CHAPTER 104

Jason was in a state of anxiety that required him to remain exceptionally calm to address the situation before him. He understood well how love can bring both turbulence and hostility among people, which is why he didn’t want to rush into decisions about his current location. He needed to think carefully before making a choice that could either resolve the issue or lead to a much larger problem, potentially causing significant turmoil in his life.

The heart is a disease, a major problem, and he didn’t want to be the source of such heart-related troubles. Dressed in a suit, he fixed his gaze on the mirror reflecting the scene outside the hospital, observing people as they entered and exited. Though his eyes were on the outside, his mind was focused on the ongoing events. He had to make one of the most difficult decisions imaginable, which is precisely what he decided to do at that moment.

He turned around with a smile but directed it toward Nayrah, rather than Monalisa. The reason for this choice would become clear later on. The woman approached slowly and formally, her short run part of her effort to reach the man who had appeared in her dreams all night— a man who she saw her children calling him “dad.” Jason, not wanting to be selfish, allowed Nayrah to embrace him like a child reuniting with her mother, who had returned and needed comfort.

Nayrah was unaware of the pain she was causing Monalisa, but she wasn’t at fault as she believed that man was rightfully hers alone. What could Dr. Nayrah have understood about this situation?

If Nayrah had been in Monalisa’s position, it’s doubtful she would have had the courage to witness this scene. Monalisa watched, especially as Nayrah eagerly kissed Jason, seeking the essence of a love that was intended solely for romantic moments. After such an encounter, if someone were to place it in a cup, you might even vomit it out. To Monalisa, it was more than just a drama about love; it felt like a reality she was watching, and soon she would return to her reality, waking from this nightmare. But was it a nightmare? No! It was the harsh truth.

Genres of love are not the same as literary genres. Literary genres might lack certain elements, and the work can still be considered complete, though it may show some failure on the writer’s part. But what about genres of love? The heart cannot endure the pain that literature can withstand. The heart introduces new, persistent afflictions on many faces. Monalisa wept, even unaware that tears were streaming down her face. Her legs felt heavy; she desperately wished she could run far from this place, but where would she find the strength? Absolutely nowhere! She couldn’t.

Jason took Nayrah’s hand before saying anything and began to leave with her. The area was not suitable for discussions; they needed to talk in a completely quiet place without interruption.

While Nayrah rested her head on Jason's shoulder as they walked slowly, Monalisa faced an unfortunate turn of events. As the pair exited, they passed right by where Monalisa stood, and to her shock, Jason walked past her as if he didn't recognize her at all. The world seemed to turn against her at that moment. She called out:

“Jason!” Her voice reached the ears of both Jason and Nayrah, causing them both to turn around. Jason's expression was devoid of any recognition, making it clear he had no idea who she was.

“Why are you doing this to me? Do you not even recognize me, walking past me as if I were a newspaper delivery?” Monalisa's voice was filled with deep sorrow, tears streaming down her innocent face.

Who would have guessed that Monalisa was a feared spy within the CIA? Who would believe such a claim given her appearance and demeanor at that moment? Even her shadow would have betrayed her. Love and its complexities are fragile, and literary interpretations of the heart cannot withstand the heavy emotional burdens written on it by its author. At that moment, the author of Monalisa’s emotional story was none other than Jason.

Jason’s response left Monalisa feeling powerless, causing her to collapse in despair.

“Who are you, my sister?” Jason's question seemed to crush Monalisa under the weight of the world.

She wanted to laugh but found herself incapable. This was the man she had sought permission from in the United States, even exchanging affection to come here for him. And now, he was asking her who she was.

“Don’t you know me?” Her dejected question made Jason glance at Nayrah, her eyes mixed with pity and jealousy, as there was a chance his beloved might be taken from him. Even the woman crying for him was strikingly beautiful.

Jason took out a handkerchief and approached Monalisa, his eyes stern. He reached her, offering the handkerchief after bending down.

“My name is Jason. That’s my name, and you might have learned it from my brother’s funeral because some people got to know my name through that. Although I’m surprised you could recognize my face. I don’t know you, have never met you, and have no memory of encountering anyone like you in my life. Perhaps there’s a resemblance between me and your man,” Jason said, still holding the handkerchief, as Monalisa was too distraught to accept it.

"I am the younger sibling of the Chief Justice of Tanzania, who we just buried the other day. So, I am not well at the moment, which is why I am with my partner here, who is helping me feel a bit better. Please forgive me if my presence here has caused you any trouble or if I have brought you any heartache. I am leaving now, but if God will, we will meet again. And if we do meet again someday, I would not want to see you crying like this. It pains me greatly to see a woman crying in front of me, perhaps because I have never received a mother's love, which is why it hurts me so much. I always think of my mother whenever a woman cries in front of me." Jason spoke with profound wisdom but with deep pain in his heart.

Even though he had been with this woman for a specific purpose, he still had a considerable amount of love for her. They had shared many experiences and deeply enjoyed their time together, with each acknowledging how much they cherished and needed each other. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, Jason felt that there was no possibility of being with this woman. This is why he made the difficult decision to reject her, speaking loudly enough that Nayrah, standing nearby, could clearly hear him, so she would be free and not feel badly toward him.

Can you reject someone you love like that by saying you do not know them? That’s exactly what Jason did. His eyes were very dry, but his heart was soaked with emotion. He spoke heavy words, but his heart betrayed him with pain he did not even understand the end of. He got up and followed Nayrah, beginning to leave without looking back at the woman he had left behind.

Monalisa laughed loudly and forcefully,

“Hahahahahah hahahaha hahahhaha.” She did not laugh to show joy but rather to soothe her soul, although she was not completely sure if it would help.

The man she had just seen knew for sure that he was her Jason, who had changed since he received the call that day at Harvard University. And now he claimed not to be the same person. No, no, she knew that man completely; she could recognize him even from a thousand meters away. How could he be saying he was not her Jason?

"My love cannot be lost; I say no one born in this life can take my heart from me," she said angrily, rising to her feet.

She took the handkerchief Jason had left behind and began to run. She reached the bottom where she forcefully got into her car and drove away with such speed that left everyone at the hospital stunned, unsure if she would reach the end of her journey. But that was her right choice; she needed to go find peace of mind concerning the issues that had befallen her.