𝐂𝐡𝐩𝐭 𝟐𝟗

Kamala's POV

I chose something simple yet comfortable—a white button-up, blue jeans, and my Converse. It's been exactly two months since Allura left, and I haven't been myself since. I know it. I've been more irritable with everyone around me—not intentionally, but it's hard not to be when my other half is gone.

In those two months, I'd called her 787 times. Left flowers at her door. Played her favorite songs outside her window. Still... nothing.

Grabbing my keys, I stepped outside. The night sky was scattered with stars—something I would've stopped to admire two months ago. But now, I just sighed and climbed into my car, gripping the steering wheel tighter than ever.

"Fix this now."

Riah's words echoed in my head, looping constantly over the past few days. Every time I thought about what I'd done, I only grew more frustrated with myself. Stanley's number had been deleted and blocked for weeks now—no intention of ever speaking to her again.

I pulled into Allura's driveway, parking right beside her car. The routine felt painfully familiar. I used to show up unannounced, and she'd answer the door with that glowing smile. She'd throw herself into my arms, legs wrapped around my waist, clinging to me like she never wanted me to leave.

A tear threatened to escape, but I wiped it away before it could fall.

I stepped out of the car, my hands trembling and my heart racing.

"Alright, Kamala. Be calm. Don't get nervous, don't tense up." I told myself those words, but I knew the real test would come the moment I saw her face.

I knocked three times and waited.

Allura's Pov ⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅∙∘☽༓☾∘∙•⋅⋅⋅•⋅⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅

I was just about finished with my studying when I heard a knock at the door. If it were Riah, she would've told me she was coming.

I stood up, heading for the door, and felt a familiar sensation building in my chest—a feeling I only got when a certain someone was near. It wasn't anxiety or fear; it was something warm, something I hadn't felt in a long time. I gripped the handle, bracing myself for whatever was about to happen.

When I opened the door, there she was—that familiar smile stopping my heart for a beat. Her perfectly curled hair, her scent that was both fresh and sweet, and that outfit—the one I loved most on her. Everything about her made my chest tighten.

"Allura?" Kamala said softly, her hands tucked into her back pockets.

It frustrated me how much I still craved her. No matter how upset I was, no matter how much time had passed, I couldn't shake how much I missed her—her presence, her touch, her everything. But I couldn't let her know that.

"Kamala?" I replied, tilting my head slightly.

She reached out, her fingers curling gently around mine. That small touch sent warmth spreading through me like a fire I couldn't put out. Months without her—without her hugs, her kisses, her closeness—had left me aching.

Her breathing was steady, but I knew better. The way she fidgeted with her ring finger gave her away—she was nervous, just like I was.

"Listen," she started quietly, "I know I'm probably the last person you want to see right now, but... I want to take you somewhere. Just me and you. Is that okay?"

I felt butterflies stir in my stomach—damn her for always having that effect on me. I had forgiven Kamala a long time ago, but a part of me still clung to the fear that she'd hurt me again.

I took a slow breath before answering. "That's not true."

Her brows furrowed slightly. "What's not true?"

"That you're the last person I want to talk to. I always want to talk to you."

The words spilled out before I could stop them, softer than I intended.

Kamala's expression shifted—her eyes turning gentle, like she was holding back tears. I didn't say anything, but I knew. I could feel it.

"Give me five minutes to change, and I'll be ready," I said.

She gave a small nod, stepping inside fully now. I went to my room, changing into something casual.

When I came back out, I found Kamala flipping through a photo book I had put together. She hadn't noticed me yet, so I just watched her. The faint smile on her lips as she traced her fingers over the pictures made my heart swell. When she wiped a single tear from her cheek, I knew she was feeling everything I was too.

As if sensing me, she turned, smiling softly. No attempt to hide her emotions—just pure honesty in her eyes.

"You look beautiful, Allura. You always do."

Those simple words made me feel seen—really seen—in a way only Kamala could make me feel. And I knew I did the same for her. Every chance I had, I reminded her how beautiful she was—not just physically, but her mind and heart too.

She closed the book carefully and stepped closer, her gaze flickering from my lips to my hands.

"Can I?" she asked quietly, motioning between us.

I simply nodded, my eyes never leaving hers. She slid her fingers into mine, and together we walked outside.

Kamala's sleek black Porsche was parked exactly where it used to be. Seeing it there again filled me with a strange comfort. She opened the passenger door for me, leaning over to fasten my seatbelt once I was inside. I couldn't help but laugh softly.

"You know I can put my seatbelt on myself," I teased.

She smiled up at me. "I know... but I like doing it."

I didn't know where we were going, but I never felt safer than when I was with her.

