Broken Pieces

Untitled Episode 2

Flashback



I loved everything I had once a long time ago. He never loved me and used my love for him to get out of an arranged marriage his family set for him. We met in college in a business class. We dated for a year and a half. I thought he was the one. We would spend all our time together. He basically lived in my apartment for the first year of dating. It was like a fairytale relationship, the stolen looks and warm hugs. He made me feel safe and loved. Like I was special to be with him. The late-night talks and snuggles I loved the most. He made me feel like I was his one and only. The way he would show up at work to eat lunch with me just to see me smile.

He changed when the new girl started at our college. He started getting distant, and I never thought anything of it because of working at the local hardware store and with classes getting busier. He hasn’t given me a reason not to trust him. So, I was stupid not to worry about the new girl who had his attention. He still called me and texted me during school and work. He just became busy when I was available to see him. So, I figured it was bad scheduling in our lives that is putting the distance between us.

We didn’t come from the same background. He came from a family with money. So, he didn’t have the busy schedule I had. He had everything paid for by his family. So, he could take over his family’s company. I come from a normal middle-class family. We had everything we needed plus a little extra. I’m working for my business degree. So, when I graduate, I can open my own company in design.

When I wasn’t working or doing school, I would always be with him doing everything he wanted to do. So, he could live a free life with no worries till he graduated to take over his father’s company. Six months after the new girl started at our college, I was on my way to his place. I walked up to them talking about how he had to dump me because she is here now, and they are going to be getting married after he graduates.

I stop so they don’t see me, so I can listen in on the conversation more. He said it wouldn’t be hard for him to end things because I was just the girl to pass time. I rolled my eyes at that comment because the whole time we dated. I thought I was more than the girl to fill a space. I heard enough of the conversation, so I walked to where they could see me. He snaps his head towards me. He asked" how much have you heard". I laugh and say enough.

I look at them both and say congratulations. Don’t call me or anything we are done for good. He grabs my arm as I turn to walk away and says," Don’t". We still have till we graduate to end things. I pulled my arm away and looked at him. I asked did you just say that to me. He shakes his head yes. Then he says we are good together. All we have to do is enjoy ourselves before it ends. I ask if you can’t be serious. I’m not going to be a side girlfriend for you to have fun with. Was the whole time, we dated a game for you. He looked me in the eyes and said yes it was. He said you are a good girl to date before marriage. I shake my head at the dumb words he is saying. I turned and walked away.

When I get to my apartment, I fall onto my sofa and cry. I feel so stupid for falling for him. I will miss the late-night talks while holding each other talking about how our lives will be. I cry harder because it was all a game for him. If I had known he was going to end things after school ended, I would have never dated him. I’m so angry at him and myself for wasting my time on this relationship. From this point on, I give up on love. I will stay focused on completing school to start my career and forget about love. Crying myself to sleep with the promise to never love again.