"The One Who Was Never Mine..." 💔

In life, some people are incredibly close to your heart — yet always feel far away. Her name was Areeba. My cousin... but to me, she was much more than that. Every time she smiled, my world lit up. And when she was upset, it felt like the weather inside me changed.

I loved her... maybe for a long time. But I never had the courage to say it. Every time my heart whispered, “Tell her now,” my mind screamed, “What if she rejects you? What if it ruins everything? What if she never talks to you again?” And every time, I stayed silent.

She used to reply to my messages, talk to me, laugh with me, hang out — but just like a cousin. She never looked at me the way I looked at her...

Every night, I would lie awake thinking, when will I finally tell her? When will I let her know that every part of my day revolves around her?

And then one day, I gathered the courage. I told myself, Whatever happens, at least the weight on my heart will be lifted. I picked up my phone and wrote:

"Areeba… I don’t know how you’ll take this, but I’ve fallen for you. I don’t even know when it happened. All I know is, I wait for your messages, I see you in every smile, and you’re in every prayer I make."

After hitting send, there was silence. My heart was in my throat. And then finally, she replied:

"I’m really sorry... I never thought of you in that way. You’re just a cousin to me. I want to keep things simple — as family."

She even told me that she wasn’t interested in romantic relationships — with anyone. She said I was a good person, but that’s all it was.

I understood her words... but my heart didn’t accept them.

I replied:

"What is it about me, Areeba? What’s wrong with me? Why can’t you love me?"

And her answer was simple, yet brutal:

"There’s nothing wrong with you... but love just isn’t there in my heart."

That night, something inside me broke — quietly.

In my final message to her, I wrote:

"Just remember one thing, Areeba... the feelings I have for you today — they might grow inside your heart someday too. And if that ever happens... know that even then, I’ll still be here, ready to accept you with the same love."

"Take care of yourself... May Allah keep you happy, always."

After that, I closed the chat... and tried to close that chapter of my heart too.

Some loves are only meant to live inside the heart, never the real world.

And some people are made to stay in memories, not in our lives.