Between two brothers

Chapter 6:love is not enough

The call came at night.

Amina stared at her phone as it rang. Her heart immediately started racing.

David calling…

For a moment, she couldn’t move. Her fingers hovered over the screen, shaking slightly. Then she picked up. Hello, her voice came out soft. Fragile.

There was silence on the other end. Heavy. Breathing. Unspoken words.

Amina..

David called her name

Just hearing her name in his voice, it broke something inside her.

I’ve been thinking, he continued slowly.

Amina swallowed hard. Me too.

Another silence.

But this one felt different. Like both of them already knew where this was going, but we were too scared to say it.

I don’t even know where to start, David admitted. Amina let out a weak breath. Just say anything.

David paused.

Then spoke.

I can’t get it out of my head

Her chest tightened immediately.

The fact that you and my brother trailed off, his voice heavy. I’ve tried, Amina. I really have.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

I know, she whispered.

I keep telling myself it’s in the past, he continued. That it shouldn’t matter, he exhaled shakily. But it does.

Amina closed her eyes because she understood every word.

It keeps playing in my head, David said. You love him. You're choosing him. The memories you both shared

Amina pressed the phone tighter to her ear. I didn’t know it was him, she said weakly.

I know, he replied quickly. I know you didn’t.

Silence again.

Then he asked the question. The one that had been sitting in his heart since that night.

Amina, do you still love Daniel?

Everything inside her froze. Her lips parted slightly.

But no words came out, because of the truth? It wasn’t simple.

Memories don’t just disappear. Feelings don’t just vanish overnight.

And that silence…

That inability to answer said more than anything she could have said. David felt it

He let out a quiet, broken laugh. Yeah, he whispered. That’s what I thought. No, Amina tried to speak, but her voice cracked.

I’m not saying you love him now like before, David added quickly. But I know he meant something to you. Something real.

Tears streamed down Amina’s face.

He did, she admitted softly.

David shut his eyes tightly. Trying to hold himself together.

And that’s the problem, he said. I don’t know if I can handle that. Amina’s heart shattered. Every time I look at you, he continued, his voice breaking now, I’ll remember that you were once his. That you loved him first. Love you now Amina cried.

There was a pause, a painful one.

I know, David said quietly. And that’s what makes this so hard.

Both of them were crying now.

Openly.Helplessly.

I wanted this to work, Amina sobbed. didn’t plan any of this. I didn’t even know

I know David’s voice rose slightly, filled with emotion. I know you didn’t plan it

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

David said it's not your fault, and it’s not mine either.

Then why does it feel like we’re being punished? Amina whispered. David didn’t have an answer because it did feel that way.

I love you, Amina, he said finally.

Her heart clenched painfully.

I love you too, she cried.

Another silence. But this time it was final.

Sometimes love is not enough, David said

Amina shook her head, even though he couldn’t see her.

No, don’t say that.

I have to, he replied.

His voice was calm now. But it wasn’t because he was okay. It was because he had made his decision.

I can’t keep loving you and hurting at the same time, he said.

Amina covered her mouth, trying to hold in her sobs, and I don’t want to resent you for something that happened before me, he added.

That hit her deeply. Because she knew

If this continued, it could turn into something ugly, and I don’t want to start comparing myself to my own brother, he said quietly.

Amina’s heart dropped.

That’s not fair to you, he continued. And it’s not fair to me.

The truth was clear now. Painfully clear.

We have to let this go David said.

Amina shook her head again. No please

Her voice was breaking in a way that hurt to hear.

I’m sorry, he whispered.

I don’t want to lose you, she cried.

David closed his eyes, tears slipping down his face.

You already are.

Silence, Long, Heavy, Final.

I’ll always care about you, he said softly.

Amina couldn’t speak anymore. Her chest hurts. Her throat is tight, her heart shattered.

Take care of yourself, Amina, he added.

The call ended.

Just like that, no more words. No more explanations. No more us.

Amina stared at her phone long after the call dropped. Tears were still falling. Heart still breaking.

Because sometimes you can truly love someone deeply.Honestly.And still don't end up with them.