I Hate My Ex

Arin stood frozen in the doorway, the familiar scent of mangoes and jasmine flooding her senses as she took in the room. The walls were adorned with photographs of Pin and her family, smiles captured in time, reminding Arin of the life they once shared. She felt a pang of nostalgia mixed with guilt. This was not how she had envisioned their reunion.

Pin's expression shifted from surprise to confusion, her eyes narrowing. "What are you doing here, Arin?"

"I… came to discuss buying the land," Arin stammered, trying to keep her voice steady. "I heard it was for sale."

Pin crossed her arms, her gaze piercing. "You didn't even bother to check who owned it, did you?"

Arin felt irritation bubbling beneath her calm facade. "I didn't know it was yours. I just need the land for my business."

Pin shook her head, anger rising in her voice. "You think you can just waltz back into my life and buy the land like it's nothing? After everything that happened?"

"What happened is in the past, Pin," Arin replied, frustration creeping in. "I need this land, and I'm here to make a deal."

"A deal?" Pin echoed, her voice rising. "You think this is just business? You left me without a second thought, and now you expect me to sell to you?"

Arin clenched her fists, feeling the weight of Pin's accusations. "I didn't leave you! I had my reasons."

"Your reasons?" Pin scoffed. "You mean your selfish need to escape? You never cared how your actions affected me."

Before Arin could respond, the atmosphere shifted as a familiar voice interrupted them. "Pin, is everything okay?" Atul appeared at the doorway, concern etched on his face.

Pin turned to him, relief washing over her as she replied, "Just a little… discussion." Her gaze darted back to Arin, her expression hardening.

Atul's eyes flicked between the two women, sensing the tension. "Arin? What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to Pin about the land," Arin replied, her voice tense. "But it seems she's not interested in selling."

Pin narrowed her eyes at Arin. "I'm not selling to you, and that's final."

Atul stepped forward, trying to diffuse the situation. "Maybe we should all sit down and discuss this calmly."

Arin shook her head, frustration boiling over. "I don't need to sit down! I just want to make a fair offer."

"Fair?" Pin snapped, her voice rising. "You don't even know what it means to be fair after how you treated me!"

The atmosphere grew thicker, filled with unspoken accusations and old wounds. Arin took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. "I came here for business, not to dredge up the past. I thought we could work together."

"Together?" Pin scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "You're the last person I'd want to work with after what you did."

Atul looked between them, sensing the growing animosity. "Maybe we should take a break and—"

"No!" Arin interrupted, frustration spilling over. "I don't need a break. I need that land, and I'll find a way to get it without your help."

Pin's eyes blazed with anger as she retorted, "I won't let you take what's important to me! You don't get to come back and demand anything."

The tension hung heavy in the air, and Arin felt her heart racing as she realized the depth of Pin's resentment. "I didn't come here to fight. I just want what I need."

"Then you'll have to find it elsewhere," Pin declared, her voice firm. "I'm not selling to you, no matter what."

As Arin turned to leave, the weight of their unresolved history hung in the air like a storm cloud. She felt the frustration and hurt coursing through her, but she knew she had to keep moving forward, even if it meant leaving Pin behind once again.