The ride was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Things between us weren't magically fixed, and we weren't pretending they were. But just being close to her again brought me more peace than I'd felt in months.

I stared out the window, watching palm trees pass by. This route was unfamiliar.

"Where are we going?" I asked, glancing at Kamala. She seemed completely at ease.

"Somewhere I've never taken anyone before," she said softly.

We pulled up beside a beach, but this wasn't just any ordinary shoreline. Scattered across the sand were tables and chairs, carefully arranged in cozy clusters. The water stretched out before us, the bluest I'd ever seen, almost glowing under the moonlight. To the right, a small cave glimmered with delicate lights, casting a warm, inviting glow.

I stepped out of the car, taking it all in with wide eyes.

"What is all this?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kamala took my hand, her fingers lacing tightly with mine as she guided us down a winding path.

"This is my private beach," she said softly. "I come out here when I need to clear my head... when I need to get away."

The gentle sound of waves filled the silence as we walked, both of us quietly watching the water roll in and out. Something about tonight felt different — like something important was about to change.

Kamala led me into the glowing cave, and inside was a large hammock, easily big enough for the two of us. She settled in first, lying on her back, then motioned for me to join her.

Before I could second-guess myself, my feet moved. I lay beside her, facing her as she reached up to cup my cheek, her thumb tracing the curve of my jaw.

"Allura," she began softly, her voice heavy with emotion. "I know I've hurt you, and I hate that I can't go back and fix it. But I need you to know... I've been paying attention to you for a long time. The way you love people, the way you care — you're incredible. Before I even told you how I felt, I was already falling deeper than I realized."

"Kamala, I—"

She pressed a finger to my lips, silencing me.

"Just let me finish," she whispered.

I nodded, my heart thudding in my chest.

"Every day I went home, I thought about you — what you were doing, what you were thinking. I couldn't wait to see you again. And when you finally came into my life, everything shifted. You made me appreciate the little things more... and I can't imagine my life without you now." She paused, taking a shaky breath. "I'm telling you all this because I love you, Allura. I love you, and I never want to hurt you like that again."

My eyes stung with tears. This was the Kamala I'd fallen for — open, honest, and full of love. And the truth was, I couldn't imagine my life without her either.

Kamala sat up, stepping away from the hammock to rummage through her bag. Her back was turned, but I saw her pull out a small box. My breath hitched.

When she turned around, she knelt before me, holding a sleek golden box that shimmered under the soft lights.

"Allura," she said, taking my hands and pressing a kiss to my knuckles. "I've had this for a while now. I kept waiting for the perfect moment, but after everything that happened... I realized I couldn't keep waiting."

I stared at her, unable to find my voice.

Kamala opened the box to reveal a beautiful ring — not a wedding ring, but something personal and meaningful.

"This is a promise ring," she said quietly. "I know I've made mistakes, but this... this is my way of promising to make things right. I want you to know I'm serious about you, about us."

She slid the ring onto my finger, and it fit perfectly — like it had always belonged there.

The tears I'd been holding back finally spilled over, my shoulders shaking with the release of everything I'd been holding in for months. Kamala wiped my tears away, her own eyes glistening.

"Kamala..." My voice trembled.

"Yes, baby?" she asked softly. "Tell me what you're thinking."

"You didn't have to do this," I said, barely able to speak. "This... this must've cost you so much."

She climbed back into the hammock beside me, wrapping me in her arms — warm, familiar, and safe.

"I don't care about that," she murmured. "I have plenty to spend. What I care about is you."

She held up her own hand, revealing a matching ring — one that read in delicate script:

"Love conquers all. Allura & Kamala."

I swallowed hard, pressing my face into her neck. "I don't know what to say," I whispered.

"You don't have to say anything," she murmured, her fingers gently combing through my hair. "I just wanted you to know how much I love you... and that I'll keep fighting for you, no matter how long it takes."

There was a raw honesty in her voice that made my chest tighten. I looked up, meeting her gaze — her warm brown eyes mirroring my own.

I leaned in, pressing my lips to hers. The kiss was soft and slow, a quiet unraveling of all the pain and distance we'd carried for months. Every ounce of hurt melted away under the warmth of her touch.

Kamala kissed me back with just as much tenderness, savoring every second. When we finally pulled away, we lay back in the hammock, our heads close together. Our breathing was uneven, but I felt calmer than I had in months. Something had shifted between us — something real, something lasting.

For the first time in a long time, I believed things could be okay.

Kamala's breathing slowed beside me, her body relaxing into mine. I pressed a soft kiss to her cheek and whispered,

"I love you."

She stirred, tightening her arm around me as her voice floated through the quiet.

"I love you too, my sweet girl."

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Y'all we are really getting somewhere. Things are finally changing between then and for the better <3