The Way I Love Him

Chapter1:Four Days Later

“Miral, come on, be fast. Otherwise, you’ll miss your van. Come downstairs so you can have your breakfast peacefully.”

Mom’s voice echoed from downstairs.

I sat in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection.

My face looked pale, tired — like itdidn’tbelong to me anymore.

It had been four days.

Four days since I lost my grandmother.

Four days since the world moved forward, while I stayed behind.

I stilldidn’twant to go to college.

Icouldn’tface people.

Icouldn’tanswer their questions.

Icouldn’tlisten to their sympathy, especially when they asked about her.

Every second, her memories came rushing back — wrapping around my heart so tightly that it felt hard to breathe. Her voice, her warmth, her presence… everything felt too close and too far at the same time.

But I had no choice.

I had to gather whatever courage I had left and step out.

My phone buzzed on the side table.

I picked it up.

Mehrma.

I tapped the notification quickly.

Good morning, my dear. Come to college today, my strong girl.

A weak smile touched my lips.

Strong.

Everyone always called me strong — even when I felt like I was breaking quietly inside.

“Miral!” Mom called again, a little louder this time.

“I’m coming,” I replied, my voice softer than I wanted it to be.

I walked downstairs slowly.

Breakfast was already on the table, untouched. The house felt quieter than usual — like even the walls were mourning with me. Momdidn’tsay much. Shedidn’tneed to. Her silence held care, love, and understanding.

I ate without tasting anything.

Soon, the sound of the van outside broke the stillness.

I slipped on my shoes, took one last breath, and stepped out.

College.

At the college gate, I showed my ID card with trembling fingers and walked inside.

That’swhen I saw her.

Mehrma was standing near the entrance, scanning the crowd anxiously. The moment her eyes landed on me, her expression changed. Relief washed over her face.

Ididn’tthink.

I just ran.

I ran straight into her arms.

She hugged me tightly — not asking questions, not saying anything unnecessary. Just holding me the way I needed to be held.

For the first time that morning, my chest felt a little lighter.

Mehrma’s POV

I saw her showing her ID at the gate.

She looked smaller somehow — quieter, sadder. Her eyes met mine, and even from a distance, I could see the pain she was trying so hard to hide.

But the moment she spotted me, something shifted.

She ran toward me, and I opened my arms without thinking.

I held her close.

Shedidn’tneed words.

She just needed to know shewasn’talone.

End of Chapter 1