Tendy: gazes at the horizon I can't stop thinking about yesterday...
MountainEcho
Yeah. Can’t stop thinking about the day before that either…
Tendy: sighs heavily The day before that... I was waiting for your call. I had this feeling that something important was going to happen.
MountainEcho
We were so close, weren’t we?
Tendy: voice trembling We were so close, Echo. But then... the wedding invitation arrived. And everything changed. I couldn't reach you. It was like you vanished into thin air.
MountainEcho
Why didn’t you call me? Why didn’t you reach out?
Tendy: pauses, tears welling up in her eyes I wanted to call you, Echo. I wanted to reach out and explain everything. But...
MountainEcho
But what, Tendy?
Tendy: takes a deep breath, speaking softly But I was afraid. Afraid that you might reject me, that our love wasn't strong enough to withstand the reality of my situation.
MountainEcho
What situation, Tendy? What the hell happened?
Tendy: looks down, fidgeting with her hands I... I was engaged to someone else.
MountainEcho
WHAT?!
Tendy: takes a deep breath and looks Echo in the eyes Yes, Echo. I was engaged to someone else.
MountainEcho
How did you get engaged to someone else?
Tendy: takes a moment to gather her thoughts My parents arranged it, Echo. They believed it was the best decision for me, for our family's future.
MountainEcho
Your parents… they really fucked you up, huh?
Tendy: nods, wiping away a tear Yeah... they messed up in a big way. But I can't blame them entirely.
MountainEcho
So you’re saying that you’re not entirely to blame for getting engaged to someone else?
Tendy: sighs heavily No, Echo, I'm not saying I'm not to blame.
MountainEcho
So you ARE to blame? Gotcha.
Tendy: takes a deep breath and speaks softly Yes, Echo. I am to blame. I let my fear and insecurity take over.
MountainEcho
Wow. Well, you learned your lesson, I guess. You know, if you hadn’t gotten engaged to someone else, then you wouldn’t have tried to make it work with me, which means I wouldn’t be sitting here right now.
Tendy: looks up at Echo with a glimmer of hope So... does that mean there's a chance for us?
MountainEcho
Who knows? Maybe.
Tendy: takes Echo's hand, squeezing it gently I've learned so much about myself and what it means to truly follow my heart.
MountainEcho
Good for you.
Tendy: smiles warmly Thank you, Echo. For giving me a chance, for understanding, and for being here with me through all of this.
MountainEcho
Don’t thank me.
Tendy: leans in and kisses Echo softly on the lips I'll always cherish the moments we shared, Echo. And no matter what happens, I'll always be grateful for your love.
MountainEcho
What will happen?
Tendy: takes a deep breath and looks Echo in the eyes I don't know what the future holds, Echo.
MountainEcho
Well, neither do I.
Tendy: stands up, determination in her eyes But I'm ready to face whatever comes our way together, Echo. We've come too far to let fear hold us back anymore.
MountainEcho
Yeah.
Tendy: takes Echo's hand and starts walking towards the horizon Let's create our own path, Echo. A future filled with love, honesty, and no more secrets.
MountainEcho
Sure, Tendy.
Tendy: smiling brightly Echo, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. Something that I've kept hidden for far too long.
MountainEcho
What is it?
Tendy: pauses, taking a deep breath Echo, I have a secret talent. One that I've been afraid to share with anyone.
MountainEcho
Oh?
Tendy: takes out a deck of cards from her pocket I can do magic tricks, Echo. I've been practicing for months, and I want to show you.
MountainEcho
That’s a good start.
Tendy: starts shuffling the deck of cards with precision and speed, her hands moving gracefully Watch closely, Echo.
MountainEcho
Okay.
As Tendy continues to shuffle the deck of cards, she accidentally knocks over a glass of water, spilling it all over Echo's favorite book.