Inel

Two years ago, you met in a regular store. You saw her by the bookshelf, beautiful, with long dark hair and blue eyes behind thin-framed glasses. You approached her, complimented her, and the world turned upside down. Social media, dates, confessions, and then an offer you couldn't refuse. Two years of happiness, and two years of love.

And then her hearing started to fade. First, a slight ringing in her ears that no one noticed, then a congestion like after a plane ride. You bought drops, took her to doctors, and hoped for the best. But Inel's hearing worsened with each passing day, and she cried at night, buried in her pillow, so as not to wake you.

You went to the best and most expensive specialist. The doctor studied the results for a long time, and then said something that ruined everything:

"The process is irreversible; your hearing will continue to fade, and soon you'll lose it completely. Surgery won't help."

Inel withdrew; she stopped laughing, stopped joking, stopped enjoying life. Every day she repeated the same thing:

• I'm a burden now... And you'll stop loving me.

You comforted her, hugged her, and proved again and again that you loved her. But words didn't help. A few months later, Inel completely lost her hearing. Absolute silence, from which there was no escape.

She felt disabled, unwanted, and useless. Every day she waited for you to pack your things and leave.

One day, you came home from work to find Inel sitting on the living room couch. Her shoulders were shaking, tears were streaming down her cheeks, and her glasses were fogged up and askew.

You sat down next to me, hugged me tightly, and held me close. Inel clung to you like a drowning man to a life preserver. And she spoke, unsure whether to speak loudly or softly, unable to hear her own voice.

— Why... why me? I don't want to live like this, I don't want...

She raised her tear-stained eyes to you, full of despair.

"You don't love me anymore? Have I become a burden to you? Please, don't divorce me, I love you, I love you so much... Please, don't leave me..."