SHE

Anna had known Emma to some extent, unsure if they were true friends or merely acquaintances who crossed paths. Memories of softball games filled Anna's mind, where she had observed Emma becoming smitten with her ex-husband. It was during these frequent matches that Anna's own feelings for Emma began to stir, though she couldn't pinpoint the exact moment it happened.

There was something extraordinary and admirable about Emma's laughter—it was captivating, the kind that Anna could listen to endlessly without growing weary. Emma possessed a certain allure that drew Anna in, even as she questioned her own sexuality. Confusion lingered, for Anna had experienced emotions for a woman while already being in a relationship with a man. What did that make her?

Anna quickly brushed aside such thoughts, focusing instead on her adeptness at concealing her emotions, particularly those tied to her attraction to women. It wasn't that Anna was drawn to all women, contrary to what her statement might suggest. In truth, she had only ever loved three women in her life, and her connection with the other two hadn't been as intense.

But let's move on. Softball games offered frequent opportunities for Anna to see Emma, and every encounter left Anna enchanted. Although Anna had grown accustomed to her husband and the various aspects of her life, she deliberately refrained from growing accustomed to Emma. She feared that doing so would jeopardize the perception she had worked hard to maintain—that she didn't harbor any romantic feelings toward Emma. Only during moments when Anna boasted about her exceptional schoolwork could she engage in conversations with Emma and others. Those interactions were always a delight, but Anna orchestrated them purposefully whenever Emma was around. It wasn't that Anna harbored any ill feelings toward Emma; she simply acted that way to ensure Emma didn't suspect the depth of her affection.

Emma had always believed that Anna despised her, an impression Anna deliberately cultivated. But the truth was, Anna could never bring herself to dislike Emma, for her love ran too deep to risk its revelation. What if Emma didn't share the same attraction towards women, or worse, didn't reciprocate Anna's feelings? No, Anna couldn't bear the thought.

There was a particular day when Anna and Emma attended a softball game together, accompanied by their respective husbands. In a moment of drunkenness, Anna's husband hit a pothole, causing two tires to rupture. Filled with anger and frustration, Anna found herself unable to contain her emotions and excused herself for a walk to clear her head. Hastily wiping away her tears, Anna tried to hide her distress, although she was certain that she hadn't succeeded. That day, Anna felt like a mess, but she couldn't allow Emma to witness her vulnerability. How she longed to confess the depth of her love to Emma, but the fear held her back.

Emma worked at an institute of higher learning, and one day Anna saw a post at the same institute that immediately made her think of Emma, her biggest crush. Without a doubt, Anna couldn't just quit her job because of her feelings for Emma, no matter how deep they were. However, she couldn't resist looking into the position mentioned in the post and found out that it paid more than her current job. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to pursue, a way to achieve two goals at once. So Anna decided to apply and was thrilled when she got hired at the same institute where Emma worked. It felt like a win-win situation, and she believed nothing could go wrong.

There was a particular incident that brought a hearty laugh to Anna's lips. It happened when Anna was involved in an accident and passed by Emma and her husband's home. The details of their conversation were hazy in her memory, but she distinctly recalled Emma's husband immediately addressing them and saying, "You don't love your husband", referring to Anna. Sitting right next to him, Emma's presence in that moment brought joy to Anna's heart. She cherished Emma deeply, adored her beyond words. However, Anna knew she couldn't disrupt Emma's marriage. She didn't inform Emma about her feelings because she didn't want to destroy their home. Moreover, Anna was convinced that Emma didn't reciprocate her affections. She couldn't risk confessing her love, especially considering Emma's lack of apparent interest.

Nevertheless, Anna kept her composure and maintained a facade of coolness. She couldn't risk Emma suspecting her true feelings, as it might jeopardize their friendship. They even started going to the gym together, sharing the same changing room. Anna couldn't deny the longing she felt, wishing for a deeper connection, even a simple touch. But she clarified that they never engaged in any intimate behavior. Anna concluded that Emma didn't feel the same way about her as she did after that experience. She reminded herself that Emma had never given her any signals to suggest otherwise.

It seemed evident that they were simply colleagues. However, one day, Emma began looking at Anna differently, her behavior taking a noticeable shift. It felt like the right time, a moment Anna had been waiting for. She regretted not acting on it sooner due to her fear. Emma once invited them to her brother's graduation, and they attended together. The hug Emma gave Anna on that occasion was beyond words, leaving an everlasting imprint on Anna's soul. She had never experienced such an embrace before—it felt extraordinary, and it gave Anna the impression that Emma shared her feelings.

During their conversation in the restroom that day, Emma mentioned something that lingered in Anna's thoughts. Although she couldn't recall the exact details, Emma eventually said she was done trying to impress Anna. Those words played on Anna's mind endlessly. She froze in that moment, unsure of how to respond. But as if it never happened, the conversation passed. Since that day, Anna's feelings for Emma continued to intensify and show no signs of waning. Confessing her love to Emma had escalated everything beyond her control. Anna couldn't understand how it all unfolded, but it seemed she could no longer conceal anything.

Life became overwhelming, and genuine fear took hold of Anna's heart. She found herself in an uncertain and unsettling situation, unsure of what the future held...