A letter to the post man

I knew Nath would hate me after my confession. And what if Catherine found out about my feelings for her husband? I was sure Nath wouldn't tell her, but the guilt of admitting my love weighed heavily on me. I had made a terrible mistake.

Alex mentioned that Nath had returned to the northern lands. The news brought little relief—if anything, I felt worse. I kept asking myself: What happens to me now?

One late night at work, I couldn't find a taxi, so I decided to walk home. The streets were eerily quiet, and as I moved through the shadows, I heard footsteps behind me. My pulse quickened. I turned and shouted, "Who's there?"

A familiar voice replied, "It's me, Reina. It's Carl."

I spun around to see his face, still so wretched in my eyes.

"What do you want?" I asked sharply.

He looked at me with an almost sincere expression.

"I saw you walking alone. I just wanted to make sure you were safe."

"Do I look like I need your help?" I snapped.

His expression remained solemn.

"Reina, it's been four years since I betrayed you. I've changed. Please…let me help you. I was young and stupid back then. I thought life was just about fun, and I'm sorry for what I did to you."

He looked genuinely remorseful. Against my better judgment, I sighed.

"Fine."

Carl followed me until I reached my house, then left without another word. I didn't even thank him.

In the following weeks, Carl began showing up often, always trying to help me. At first, it was tolerable, but soon, his persistence became exhausting. He kept trying to win me back, even going as far as holding my hand when I didn't want him to.

One afternoon, while I was at the store buying fabrics, Carl appeared again.

"Let me carry your bags," he insisted.

"Carl, enough! I don't love you anymore," I said firmly.

"I don't care if you love me or not," he replied. "I will always help you. Let me love you. My love is enough for both of us."

I glared at him, disgusted. Before I could respond, he leaned in, trying to kiss me. I pulled away, but he grabbed me, holding me in place.

"Let me go!" I yelled, struggling against his grip.

Suddenly, a strong arm yanked Carl away from me. Before I could process what was happening, Carl was being beaten mercilessly. I watched in shock as the mysterious stranger threw punch after punch, leaving Carl bloodied and battered.

"Stop!" I cried, running toward the man to intervene.

When I got closer, my breath caught in my throat. It was Nath.

He stood there, breathing heavily, his fists clenched. I had never seen him this way—so strong, so ruthless.

I placed a hand on his arm. At my touch, he froze and released Carl, who scrambled to his feet and ran for his life.

I turned to Nath, still trying to process everything.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"He was forcing himself on you," Nath replied, his voice calm but firm. "I was watching from a distance."

"When did you get here? When did you return to the southern lands?" I asked, stunned.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I said softly. I thanked him and quickly turned to leave, my heart pounding.

The next day, Nath visited Alex. After their meeting, he came to my room. I knew he wanted to talk.

"Reina," he began, "I've been thinking about what you said."

My heart sank. "Nath, please—"

"Let me finish," he interrupted. "I understand how you feel, and I respect it."

"You understand how I feel?" I said, my voice rising. "Stop it, Nath. You don't know how I feel. You can't possibly understand."

He stepped closer and grabbed my shoulders, his grip gentle but firm. His eyes locked on mine.

"I do, Reina. I really do. Because I feel the same."

Time seemed to stop. My mind raced, unable to process what I'd just heard.

"Yes," he continued, his voice trembling. "I love you, Reina. I didn't want to admit it, even to myself. I thought I loved Catherine…but you—" His voice cracked. "You make me feel something entirely different. And I know now…it's love."

I stood frozen, staring at him in disbelief as my world spun around in disbelief 

Nath confessing his true feelings to me mended the heaviness in my heart.

It felt right this time—so right, it made my chest ache.

His love was the missing piece I didn't realize I was longing for.

I stared at him closely, searching his eyes for the truth I was almost afraid to believe.

"When did this happen, Nath?" I asked, my voice a whisper, heavy with curiosity and doubt.

"Reina, my love for you was always there," he said softly, his gaze unwavering. "I just didn't want to accept it."

His words hit me like a gentle storm, pulling me under their weight. My knees gave way, and I sank to the floor, hugging myself tightly, as if to hold the fragile pieces of my heart together.

"So, what about Cathrine?" I asked, my voice trembling, afraid of the answer.

Nath jolted, like a man suddenly awakened from a dream. His expression shifted, shadowed by guilt and hesitation. Without another word, he excused himself and left my room.

He was a married man. What was I thinking?

But even as the shame crept into my thoughts, one truth refused to leave me. He loved me.

I knew the depth of betrayal. I had been a victim of it at a young age. But why am I so weak when it comes to love?

Why do I even love so easily?

I sat there, wrapped in a whirlwind of emotions, questioning my own heart.

The next day at work, I was startled from my thoughts when the security guard approached me.

"There's someone at the front asking for you," he said.

My heart raced as I walked to the front, and then I saw him—Nath.

He stood there, holding a bunch of daffodils. The vibrant yellow petals glowed in the sunlight, their sweet fragrance filling the air around us.

He extended them toward me, his lips curving into a soft, hesitant smile.

"Thank you," I said, my voice trembling as I took the flowers.

"Will I be able to see you tonight?" he asked, his tone calm but filled with longing.

How could I refuse the man I loved more than anything in this world?

I nodded, my heart already betraying my hesitation.

"Yes," I whispered.

The love I felt for him shone brightly in my eyes, and he must have seen it because his expression softened in response.

After work, I hurried home and rummaged through my wardrobe, pulling out a dress the color of the daffodils he gave me. I couldn't stop smiling.

For once, my heart felt alive.

Tonight was ours.

I hailed a taxi and followed the directions Nath sent me.

When I arrived, my breath caught in my throat. It was the same mountain where Nath had saved me, a place etched into my soul.

As I stood there, gazing at the familiar view, I felt him approach from behind.

His arms wrapped around me, and he pulled me close.

I could feel his heartbeat, strong and steady, as if it were meant to calm my own racing heart.

"I'm glad you came," he whispered, his voice low and warm as he breathed in the scent of my hair.

"I could never turn down your offer," I replied, tilting my head to look at him.

I turned in his arms, facing him fully. His eyes bore into mine, deep and unwavering.

"Reina, it's you I love," he began, his voice raw with emotion. "I've made up my mind about Cathrine."

I placed a finger on his lips, silencing him.

"No, no, Nath. Don't divorce her," I said gently.

He frowned, his brows furrowing in confusion.

"But what should I do?" he asked, his voice tinged with desperation.

"We'll figure it out together," I said, my excitement spilling over. "Tonight is ours!"

For the first time in a long while, I chose to follow my heart, even though my mind screamed at me to stop.

I had spent my life living by the wishes of others—from my mother to my brother. But now, in this moment, I allowed myself to be selfish.

I wanted Nath so badly it ached.

Having him by my side made me feel whole in a way I hadn't felt before.

He was mine. My Nath. The man I loved .