Love and lack thereof were indeed straightforward and simple.
I had been deceiving myself all this time.
Now that the illusion is shattered, it's time to wake up.
I stayed in the library to study.
Chandler sent me messages.
"Where are you? When will you be back?"
My phone was on do not disturb mode, so I missed it.
"What would you like to eat tonight? I know a great restaurant, would you like to try it?"
"Yasmine, the lemon tree leaves are turning yellow, what should I do?"
...
I hadn't checked my phone for just one afternoon, yet Chandler had sent me a flurry of messages - more than we had exchanged in all our years together.
I'm always the one initiating conversations. When happy, he might reply with a "hmm", but otherwise, he ignores me.
When did his personality change?
Reluctantly, I headed home only after the library closed.
As soon as I turned on the light, I saw Chandler sitting dazed on the sofa, holding his phone.
"Where are you? I'll come pick you up."
He repeated the message I had just received.
"I was researching and lost track of time. Why aren't you in bed yet?"
I asked, taking off my coat to freshen up in the bathroom.