In the evening, I returned home to rest, only to realize that my car was running low on gas. I decided to stop at a gas station before heading back. As I was about to fill up my tank, I noticed Renzo’s car parked nearby.
I hesitated for a moment, then saw him step out of his car. Just as I was about to approach him, a beautiful woman emerged from the passenger side. She was striking—fair-skinned and somewhat tall. I stopped in my tracks, staring at them.
As they interacted, the woman smiled at Renzo, looking genuinely happy. My heart sank. Was this his new girlfriend? Had he moved on so quickly from me?
Summoning my courage, I walked towards them and called out, “Renzo…” My voice wavered with emotion.
Renzo and the woman turned to face me, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion. I stepped closer, trying to process the scene before me.
“Renzo, who is she?” I asked, my voice tinged with desperation. The woman, now holding onto Renzo’s arm, looked at me with curiosity.
Renzo’s gaze turned sharp, and he responded curtly, “She’s nothing.”
His words hit me like a physical blow. I felt my strength drain away, the weight of his rejection and the sight of him with someone else overwhelming me. I stood there, struggling to keep my composure as the woman’s eyes shifted between us, sensing the tension. I wanted to say something more, but the words caught in my throat. The hurt and confusion were too intense.
Despite the tears welling up in my eyes, I managed a bitter laugh. “Nothing? Seriously, Renzo?” My voice wavered, but I tried to keep it steady.
The woman’s eyes narrowed as she glared at me. “Hey, who are you?”
I took a shaky breath, trying to steady my emotions. “Who am I? Just his girlfriend,” I said, pointing at Renzo. “Who are you?”
Before the woman could respond, Renzo’s voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding. “That's enough!”
His shout startled me, and I felt a wave of despair wash over me. It was as if his words were not just directed at me, but at the entire situation. His concern for the woman was palpable, and it cut through me like a knife.
Renzo then turned to the woman, his expression softening. “Go inside and get some rest. I’ll handle this.”
The woman hesitated, glancing at me with a look of disdain, before reluctantly turning and walking towards the building. Her eyes shot one last piercing glance at me before she disappeared through the door.
I watched the woman leave, feeling a tumult of anger and sadness churn within me. Renzo’s attention shifted back to me, his face etched with frustration and something I couldn’t quite read.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice taut with irritation.
I struggled to keep my composure. “I should be asking you that, Renzo. Who is that woman?” My voice cracked slightly as I took a step closer to him, trying to reach out. “Renzo, please, I know you’re angry with me... but, don’t do this.”
I reached for his arm, my fingers trembling slightly as I gripped it. I was desperate, pleading with him to hear me out. “Renzo, please, I’m asking you, don’t push me away like this.”
He wrenched his arm free from my grasp, his face a mask of resolve and pain. “You don’t get to ask about who I’m with. We’re done, Sam. This is over.”
His words felt like a punch to the gut. The finality in his tone was crushing, and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes despite my efforts to hold them back.
“No, Renzo, you can’t just end things like this. We have so much to talk about, so much to work through,” I pleaded, my voice breaking. “I made mistakes, yes, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find a way to fix things.”
Renzo shook his head, his expression resolute. “I don’t think there’s anything left to fix. The trust is gone, Sam. What’s left for us now?”
His words struck deep, and I felt a wave of helplessness wash over me. I wanted to argue, to convince him that we could still make it work, but the look in his eyes told me that he was already done.
With those final words, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the dimly lit parking lot. The reality of our situation hit me hard, and I felt a profound sense of loss.
As I watched him disappear into the distance, I sank into my car, my heart heavy with the weight of what could have been. The road ahead seemed uncertain, and I didn’t know how to navigate the pain and confusion that had settled over me.
Overwhelmed by the swirling emotions, I slid down onto the car floor, letting the tears flow freely. The rain started to pour heavily, mingling with my tears as if nature itself was mourning with me. I didn't move from my spot, convinced that Renzo would come back for me, that he would realize how much we meant to each other and would come to make things right.
But as the rain intensified, and the cold began to seep into my bones, I realized that no one was coming. The cold and the rain felt like a cruel reminder of my solitude.
Suddenly, I felt a presence nearby. I looked up, expecting to see Renzo, but instead, I saw Dante. He was holding an umbrella over me, his face filled with concern.
“Sam, you’re drenched,” he said softly, his voice cutting through the storm.
I tried to steady my breathing, but the tears kept coming. Without thinking, I stood up and threw my arms around Dante, seeking comfort in the warmth of his presence. I buried my face in his shoulder, still sobbing uncontrollably.
Dante’s arms wrapped around me gently, his grip firm but comforting. “It’s going to be okay,” he murmured, his voice soothing amidst the chaos of the rain. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”
The reality of Renzo’s departure hit me again, but for now, Dante’s presence was a small comfort. I clung to him, letting the tears and the rain mix together as I allowed myself to be vulnerable. In the midst of the storm, both outside and within, Dante was a steady anchor, helping me weather the emotional turmoil.
As the rain continued to pour, I found a bit of solace in the fact that I wasn’t alone, even if the person I needed most wasn’t there. For now, Dante’s support was enough to help me through this storm, one step at a time.