CHAPTER 35

"And what about you? Why do you hate the name Krystal? I know my first name sounds plain, but it's still a nice and classic name," I asked him, genuinely curious about his aversion to the name. I could sense that he had been avoiding this topic for a long time, and my guess was that he must have had a painful experience or a past with a woman named Krystal. He avoided making eye contact, indicating that it might be difficult for him to open up. I understood that pain often blocked our emotions, and I didn't blame him for his hesitation. But I wanted to let him know that it was okay if he wasn't ready to talk about it. "It's okay if you're not ready to share or if you can't say it. You can call me Krystal; it won't be a big deal for me," I said, trying to change the mood and lighten the atmosphere. He smiled and shook his head. "That wouldn't be fair to you. Since you opened up, I should too," he replied. His willingness to open up delighted me, as it was a sign of trust growing bet