' SAT , JUNE 16TH 1996. '
jasmine and tyrell's residence ⸻ 
los angeles , california !







          THE MORNING SUN FILTERS through the curtains, casting a warm glow across my bedroom. I stretch lazily, feeling the softness of the sheets beneath me as I slowly wake up. It takes a moment for me to remember what day it is, and when I do, a small smile tugs at my lips. It's Tupac's 25th birthday. 
I lay there for a moment, thinking about the whirlwind of events over the past few days. The party, the drinks, the almost kiss with Tupac—everything is still fresh in my mind, leaving me in a haze of confusion and mixed emotions. I hadn't expected things to escalate the way they did, but here I am, caught between the past and the present, trying to figure out what to do next.
My mobile phone buzzes on the nightstand, and I reach over to grab it lifting it up to my ear and pulling up the antenna. "Hello?" I say into the receiver wondering who's calling my phone.
"Good morning, babe." It's Kairo, calling at this hour. I hesitate, taking a deep breath to steady myself. Kairo's voice is warm and full of energy, as always. "I was thinking we could spend the day together today. I got us tickets to the amusement park—thought it would be fun to just hang out and enjoy ourselves."
I feel a pang of guilt as his words sink in. He's so thoughtful, always planning things to make me happy, but right now, I just can't. "That sounds really nice, Kairo, but I'm not free today." I say, my tone soft but firm.
There's a pause on the other end of the line. "Oh," he finally says, clearly surprised almost confused. "I thought you had today off . . Is something going on?"
His genuine confusion makes my guilt deepen. I don't want to hurt him, but the truth is, I'm not ready to face him today—not with everything that's been happening between Tupac and me. "I just have some things I need to take care of," I reply vaguely. "I'm sorry."
Kairo's silence stretches for a few moments, and I can almost hear him processing what I've said. "Okay," he finally replies, his voice subdued but understanding. "I guess I'll see you another time then no rush just let me know when you're free."
"Yeah, definitely," I say, trying to sound more upbeat, but the words feel hollow. "Take care, Sanai."  he says before hanging up, leaving me with a gnawing sense of guilt.
I stare at the phone in my hand, feeling the weight of my decisions pressing down on me. Kairo doesn't deserve this. He's been nothing but good to me, always putting me first and making sure I'm happy. But here I am, leading him on while my feelings for Tupac still linger in the background, refusing to be pushed aside.
As I get out of bed and start my day, the guilt lingers, making every step feel heavier. I know I need to make a decision soon, but right now, all I can think about is Tupac and what this day means—for both of us.
     I drive in silence, my mind swirling with a mix of emotions as I near Tupac's place. The afternoon sun casts long shadows on the road, but I barely notice the scenery passing by. My hands grip the steering wheel tighter than usual, knuckles white from tension. I hadn't planned on visiting Tupac today—it's his 25th birthday, and I figure he's busy with some kind of celebration. But when he mentioned it's just a laid-back evening with wings and drinks, I couldn't resist the pull to see him again.
Since our conversation a few days ago, after Zahir's birthday party, I've been feeling a confusing mix of relief and guilt. Relief, because Tupac wants to take things slow and explore the possibility of us getting back together. Guilt, because of Kairo. I still haven't figured out how to navigate my feelings for him, especially after confessing to Tupac that I still care about him. It feels like I'm in deeper than I ever intended, and now, I'm stuck in a mess of my own making.