The Kiss I Never Should Have Asked For - Chapter 52 – An Apology That Came Too Late

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A week passed after our meeting at the university.

I couldn't stop thinking about Narin.

Not because I still loved him.

But because...

For the first time...

I had seen him completely broken.

One evening, my phone vibrated.

A message.

From Narin.

"Phawin... can we meet? Just once. I need to tell you something."

I stared at the screen for a long time.

Then...

I replied.

"Okay."

The following afternoon, we met at the small café near our old high school.

The place where we had once shared desserts after exams.

So many memories lived there.

Narin was already waiting.

He looked thinner.

His eyes were tired.

When I sat down...

He smiled weakly.

"Thank you for coming."

"I wasn't sure you would."

"I almost didn't."

I answered honestly.

He nodded.

"I understand."

For a few moments...

Neither of us spoke.

Finally...

Narin broke the silence.

"Rin cheated on me."

I lowered my eyes.

"I know."

"He left me for someone else."

His voice trembled.

"I kept asking him why."

"He just said..."

"...his feelings had changed."

Narin laughed bitterly.

"Do you know what the worst part is?"

I looked at him.

"I remembered every word I once said to you."

Every promise.

Every excuse.

Every apology.

"They all came back to me."

Tears slowly rolled down his face.

"I finally understood your pain."

"I finally understood what I did to you."

"I'm sorry, Phawin."

"I'm so... so sorry."

He bowed his head.

"I don't expect you to forgive me."

"I don't expect another chance."

"I just..."

"...couldn't live with myself without saying those words."

I remained silent.

Looking at Narin...

I remembered our first meeting.

Our first date.

Our first kiss.

Our first "I love you."

Then...

I remembered our goodbye.

Slowly...

I smiled.

Not because I was happy.

But because...

The anger I had carried for so long...

Was finally gone.

"Narin."

He looked up.

"I forgave you a long time ago."

His eyes widened.

"You did?"

I nodded.

"If I hadn't..."

"I wouldn't have been able to move forward."

Narin covered his face as he cried.

"I don't deserve your kindness."

"This isn't kindness."

I replied softly.

"It's letting go."

Just then...

The café door opened.

Korn stepped inside.

He had come to pick me up after university.

The moment he saw Narin...

He paused.

Narin stood up.

The two cousins looked at each other in silence.

Finally...

Narin spoke.

"Korn..."

"You were right."

Korn frowned.

"About what?"

"I couldn't protect the person I loved."

"And you did."

He looked at me.

"Thank you..."

"...for staying beside him when I couldn't."

Korn answered quietly.

"I didn't stay because I wanted to replace you."

"I stayed because I loved him."

Narin smiled sadly.

"I know."

"And that's why..."

"...I'm leaving him in your hands."

Korn nodded.

"You don't have to ask."

"I'll protect him."

"As long as I live."

Narin smiled through his tears.

"I believe you."

For the first time since everything had fallen apart...

The past was no longer standing between us.

It had finally become...

A memory.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lXq1ZesXn

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