If Only There Was A Switch In My Heart It Should Be For 'Reset'.

A Switch In My Heart It Should Be For 'Reset'. - Chapter 3

Irene watches Wendy putting her chopsticks down slowly and taking a sip from her drink. She knows that the sooner they talk about this the better. She takes a deep breath and waits until Wendy has set her glass down. She sees Wendy leaning back in her chair - wiping her mouth with the napkin.

"How bad is it?" Irene asks - her eyes on the empty glass in her hand. She can't look at Wendy. She's afraid she will break down right then and there.

"How bad is what?" Wendy calmly replies.

"You know what I'm talking about," Irene weakly says. "How bad does it feel? When do you plan to end this?"

"W-what?" Wendy looks at Irene. She didn't expect Irene to be so blunt about this.

"It's been a great year," she smiles sadly at the glass. "And I sincerely thank you for that but I think it's time." Irene clenches her jaws to prevent the brimming tears from falling. She places her glass on the table. "Spare yourself, Wendy. I know you can't do this and I'm fine with it. I understand and it's expected, to be honest."

Wendy sees the glistening eyes and feels guilty. She doesn't know what to say. She doesn't want to let Irene go no matter how uncomfortable things have become. She looks down at the half empty bowl in front of her.

"So?" Irene asks again after a few seconds of silence. She tries to look at Wendy but averts her eyes again. The sad and guilty expression breaks her heart. She doesn't want to do this either but she loves Wendy too much to let her waste more time doing something she knows won't last - something that has become more of a burden.

Wendy merely shakes her head.

Irene sighs. "It's fine. I'm fine. We'll stay friends so you don't need to worry." She tries to smile.

Wendy looks up and sees the trembling lips that are trying to form a smile and the tears that are ready to spill from Irene's eyes any second. She grips her glass. "No. Everything's fine the way it is."

"It's not and you know it. We both know it." Irene raggedly inhales. She looks away to wipe a drop of tears that had managed to roll down her face. She quickly stands up - taking her glass and bowl to the sink - to prevent Wendy from seeing her cry.

Wendy knows. She leaves her seat and hugs Irene from behind. "I'm sorry. I'll try harder." She leans her head on the back of Irene's neck and closes her eyes. I'm sorry, Irene-ah.

Irene shakes her head. Her hands grip the edge of the sink. "Stop trying to be someone you're not, Wendy. You've tried your best but sometimes your best is just not enough. This is not who you are. Let it go." Let me go.

Wendy swallows as she tightens her hold around Irene's waist. "No."

"We'll still be friends." She quickly wipes the rest of the tears that are now flowing freely down her cheeks. She sniffs.

Wendy lifts her head and tries to turn Irene around to face her. "I'm sorry." She hates to see Irene cry and to know that she's the one who makes her cry hurts too. She helps wipe the tears on Irene's face while holding back her own at the same time. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Irene tries to smile. "It's fine. I know what I got myself into." She takes a deep breath to steady herself. "It's time to let go, Wendy. Please?" She gently caresses Wendy's face with the back of her fingers. "Time for you to be happy."

"I am happy!"

She shakes her head. "Stop lying to yourself and to me. We're not high school kids anymore. I want something permanent. I'm tired of having to start over. I want something that will last me a lifetime with someone who can love me back as much as I love her. I know you can't. And I'm okay with it."