A Yellow Heart
Naz yaf, a 22-year-old university student in El Takistan, was unlike any other student in the classroom. Despite being average in his studies, he had a certain charm that made him the center of attention. He wasn’t the most good-looking guy on campus, but there was something about his charisma that drew people to him. Apart from being a student, Naz yaf was also known for his exceptional skills in sports, particularly football. He had even been a part of his country’s under-16 national team a few years back.
Growing up in El Takistan, a peaceful nation famous for its rich culture and cuisine, as well as its stunning natural beauty, Naz yaf had always been surrounded by love and support from his family. However, due to his family’s business commitments, they were forced to live abroad in the United Kingdom. This left Naz yaf alone in the country he called home.
On his 23rd birthday, Naz yaf decided to treat himself to a fancy meal at a local restaurant. He put on his finest clothes and made his way over to the restaurant, hoping that perhaps his friend and crush, Tonia, would be there as well. As he walked through the bustling streets of the city, his thoughts drifted towards her, and he contemplated how he could finally confess his love for her.
The restaurant was elegantly decorated, with dim lighting and soft music playing in the background. Naz yaf scanned the room, searching for Tonia’s familiar face. To his delight, he spotted her sitting in a booth with a group of friends. Her brown hair fell elegantly around her shoulders, and her fair freckled skin seemed to glow in the soft light. He gathered his courage and made his way over to her table.
“Hey, Tonia,” he said, trying to sound casual as he slid into the booth beside her. “Mind if I join you?”
She turned toward him with a surprised look on her face, her brown eyes widening slightly. “Oh, hey Naz yaf. Um, sure, of course.” She motioned for him to sit down.
As he settled into the booth beside her, Naz yaf took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. “So, what’s up? What are you all celebrating?” He asked, nodding in the direction of her friends.
“Oh, you know, just catching up,” Tonia replied with a shy smile. “How about you? What brings you here on your birthday?”
Naz yaf grinned. “Well, I figured today deserved a bit of celebration, so I thought I’d treat myself to a nice meal. Plus, I was hoping maybe I’d run into someone special,” he said, glancing at her. “And it looks like I was right.”
Tonia blushed slightly, looking away. “Oh, well, thank you. I’m glad you could make it. So, what are you studying these days?”
Naz yaf told her about his major and some of his classes, and they spent the next few minutes chatting about their favorite subjects and professors. As they talked, he couldn’t help but feel a deep connection with her. She seemed to understand him in a way that no one else did, and he found himself losing track of time as they talked.
The waiter came over to take their orders, and Naz yaf ordered a bottle of wine, feeling bold and confident for the first time in a long while. As he waited for the wine to arrive, he couldn’t help but steal glances at Tonia, admiring her beauty and the way she carried herself.
“So, have you been up to anything fun lately?” he asked her, hoping to keep the conversation going.
She smiled. “Well, I’ve been trying to keep myself busy with extra-curricular activities and volunteering. It’s important to stay involved, you know?” Her eyes sparkled as she talked about it, and Naz yaf couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration for her.
The wine arrived, and the waiter poured them each a glass. Naz yaf raised his glass in her direction. “To another amazing year,” he said, clinking their glasses together. They both took sips of the wine, and Naz yaf could feel the warmth spreading through his chest.
“So, what about you?” Tonia asked, returning his gaze. “What do you do for fun? I mean, besides play soccer, of course.” She smiled at him, and he felt his heart skip a beat.
“Oh, you know,” he said, trying to act casual. “I enjoy spending time with my family, and I’ve been getting into hiking and camping lately. It’s nice to get away from the city and enjoy nature.” He paused, taking another sip of wine before continuing. “But honestly, the best part about my life right now is getting to spend time with you.”
Her cheeks flushed at his comment, and she looked away briefly before meeting his gaze again. “Oh, Naz yaf, that’s such a sweet thing to say.” She paused, seeming to search for the right words. “I feel the same way. I’ve always enjoyed our conversations and spending time together.”
The waiter returned to take their plates, and as they waited for dessert, Tonia excused herself to go to the bathroom. Naz yaf watched her walk away, feeling a deep sense of connection to her. Even though she was dealing with a family emergency, she still managed to be kind and caring toward him.
As he sipped his coffee, he glanced at her friends again. They were still laughing and chatting, completely oblivious to the weight their friend was carrying. He wished he could do something to help her, to make her feel better.
The dessert arrived, and Tonia returned to the table. They continued to talk and laugh, but Naz yaf couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. He wanted to help, but he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. He knew that she was dealing with a lot, and he didn’t want to add to her burden.
