Juhanah

chapter eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The next day.

A smile spread across her face when she saw his name flashing on the screen. She took a deep breath before answering.

"Hello," she said shyly.

"Hi," he replied warmly. "I've been looking forward to hearing your voice all day. How are you?"

"I'm fine," she muttered.

He immediately noticed the change.

"You don't sound like yourself. Is everything alright?"

She hesitated for a few seconds before deciding to be honest.

"There's something I need to tell you."

"I'm listening," he replied calmly.

She explained everything that had happened after the party. She told him how Rita had driven her home, warned her to stay away from him, and claimed that he was not the right person for her. She also confessed that her friend's words had left her confused and worried.

When she finished speaking, there was a brief silence.

He finally spoke in a gentle voice.

"Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me. That means a lot."

"I didn't know what to think," she admitted. "I don't want this to ruin our friendship or cause problems."

He chuckled softly.

"Listen to me carefully," he said. "Remain calm. Don't argue with your friend, don't accuse her, and don't let fear control your decisions. Everything will be fine."

She remained silent, listening attentively.

"I've learned that whenever something good begins, there will always be people who misunderstand it or try to interfere. But if our intentions are sincere, we don't need to fight anyone. Time has a way of revealing the truth."

His reassuring words slowly eased the tension in her heart.

"So... you're not upset?" she asked.

"Not at all," he replied. "I'm only concerned about your peace of mind. I don't want you carrying unnecessary worries because of someone else's opinion."

She smiled for the first time that day.

"My mother told me something similar," she said. "She advised me not to allow hatred into my heart."

"She's absolutely right," he responded. "Never repay jealousy with anger. Be respectful, remain kind, and let your actions speak for you. People eventually reveal their true intentions without anyone forcing them."

She felt a sense of relief wash over her.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I already feel much better."

"I'm glad," he replied warmly. "Just promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"No matter what happens, don't lose your smile. Stay calm, focus on your happiness, and leave the rest to time. Everything will work out the way it's supposed to."

She laughed softly.

"I promise."

They continued talking for a long while, sharing stories, laughing, and getting to know each other better. By the time the call ended, all the fear that had troubled her heart had disappeared.

********

Months later.

Laughter echoed, as Juhanah and Teo had a good time together.

They watched an episode together.

“I knew it, I told you, love never lies, I knew he loved her…” Teo said.

“That's true, they look good together though, but….”

“But what..” he interrupted.

“I'm just scared, I don't want her to regret this…..”

“He won't hurt her…his intentions are true, just like mine…”

Juhanah, on hearing that, she smiled.

“I know….thank you Teo, for choosing me.”

He held her hands, “ I don't know if I fell in love with you the first time, but…..” he paused” I'm so happy to have you in my life, please don't ever leave.

His eyes met hers and the affection she saw went straight to her heart, he gave her a kiss, his kiss was warm, soft and gentle, he gave her another and then another, she didn't think of resisting, why should she?

Suddenly, they heard a sound.

Behold, it was Rita, she stood with her hand akimbo, her eyes portraying anger, jealousy, disappointment, hatred.

“So, this is it, right?,Is this how you choose to pay me?”

She asked angrily.

Her eyes, fixed on Juhanah.

"So this is what you've been doing behind my back?" she shouted. "After everything I've told you?

Juhanah lowered her head without saying a single word. Still, Juhanah remained silent, allowing Rita to pour out her emotions.

"I trusted you!" Rita continued, pointing an accusing finger. "You smiled in my face while secretly taking the one person I loved. What kind of friend does that? You're nothing but a backstabber!"

Juhanah's lips trembled, but she refused to argue. She stood quietly, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Enough, Rita," he said calmly but firmly. "Don't blame Juhanah for something she never planned."

Rita scoffed. "Don't tell me not to blame her! She knew how I felt about you."

"I know you like me," Teo replied. "But liking someone doesn't mean they owe you their heart. I respect your feelings, but I cannot force myself to love someone I don't have feelings for."

Rita stared at him in silence.

Teo continued, "Juhanah never stole me from you because I was never yours to begin with. I was the one who approached her. I was the one who confessed my feelings. She never encouraged me while pretending to be your friend. Love isn't something that can be assigned to another person."

Rita's eyes filled with tears, but the anger on her face remained.

"So you're choosing her over me?"

"I'm choosing her," he answered softly. "I won't lie to you just to spare your feelings. You deserve someone who truly loves you, and pretending would only hurt you more."

Rita clenched her fists. For a moment, it seemed she wanted to speak again, but the words refused to come. She looked once more at Juhanah, who remained quiet with tears slowly rolling down her cheeks.

"This isn't over," Rita muttered bitterly before turning around.

She stormed away without looking back, her footsteps echoing along the empty path.

Silence returned.

Teo looked up at Juhanah.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

Teo gently squeezed her hand.

"You have nothing to apologize for," she said.

“Let's watch…..”

“I don't think I can concentrate anymore, I feel like….”

“Shhhhhh!!!, Don't let your emotions dull your sparkle…..”

“What should I do please….”

“Just let things be, I'm wondering why the jealousy, for crying out loud, I've never expressed my feelings towards her, to be honest, I can't date her, you don't have to worry…”

“I'm not worried, I betrayed her I guess…”

“How? By loving me?”

“My dear, don't let anything bother you, I approached you, because I loved you, why is she jealous?

Secondly, I can't date her, she's not my spec…..”

“Ohh please!!! Are you saying it to make me happy?”

“Nah, that's the truth, stay away from her please, I don't want anything to happen to you…”

“Thanks, where I am today is because of Rita, I'm scared, very scared….”

“Why? Of losing your job?The house? What exactly?”

“Everything….. “

“I'm financially stable to take care of you and your needs, money is not the problem, cheer up..”

“I don't want to have issues with my friend….?

“Really?, Listen to yourself Juhanah, you didn't cause this, so do I, why are you disturbed, blame love…. She has no right to rule over you”

“I don't think I can do this anymore…. please leave”

“I should leave??” He asked sadly

“Yes ….”

“It's okay, I understand, I'll give you time my darling, if you need someone to talk to, just remember I'm here, okay?”

“Just leave…..”

“Can we settle this please, I can't leave you this way…..”

“Get out…..” she screamed.

***********”

She laid quietly on her bed, staring at the ceiling as the evening breeze drifted through the open window. Rita's angry words echoed in her mind, mixing with the gentle reassurance the young man had given her earlier. For a moment, she wondered if walking away would make life easier. It would end the arguments, silence the gossip, and perhaps even save her friendship.

She closed her eyes and remembered the kindness in his voice, the honesty in his eyes, and the way he always treated her with respect. Nothing about him had ever given her a reason to doubt his intentions. Why should she abandon someone who had done nothing wrong simply because another person was jealous?

"I won't leave him," she whispered to herself. "Not because someone else wants me to, but because I know what I feel."

For the first time, she felt a sense of peace. She understood that love should never be built on fear or sacrificed to satisfy another person's bitterness. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would face them with courage instead of running away.

With a heart full of determination, she turned off the light and rested her head on the pillow.