Life had a way of throwing surprises when you least expected them.
Just when Akutu thought she had settled into a rhythm—balancing school, friendships, and personal growth—something happened that shifted everything once again.
It started with a phone call.
She was in the middle of writing an assignment when her phone buzzed.
A number she didn't recognize.
She hesitated before answering.
"Hello?"
There was a brief pause, then a familiar voice spoke.
"Akutu."
Her heart skipped.
She hadn't heard that voice in months.
"Nathan?"
She stepped outside, the air suddenly feeling too tight in her room.
"How did you get my number?" she asked, her voice carefully neutral.
Nathan sighed. "I still had it saved. I just… I needed to hear your voice."
Akutu closed her eyes, forcing herself to stay calm. "Why are you calling me, Nathan?"
There was another pause.
"I made a mistake," he admitted. "I should have fought for us. I should have—"
"Nathan," she interrupted, her voice firm. "You don't get to do this. Not now."
"I know," he said quickly. "I just—Akutu, can we talk? In person?"
She shook her head, even though he couldn't see her.
"You don't get to walk away and then decide when it's time to come back," she said, her voice steady. "I've moved on, Nathan."
He exhaled sharply. "With Kojo?"
Akutu blinked. "What?"
"I see the way you two are," Nathan said, bitterness creeping into his voice. "You replaced me, just like that?"
Anger flared in her chest. "This isn't about Kojo. This is about you thinking you can just show up and rewrite the past."
Nathan was silent.
For the first time, she realized—she wasn't hurt anymore.
She wasn't waiting for closure.
She had already given it to herself.
"You're a part of my past, Nathan," she said softly. "And that's where you'll stay."
Before he could respond, she ended the call.
Her hands were trembling as she slid her phone back into her pocket.
She had imagined this moment before—the moment Nathan would come back, full of regret, asking for another chance.
But now that it had happened, she felt nothing.
No longing. No sadness. No second thoughts.
Only relief.
She turned and saw Kojo standing a few feet away, watching her with quiet concern.
"Everything okay?" he asked.
Akutu took a deep breath.
"Yeah," she said, nodding.
And for the first time, she truly meant it.
The pulleys of life had shifted once again.