As they finished their dessert, the conversation turned to their future plans. Naz yaf found himself feeling hopeful and excited, envisioning a future with Tonia by his side. He wanted nothing more than to be there for her, to support her through whatever she was going through.
But he knew that he couldn’t force anything. He had to respect her boundaries and give her the space she needed.
As they exchanged pleasantries and promises to keep in touch, Naz yaf struggled to find the right words to express his true feelings. He wanted nothing more than to tell her how much she meant to him, how much he cared about her, and how he wished he could take away her pain. But he held back, not wanting to ruin what had been a wonderful evening.
He walked her to her car, watching as she unlocked it and climbed inside. “Well, thank you so much for dinner, Naz yaf,” she said, looking up at him with those beautiful eyes. “I had a great time. Do you want my number or anything?”
He smiled, feeling a lump form in his throat. “No, that’s okay. I’ll just see you around at the university, won’t I?” He tried to sound casual, but even he could hear the yearning in his voice.
She gave him a soft smile and reached across the car to take his hand. “Yes, you’ll see me around. And I’ll see you at the next game, okay? Maybe we can sit together and cheer on the team.” Her fingers squeezed his gently before letting go, and she started the car.
Naz yaf felt a pang in his chest as he watched her drive away. A part of him wanted to call out to her, to tell her how he felt, but he knew that now wasn’t the time. He had to respect her situation and give her the space she needed.
As he walked back to his car, he couldn’t help but replay their conversation in his mind. The way she had smiled at him, the way her hand had felt in his. It all seemed so surreal, like a dream he couldn’t quite wake up from.
He knew that he had to be patient, to give her the time she needed. But the more he thought about it, the harder it became to ignore the feelings that had developed between them. He wanted nothing more than to be there for her, to make her happy again.
As he drove home, his mind raced with possibilities. He thought about all the things they had in common, the conversations they had shared. There was an undeniable connection between them, and he knew that he couldn’t simply ignore it.
The next day, Naz yaf decided to take a chance. He went to the campus library, hoping to catch a glimpse of Tonia. He scanned the room, his eyes darting from one person to the next. When he finally spotted her, sitting at a table with her friends, his heart leapt into his throat.
He mustered up the courage to approach her, walking over to their table. “Hey, Tonia. Mind if I join you?” He asked, his voice slightly shaky. She looked up at him with a smile, her eyes sparkling with warmth. “Of course, Naz yaf. Have a seat.”
He sat down beside her, feeling a surge of excitement and nervousness course through his veins. The air between them seemed to crackle with an electric energy. They chatted with her friends for a while, laughing and sharing stories. But whenever their eyes met, there was an unspoken understanding that they were sharing something deeper.
As the afternoon wore on, the library began to empty out, and eventually, only they were left. Tonia glanced at her watch, realizing she needed to get going. “I should probably head home,” she said, gathering her things. “But I wanted to thank you again for dinner. It was really nice.”
Naz yaf found himself unable to speak, his throat tightening at the thought of her leaving. “It was no trouble at all,” he finally managed to croak. “I had a wonderful time too.” He paused, mustering up the courage to say what he’d been wanting to all day. “You know, I really enjoy spending time with you, Tonia.” He swallowed hard. “I think…I think I might like you.”
Her face flushed a deep red, and she averted her gaze for a moment before meeting his eyes again. There was a look of surprise, followed by hope, in her beautiful brown orbs. “I like you too, Naz yaf,” she whispered. “Very much.”
He felt a surge of happiness course through him, making it difficult to suppress a smile. “Do you think…do you think we could see each other more often?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe not as friends, but…?” He trailed off, leaving the question hanging in the air between them.
Tonia’s heart raced as she considered his words. She wanted nothing more than to be with him, to explore the feelings that had developed between them. But she knew that she couldn’t ignore her responsibilities to her family. “I would love that, Naz yaf,” she said, her voice barely audible. “But I can’t promise anything. My family comes first, and I need to be there for them. But I won’t ignore how I feel either. I just need some time to think about everything.”
He nodded, understanding her situation. “Of course, Tonia. Take all the time you need. I’m here for you, whenever you need to talk or just want to get away for a while.” He paused, searching for the right words to say. “And if it’s too hard for you to see me right now, you can always write me a letter. I’ll be sure to check my mailbox every day.”
Their conversation lingered as they exchanged numbers and promises to keep in touch. As Tonia finally left the library, Naz yaf couldn’t help but watch her until she disappeared from sight. He knew that things wouldn’t be easy for her, but he was determined to be there for her however he could.
The drive home was a blur for Naz yaf. His mind was consumed with thoughts of Tonia and their brief but intense exchange. He couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for them. Would they be able to find a way to be together despite the obstacles in their path?
