Page 154 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“He’s okay, he just…” Steve stalled, glancing at Ody. “He had a fight with Mano. That’s why he didn’t see your messages.”

“With Mano?” Her voice faltered. “Why would they fight?”

“I don’t know.” Steve leaned back, eyes still on Ody. “I just got here. He’s pissed. Better give him a little time.”

Silence stretched on the line.

“…Are you sure he’s okay?”

“Yeah.” Steve nodded to himself, like he needed to believe it too. “I’m staying with him.”

“Okay… tell him to text me when he feels better.”

“Got it.” He hung up and glanced at Ody, who was frowning.

“Why’d you say that?”

“It just came out,” Steve said. “And she can’t see you like this. You know that.”

Mano lay on the floor, surrounded by shattered glass. He didn’t move. His phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out.

Ranya: Are you free today?

Mano: Wanna come over?

To your place?

Yeah

Okay, I’m on my way

He let the phone fall beside him and stared at the ceiling.

When the doorbell rang, he dragged himself up, slow, heavy, like his body didn’t belong to him. He opened the door.

“Heyyy—” She froze when she saw him. “Mano?”

He turned away without answering and walked back inside.

Ranya stepped in, closing the door behind her. She followed him, her eyes widening. Shattered glass covered the floor. “What… what happened here?”

He didn’t answer.

“Mano?” Her voice shook. “Are you okay?”

His knees gave out. He dropped, like he couldn’t hold himself up anymore.

Then she heard it. A quiet, broken sound. He was crying. She stepped forward, watching where she placed her feet, and crouched in front of him. His head hung low, shoulders trembling. She stared at him. Then she pulled him into her arms. Mano didn’t resist. His forehead pressed against her chest, his body giving in as the sobs came, quiet but relentless.

“Mano… what happened? You’re scaring me.”

“It hurts,” he choked. “I can’t… I can’t take it.”

She tightened her hold, steadying him as she helped him up and guided him to the couch.

A broom stood by the balcony door. Spotting it, she stepped outside, grabbed it, and returned to clear the glass. Her movements were slow and deliberate, like something might break again if she wasn’t careful.

When she finished, she sat beside him.