When You Never Look Back

Wine’s POV

It was raining.

But not the kind that felt romantic or soothing.

It was the kind of rain that drowned your thoughts—merciless, loud, and cold.

I stood there, with a broken umbrella, my sleeves soaked, my eyes stinging—not just from the rain.

Faifa was just a few feet away, talking to her. Laughing. Flirting. Like always.

"Hey, your hair..... looks beautiful." With bright smile.

"I just got hair cut, so of course that is why my hair looks beautiful." She replied to him.

"Wanna go out somewhere ?"

They were talking to each other and I just didn't want listen that conversation, because that can break my heart anytime.

I tried to focus on the sound of rain.

But my heart kept interrupting.

He used to laugh like that with me.

He used to look at me like I was the only person in the world.

What changed?

I was foolish. I knew what kind of person Faifa was. Flirty. Loud. Arrogant. Addicted to attention. But still, I—

No.

I couldn’t stop myself.

I loved him.

That was my mistake.

She left with a soft “Bye,” and Faifa started walking back toward me, completely unaware of the storm inside me.

He grinned like nothing had happened.

But everything had.

“Why are you crying?” he asked, stepping closer, squinting at me under the rain.

I hadn’t even noticed the tears falling. My cheeks were wet long before the rain reached them.

I looked up at him, and for once, I didn’t hold back.

“You’ll never understand,” I whispered.

“What?”

“You’ll never understand what I feel for you.”

My voice cracked. It felt like my chest was caving in.

Faifa frowned, confused. “What are you saying? What happened to you suddenly?”

“What happened?” I repeated. I almost laughed through my tears.

Then I snapped.

“You’ll never understand because the only people you care about are those girls who chase after you.

You flirt with everyone. And I… I just stand there like an idiot, waiting for you to look at me once the same way you look at them.”

Faifa stepped back slightly, his expression hardening. “I don’t get you these days. Why are you talking like this? It’s annoying. Stop it, Wine.”

“You’re right,” I said, my voice trembling.

“I’ve become annoying. I annoy you just by being honest.”

And then, I walked away.

I didn’t look back.

Because if I did, I knew I’d stay.

And staying was killing me.

The rain was relentless by the time I reached the university hostel. My clothes clung to my skin, my shoes squished with every step, and my heart… it felt heavier than ever.

I closed the door behind me, dropped my bag, and collapsed on the floor of my dorm room. I didn’t even reach the bed.

I cried.

Like a child.

Like someone who finally realized the truth—that love, when one-sided, is the cruelest thing in the world.

“Why him?” I whispered to no one. “Why did it have to be him?”

I buried my face in my hands, trying to muffle the sobs.

That’s when I heard a knock… and then the door opened slowly.

A familiar voice—soft, yet filled with concern—called out from behind me.

“Wine… are you okay?”

Before I could turn around, warm arms wrapped around me tightly from behind. I froze.

Then I heard it.

“It’s me… Arc,” he said, his voice trembling with worry.

My elder brother.

My rock.

He held me tightly, my back against his chest, and whispered, “Don’t cry, please don’t cry… I saw what happened. That guy—he doesn’t deserve your tears. I’ll teach him a lesson. I’ll break his arrogant smile. I swear.”

I shook my head, still crying.

“No… don’t hurt him,” I sobbed. “Please, don’t hurt him.”

“He hurt you!” Arc snapped. “I won’t let anyone make you cry like this.”

I turned around, still in his arms, tears running freely down my face.

“It’s not his fault,” I whispered. “It’s mine.”

“What?”

“I’m the one who’s wrong,” I said brokenly.

“I fell in love with someone who never even tried to understand me… who never even noticed. Who never cared enough to ask why I always waited for him.”

Arc clenched his jaw. He gently wiped my tears, his voice low but firm.

“You shouldn’t stay here, Wine,” he said.

“You need to get away from this place. From him. From the memories. Go somewhere far… where his shadow can’t follow you.”

I looked into his eyes, still shaking, and after a long pause… I nodded.

“I’ll go,” I said quietly.

“I’ll leave, Arc. I promise.”

He pulled me into another tight hug, and for the first time tonight… I felt warm.

Outside the window, the rain still poured.

But inside the room, something had broken.

And something else had begun.

End of Chapter 1

“Some loves are loud. Mine was silent, standing behind you in the rain… waiting for you to turn around.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***