and tugged gently on Pansa’s hand, leading them back down the path to their villa.
For a moment, all they could hear was the rhythm of their footsteps.
Behind them, Neil said nothing.
“You’re ridiculous,” Pansa murmured, biting back a laugh.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to,” Loveruk said, squeezing her hand.
“Besides, he needed to know.”
Loveruk looked up to meet her gaze.
Her eyes catching the last of the golden light.
“I’ve loved you all this time, you know.”
There was no grand pause.
No dramatic response.
Pansa just slowly lifted their joined hand to her lips, kissing her knuckles once, then holding on tighter.
And they kept walking.
Barefoot and steady.
Quiet and sure.
A small girl and a tall girl.
Fingers knotted together.
Leaving behind the past like loose sand.
Back to their little villa under the trees and the life they had quietly built, all this time.