The price of Betrayal

Esa was an ordinary boy. Born into a poor family, he lived his life with the help of his parents' prayers and his own hard work. He studied at a small-town college and worked in a hotel in the evenings, washing dishes to pay for his fees and books. In his heart, he carried a dream — the dream of becoming a successful man. But that dream was shattered when Alia entered his life.

Alia was the only daughter of a wealthy father — the owner of the city’s largest business empire. Luxurious cars, expensive clothes, and an entourage of servants were a part of her daily life. Yet deep inside, she felt an emptiness — a void that perhaps was momentarily filled by Esa’s simplicity, sincerity, and love.

They met at a college event where Alia had come as a chief guest. Esa, being the event organizer’s assistant, guided her through the arrangements. His politeness and honesty stood out in a world full of pretension. That brief encounter turned into conversations, the conversations into friendship, and eventually, that friendship into love — or at least that’s what Esa believed.

For Alia, Esa was a break from her fake, glittery world. She admired how he talked about dreams, values, and purpose, unlike the rich guys she knew. Slowly, she started meeting him in secret, spending hours with him in public parks, old libraries, and simple tea shops — places far removed from her elite lifestyle.

Esa, on the other hand, was completely devoted. He began seeing his future in her. Despite knowing the vast difference in their worlds, he believed that love could conquer all.

Months passed. Esa  started planning for a better future, trying harder in his studies, even refusing certain shifts at the hotel just to spend time with Alia. He wrote poems for her, brought her flowers — cheap but heartfelt. And she? She smiled, hugged him, kissed him — made promises.

But the fairy tale didn’t last.

One day, Esa waited for hours at their favorite tea stall. Alia never came. Nor did she pick up his calls. Days turned into weeks. When he finally gathered the courage to visit her mansion, he was stopped at the gate.

“She doesn’t want to see you,” the guard said coldly.

Broken and confused, Esa wandered the streets. One evening, he saw her — dressed in designer clothes, laughing in a restaurant with a rich man — holding hands, sharing smiles, and living a life he could never afford.

His heart sank.

She had moved on — or perhaps, she was never truly in love. Maybe he was just a phase for her, a thrilling adventure before she returned to her lavish world.

The man with her was the son of a senator, someone her father approved of. A week later, their engagement was announced in the newspaper.

Esa didn’t cry that night. He just sat under the same streetlight where she once promised to stay with him forever, staring at the sky. He realized love meant different things for different people. For some, it was a commitment. For others, a pastime.

Alia continued her life — shopping, traveling, attending parties, showing off her love for her new friend on social media. She was glowing, enjoying every moment of luxury and love.

But Esa? He drowned himself in books and work. He became silent, more mature, more distant from emotions. He learned to live with a scar, a lesson etched deep into his soul — never to trust smiles without depth.

Years passed.

Esa  became a civil servant, respected and admired. He never sought revenge. He just moved forward. Alia, on the other hand, faced scandals and betrayals from the same world she chose over him. Her marriage collapsed within two years. But by then, Esa  had vanished from her world — forever.

Moral of the story:

Love built on lies and convenience never lasts. True hearts may break, but they never forget — and they always rise again, stronger and wiser