The air in the hospital corridor was cold, sterile—almost lifeless—yet Alina's heart raced like a storm within her chest. Each step toward her father's room echoed with fear, guilt, and anticipation. She paused outside the room for a moment, inhaling deeply as if trying to gather every ounce of courage that had ever existed within her. And then, slowly, she pushed the door open.
The soft beeping of machines, the white sheets, and the frail figure lying on the hospital bed struck her all at once. Her father—once so stern and upright—now looked so small. So fragile. Like time had taken its toll without mercy. For a few seconds, Alina just stood there, frozen. Her throat tightened, her vision blurred. But then, as if on cue, his eyelids fluttered open.
"Alina..." he whispered, and her name, from his lips, sounded like something sacred.
Tears welled in her eyes but she blinked them back. "Dad..." she said softly, walking toward him.
He gave her a faint smile, his hand slowly reaching out. Alina took it without hesitation, and for the first time in her life, she felt the warmth of her father's love—not through words, but through the trembling grip of his hand.
"I... I'm here," she said, kneeling beside the bed. "I've always been here, waiting..."
There was a silence, soft and tender. The kind of silence that wraps around two souls when words no longer suffice.
Her father exhaled deeply. "Alina, I need to tell you something. Something important."
Alina's breath hitched. Her heart tightened. She nodded slowly, not trusting her voice.
"I don't know how much time I have left," he continued, his voice trembling slightly.
"Don't say that," she whispered, tears pooling in her lashes. "Please, Dad... don't talk like that. You'll be fine. You have to be."
But he gently shook his head and gave her a tired smile. "Let me speak, Alina. What I have to say... it's for your good. Just listen, hmm?"
Alina wiped her eyes and nodded.
"You've grown up away from us, independent and strong. And I'm proud of that. But no matter how strong you are, life... life isn't meant to be faced alone. I want to see you settled before I go. I want to know that someone is there to hold your hand when I no longer can."
She looked down, her fingers tightening around his. The heaviness in her chest grew unbearable.
"I want you to get married, Alina," he said softly. "Before anything happens to me. Before I close my eyes forever, I want to know my daughter is in safe hands. You may feel I'm rushing you... but I've seen enough of life to know what matters in the end. You may not understand now, but someday you will."
Her voice was barely a whisper. "But Dad…"
He squeezed her hand gently, silencing her. "I know you're scared. I know you're not ready. But promise me you'll think about it... for me. For your future. One day, you'll need emotional and financial support—more than you realize now. When we're gone, someone needs to be there for you."
Tears streamed silently down her cheeks as she nodded, too heartbroken to speak.
There was a pause before her father turned his gaze to the corner of the room—where Evander stood quietly, watching the emotional scene with unreadable eyes.
"Evander," her father called gently, gesturing him closer. Evander hesitated, then walked toward the bed.
"Come here, son," he said with surprising softness. "I want to ask you something."
Evander leaned closer.
"I don't have the right to decide Alina's life. But if you're willing… if you truly care for her… will you take care of my daughter? Will you promise me that no matter what happens, she'll never be alone?"
Evander was stunned. For a moment, he couldn't find words. But then, slowly, he nodded. "I will," he said simply. "I promise."
Her father smiled faintly, his eyes closing as he sank back into the pillows, exhausted. "Thank you… that's all I needed to know."
Alina stood in stunned silence as her father drifted into rest. She couldn't breathe. Couldn't speak. She just walked out of the room, Evander trailing silently behind her.
---
Back in their apartment, silence followed them like a heavy shadow. The night had fallen quietly, but the weight of her father's words echoed like thunder inside her chest.
Alina stood on the balcony, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She stared up at the stars—cold, distant, indifferent. A gentle breeze played with her hair, but it brought no comfort.
Evander came up behind her. Without saying a word, he gently wrapped his arms around her from behind. The gesture was tender, protective—but Alina didn't lean into him. She remained still.
Evander sensed her tension. "Alina… are you mad at me?" he asked softly.
She shook her head.
"Is it… about what your father said?" he continued.
She nodded silently.
Evander turned her gently to face him, his hands cupping her cheeks. "Then why are you so scared?" he asked. "Don't you want to marry me?"
His tone was light, teasing—but Alina's expression didn't change.
"It's not that simple, Evander," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Then tell me what it is," he persisted gently. "Do you want to marry me?"
She sighed, stepping back. "It's not what you think…"
"Then explain it to me!" he said, a little louder now. "Because honestly, I don't understand what you actually want."
Alina clenched her fists. "I'm already so tense, Evander. Don't make this harder."
"I'm trying to cheer you up, Alina! I've been trying all day. Does that mean nothing to you?"
She looked away, her voice low but sharp. "It's not like that."
"Then what is it like?" he demanded. "You say you care, but every time I come closer, you pull away."
There was silence between them—thick and suffocating.
Finally, Alina said, "I'm not ready, Evander. I'm not ready for marriage, for responsibilities. I'm still figuring myself out. I'm not mature enough."
Evander stared at her, hurt flickering in his eyes. "And what about me? Do you think I'm mature enough for both of us? Do you think I don't feel scared too? But I still want to take this step—with you."
She shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "But I don't want to marry you right now, Evander! Why can't you just understand that?"
His voice rose too. "Because I do! I do want to marry you, Alina! Why is that so hard to accept?"
Her breath caught when she saw the tears glistening in his eyes.
For a moment, the world seemed to stop. Evander turned away, walking toward the door of her room. "You don't have to explain anymore," he said quietly. "I get it now."
"Evander—" she called, but he didn't look back.
The door closed behind him with a gentle click that felt louder than thunder in the quiet night.
Alina stood frozen, her arms falling limply to her sides. Her heart ached in a way she hadn't anticipated. What just happened? Why did everything break so suddenly?
Outside, the stars still shimmered.
But tonight, they seemed colder than ever.