Love Without an Ending

A light rain had been falling since dusk, washing the Kuala Lumpur sky in shades of blue and grey.

Inside a small café called Kelibatmu Cafe, warm yellow lights flickered softly through the scent of freshly brewed coffee.

The atmosphere was peaceful.

Eisya's heart was not.

She stood on the small stage with a microphone in hand.

Her smile looked calm, but the trembling of her fingers betrayed her.

"The next song is Love Without an Ending."

A few customers turned their heads while Nazaruddin, standing behind the counter, simply watched.

He already knew the way Eisya took a breath before singing, like someone bracing herself against a wave of memories.

When the first verse filled the room, the café fell silent.

Her voice drifted into the rain outside, soft and aching.

But at the table furthest from the stage, a pair of familiar eyes watched her quietly.

Zainudin.

Seven years without a word.

Now he sat there holding a cup of coffee that had long since gone cold.

When the song ended, applause echoed through the café, but Eisya's world seemed to stop the moment their eyes met.

She stepped down from the stage and slowly approached his table.

"Zainudin."

Her voice was steady, but the tremor underneath it cut deep.

Zainudin stood up stiffly.

"I should apologise."

"I suppose you should," Eisya replied softly.

"But you're late."

She turned away, but Zainudin spoke quickly.

"I never stopped thinking about you."

Eisya stopped walking.

"Then stop thinking about me, Zain. I've already learned how to live with loss."

At that moment, Nazaruddin emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of iced tea, looking entirely too relaxed for the occasion.

"If we're continuing this drama, should I prepare the script first?" he asked with a faint grin.

Zainudin lowered his eyes.

Eisya let out a small laugh.

Bitter, but real.

Nazaruddin placed the glass in front of her.

"Drink this before your tears beat you to it."

"They're not falling. They're just considering it," she replied, wiping her cheek.

"Eisya," Zainudin spoke again.

"I left that night because my mother was critically ill. I went back to my hometown and never had the chance to explain."

"After she passed away, I didn't feel worthy of coming back."

Eisya lowered her gaze.

"And during those seven years, not once did you miss me enough to explain?"

Zainudin swallowed hard.

"Every single night. But when I saw you moving on with your life, I was afraid of becoming another wound."

Nazaruddin spoke quietly from beside them.

"Sometimes people leave not because they stop loving someone, but because they don't know how to stay."

The words were gentle, but they landed heavily.

Eisya glanced at Nazaruddin and fell silent.

Outside, the rain grew heavier.

Zainudin slowly stood up and walked out of the café.

His silhouette disappeared behind the endless curtain of rain.

Nazaruddin pulled a chair beside Eisya and sat down quietly.

"You're strong. But even strong people deserve to be held sometimes."

Eisya smiled faintly.

"Are you trying to comfort me or make jokes?"

"If a hug could bring you peace, I'd offer one. But if a joke can make you smile, I'll go with that."

Eisya laughed.

A sound that hadn't escaped her in a very long time.

Light.

Honest.

Alive.

Outside, the rain continued to fall.

But inside Kelibatmu Cafe, the night felt warm again.

Love never really ends.

Sometimes it simply pauses inside hearts that know how to heal.