As he rounded a corner, he failed to notice the truck barreling down on him. There was a sickening crunch of metal and glass as it collided with his car. The impact sent him spiraling through the air, his head hitting the steering wheel with a sickening thud.
The world went black for a moment, and when he came to, he found himself lying on the ground, pain coursing through his body. He struggled to sit up, groaning in agony. Around him, the aftermath of the accident was strewn across the road: shattered glass, twisted metal, and a crumpled heap that he knew belonged to his beloved car.
A sudden wave of clarity washed over him as he realized that he had been in a car accident. The events of the previous evening came flooding back, and he could feel a new sense of urgency and desperation welling up inside him. He had to find Tonia, he had to tell her how he felt. But first, he had to find the strength to stand.
Pushing himself up onto his elbows, Naz yaf winced in pain. His entire body ached, and his vision swam in and out of focus. He glanced around, trying to get his bearings. The truck that had hit him was nowhere in sight, but a crowd was beginning to gather at the edge of the road. A concerned expression crossed his face as he wondered how badly he had been hurt.
With great effort, he managed to stand, swaying unsteadily on his feet. His head throbbed, and every movement sent a sharp pain coursing through his body. But he didn’t have time to dwell on his injuries. He had to find Tonia . He had to tell her how he felt.
Stumbling over to his car, he winced at the mangled mess that had been his pride and joy. The driver’s side door was crumpled beyond repair, and the front end looked as though it had been stamped on by a giant’s foot. The airbag had deployed, its once-pristine white now stained with his blood and dirt.
His heart sank as he realized that his phone was gone, likely smashed to pieces in the impact. How would he ever find Tonia now? Panic threatened to overwhelm him, but he forced himself to take deep breaths, trying to steady his racing heart. He looked up at the crowd, hoping that someone might have seen where the truck had gone.
As he stood there, trying to gather his thoughts, he felt a sudden, sharp pain in his chest. He looked down, alarmed, to see blood seeping through his shirt. His breath came in ragged gasps as he realized that he had been injured worse than he had thought. He stumbled backwards, trying to find something to lean on, but his legs gave out beneath him and he crumpled to the ground.
The world around him seemed to fade in and out of focus, and he could feel the warmth of the sun on his face as he struggled to stay conscious. He remembered the dream he had just had, where Tonia had been there with him, telling him how much she loved him. It felt so real, so vivid. Was it just a dream, or had it been some sort of premonition? He couldn’t be sure.
As he lay there, he began to hear voices. The crowd that had gathered around him seemed to be growing louder and more concerned. He tried to respond, to tell them that he was alright, but the words caught in his throat. His chest ached, and his head pounded with every beat of his heart.
In the distance, he could hear the wail of sirens, growing louder with each passing second. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the pain and the noise, and once again, he found himself slipping back into his dream. This time, it was different.
He was walking along a beautiful beach, the sun warm on his face and the salty sea air filling his lungs. There she was, standing at the water’s edge, her long, flowing hair dancing in the breeze. It was Tonia.
As he approached her, a smile spread across his face, and he felt a surge of happiness unlike anything he had ever experienced. She turned to face him, her eyes shining with love and affection, and he knew that this moment was real.
“Naz,” she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. “I’ve always loved you.”
The words sent a shiver down his spine, and he could feel the warmth of her skin against his own. He reached out to touch her face, feeling the softness of her cheek beneath his fingers. “I’ve always known,” he replied, his voice barely audible. “But I was scared. I thought… I thought I wasn’t good enough for you.”
She smiled sadly and shook her head. “You were never not good enough, my love. You were perfect for me from the very beginning.” She leaned in closer, their bodies pressed together, and he could feel the rhythm of her heartbeat matching his own. Their lips met in a tender, passionate kiss that seemed to last an eternity.
As they kissed, Naz could feel the pain and tension melting away, replaced by a warmth and comfort that he had never experienced before. In this moment, he knew that he was exactly where he was meant to be. When they finally pulled apart, he looked deep into Tonia’s eyes, and he could see the love and devotion that he had always longed for reflected back at him.
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the world lift from his shoulders, and he knew that whatever came next, he would face it with her by his side. Together, they walked along the beach, their fingers intertwined, their steps in perfect rhythm. The waves rolled in and out, washing over their feet, and the sun continued its steady descent in the sky.
As they walked, they talked about their lives, their hopes, and their dreams. They shared stories of their past, both together and apart, and laughed about the times they had spent apart. They talked about the future, about what they wanted to do and see, and about the people they wanted to help. And through it all, they felt a connection that transcended time and space, a connection that was eternal and unbreakable.
