To be loved

Untitled Episode

PROLOGUE

Imani felt the sting of tears as they brimmed in her eyes, threatening to spill over. She watched, her heart shattering into a million pieces, as her ex-boyfriend, Richard, wrapped his arms around Ariana, her best friend since they were toddlers. The smug expression on Ariana's smooth, dark skin was a look Imani had never seen before. It was as if her friend had intentionally set out to hurt her, treating her like a stranger rather than someone with whom she had shared her deepest, darkest secrets.

"Richard, I never did anything to hurt you," Imani said, her voice trembling with anger and pain. "I was amazing to you, and you repay me by showing up to our date with my best friend? The same person you claimed was a bad influence and didn't want me around?"

Richard shrugged, avoiding eye contact, seemingly unbothered by the entire situation. "Are you ready, Ariana?" he asked, looking down at her with a softness in his eyes that Imani had never seen directed at her.

Ariana tiptoed, and Imani's heart clenched as her friend's lips pressed against Richard's. This was real, not a sick dream. "Give me a second to talk to her," Ariana murmured, rubbing Richard's face soothingly, a sight that made Imani feel nauseous, especially since they had been intimate just that morning.

Imani's mind raced, replaying the countless memories she had shared with Ariana. They had grown up together, their families practically inseparable. They had shared everything—first crushes, first heartbreaks, and even their first kisses. Ariana had been there for Imani through every major milestone, offering comfort and support without fail. But now, as Imani stared at the scene unfolding before her, she felt a profound sense of betrayal that cut deeper than any physical pain.

"How could you do this to me, Ariana?" Imani whispered, her voice barely audible. "We were supposed to be sisters. You were the one I ran to when Richard and I had our first fight. You were the one who held me when I cried over him. How could you betray me like this?"

Ariana's expression flickered for a moment, a hint of guilt perhaps, but it was quickly replaced by a cold, calculating look. "Imani, sometimes things just happen. It's life. Get over it."

Imani felt a surge of anger, a mixture of hurt and disbelief. "Get over it? You expect me to just get over this? You and Richard, my boyfriend of four years, have been seeing each other behind my back. How am I supposed to 'get over it'?"

Richard finally looked up, his eyes meeting Imani's for a brief moment before he glanced away again. "Imani, I'm sorry. But Ariana and I... we have feelings for each other. It just happened."

"Just happened?" Imani echoed, her voice rising with each word. "You two have been planning this for who knows how long, and you expect me to just accept it? To move on like nothing happened?"

Ariana stepped forward, her voice low and steady. "Imani, you need to understand that sometimes people change. Sometimes, friendships and relationships evolve in ways we never expected. You and I, we've been through a lot, but maybe it's time for us to move on. I never would have done this on purpose you know me Imani. Plus there are plenty of men out there and I have hope that you will find a good one. Maybe he just wasn't meant for you" she spoke softly as if that would make it better.

Imani stared at her with an unreadable expression. The sick audacity of her. The longer she stared the more tears filled her eyes. "here I was excited to tell him I'm carrying his child and y'all drop this s**t on me" She spat.

" WHAT?" They yelled in union. She snatched the 22 week sonogram out her purse and slammed it onto the table showing them she was in fact telling the truth. Taking after her mother she hadn't started showing yet. It was something she wanted to keep private until she was comfortable exposing it to Richard. As she was putting it back into her purse she caught wind of Ariana's words.

"Give her the money to abort it NOW Richard" she angrily whispered in his ear. Richard swallowed a lump before sighing and reaching into his pants.

Forgetting all the rules she had set for herself and her unborn child, Imani threw her drink in Ariana's face. The liquid splashed across her smooth, dark skin, and Ariana's eyes widened in shock. Before anyone could react, Imani launched herself across the table, her fists flying with a fury she hadn't known she possessed.

"b***h!"Ariana spat, attempting to block Imani's hits. Imani grabbed the plate full of pasta off the table and slammed it onto Ariana's face with a sickening crack. The sound of Ariana's nose breaking echoed through the restaurant, and Imani felt a twisted sense of satisfaction as she threw punch after punch, each one fueled by the betrayal and pain she felt.

Ignoring the onlookers' screams and the chaos unfolding around her, Imani continued to release her hurt and anger. "HOW COULD YOU?" she screamed, her voice raw with emotion. She was about to drag Ariana across the floor when she was suddenly lifted off her feet by a pair of strong arms.

"LET ME GO!" Imani yelled, wiggling and kicking as she tried to free herself from the person holding her. She could feel their toned arms tighten around her, ignoring her protests as they carried her outside. The night air slapped against her face, and she took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to regain her composure.

As she was carried outside, Imani caught a glimpse of Richard standing against his truck, his head in his hands. The sight of him filled her with a rush of anger, and she snatched herself free from the person holding her. Launching at Richard, she got two good hits in before she was snatched back again, this time with an iron grip that left no room for escape.

"LOOK, you gotta chill, ma. This s**t's crazy!" The deep voice boomed in her ear, snapping her back to reality. Imani looked around, her vision blurry from tears and adrenaline. She saw someone holding Richard back, his face a mask of shock and pain. People were consoling Ariana, who was nursing her broken nose and bruised ego.

Feeling like a fool, Imani let out a sob, a mixture of anger, sadness, and embarrassment. She snatched her keys out of her purse and dashed to her car, her heart pounding in her chest. Starting the engine, she looked in the rearview mirror, her eyes meeting Richard's for a brief moment before she peeled out of the parking lot, leaving the scene of her emotional breakdown behind.