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, and they found a small, secluded spot to sit down. They held hands as they watched the stars begin to appear one by one, each twinkling light a testament to the vastness of the universe. They stayed there, silent but content, their bodies pressed together, their hearts beating in unison.
As the night deepened, the air grew cooler, and a gentle breeze rustled through the trees. The waves continued to lap against the shore, their rhythmic sound lulling them both into a state of peace. They were oblivious to the passage of time, lost in the moment, in each other.
His eyes fluttered open, and he found himself staring up at the stars, their twinkling light dancing across his closed eyelids. He felt an overwhelming sense of contentment and love, as if he had finally found his place in the world. He could feel her hand still clasped tightly in his, and it comforted him to know that she was there with him, sharing this moment.
He took a deep breath, savoring the cool night air, and smiled as he remembered the events of his dream. It had been so vivid, so real. He wondered if this was what it felt like to die. Perhaps it was his mind’s way of processing the final moments of his life, giving him a chance to say goodbye and find peace.
As he lay there, he thought about the people who had been important to him. He thought about his family, his friends, and the countless strangers who had touched his life in some way. He hoped that they would find comfort and joy in their own lives, and that his passing wouldn’t cause them too much pain.
He closed his eyes, feeling the coolness of the sheets against his skin, and took a deep breath. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine and the sound of distant birdsong. It was peaceful, and he found himself at ease, despite the weight of his impending death.
He thought about the events that had led him to this moment. The accident, the hospital, the long, agonizing recovery. The doctors had given him only a few more hours to live, but somehow, in his dream, he had found a sense of peace and acceptance. It was as if his subconscious had given him a gift, a chance to say goodbye and find closure.
The air in the room seemed to grow heavier, and he could feel the weight of his body begin to fade. His eyelids grew heavy, and he knew that he was slipping away. As he took his final breath, he felt a sense of release, of being set free from the bonds of flesh and pain.
The world around him grew distant and fuzzy, and he found himself floating, weightless. He opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was the familiar ceiling of his hospital room. But as he looked closer, he realized that it was not quite the same. The colors were brighter, the lines smoother, the edges more defined. It was as if he were seeing the world through new eyes.
He tried to speak, to say something, but no words came out. Instead, he felt a sense of peace wash over him, a calm acceptance of whatever was to come next. His body felt lighter, freer, as if it were no longer constrained by the limitations of flesh and bone.
The room around him seemed to fade, and he found himself drifting through a vast, empty expanse. It was neither dark nor light, and there was no up or down, no left or right. He was simply existing, floating in this timeless, formless void.
Time passed, but it had no meaning here. He could sense that he was changing, evolving, growing. His memories and experiences from his life on Earth were being stripped away, like layers of an onion, revealing a new, purer essence beneath. He felt light and free, unencumbered by the weight of his past.
As he continued to drift through this ethereal realm, he began to see other beings like himself, floating and gliding through the void. They were of all shapes and sizes, colors and textures. Some were graceful and elegant, while others were strange and otherworldly. There was no hierarchy, no dominance, no competition. They simply existed, each on their own journey, each with their own story to tell.
He felt a sense of belonging in this place, a connection to these beings that he could not quite explain. He realized that he was not alone, that his existence did not end with his death on Earth. He was part of something greater, something infinite and eternal.
As he continued to drift among the other beings, he began to notice patterns, similarities, and connections. He saw that each of them was on their own unique journey, but they were all connected by a web of love and understanding. Their stories intertwined, their lives touched and transformed by the countless others they had encountered along the way.
He found himself drawn to a particular being, a small, delicate creature with wings of shimmering gold. Its yellow heart, almost the same shade as his own, pulsed with a gentle light that seemed to illuminate the darkness around them. They floated closer to one another, their paths seemingly destined to cross.
As they drew near, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity wash over him. He knew that this being had been with him throughout his life, guiding him, protecting him, even when he was unaware of its presence. Its golden wings enfolded him in a warm embrace, and he felt a deep connection to it, as if they were kindred spirits, bound together by an unbreakable bond.
“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice no longer restricted by the limitations of language or form. “For being with me, for showing me the way.”
The being with the golden wings inclined its head in acknowledgment. Its eyes, like pools of liquid gold, held an infinite depth, and he felt as if he could see the entire universe within them. “It was my honor and my privilege,” it replied, its voice as gentle as a summer breeze. “You have taught me as much as I have taught you, my dear friend.”
As they continued to float together, the universe around them shifted and changed. The void gave way to a vast, starry expanse, and they found themselves soaring through the cosmos. The golden-winged being, the yellow heart guided him through the endless night, pointing out constellations and planets, each with its own unique story to tell.
