The World They Left Behind

Sana scoffed, pretending to be annoyed, but she couldn't deny feeling a bit proud. Maybe, just maybe, dancing wasn't as terrible as she had imagined.

"Congratulations to those who passed the dance challenge. Now, it's time to move on to the next challenge, which promises to be just as exciting! Get ready, because this will test your courage and teamwork as a couple. Are you ready?" The host's voice echoed, igniting excitement among the participants.

The next challenge was quite tricky: assembling a giant puzzle. The puzzle was enormous, shaped like a heart with a complex pattern. They were given only ten minutes, and most couples struggled to complete it.

However, Arga and Sana worked together perfectly. Sana took the lead with her strategy, confidently giving directions, while Arga swiftly assembled the puzzle pieces as instructed. They complemented each other effortlessly, their movements in sync without needing many words.

When they finally completed the puzzle, just seconds before the time ran out, the crowd erupted in cheers. Sana was out of breath, her hands trembling from tension, but she wore a wide smile. For the first time, she felt truly alive.

Arga looked at her, his eyes sparkling with pride. "I told you we could do it."

Sana simply nodded, too overwhelmed by her own emotions to respond. She felt a warmth she couldn't quite explain, like a gust of warm air on a cold night.

When their names were announced as one of the three couples who had successfully completed the challenge just in time, Sana felt something shift within her. She realized that the warmth she had felt all evening wasn't just because of the festival. It was because of Arga.

But their happiness didn't last long. The host continued the announcement with an enthusiastic tone, "All right, since we still have three couples left, there will be a final challenge. You have two options. First, if you and your partner choose not to continue, you will each receive 100 coins. However, if you decide to proceed, we will double the reward to 200 coins, and the winner will receive a total prize of 400 coins."

The crowd's cheers accompanied the explanation, but the atmosphere shifted as the host added, "But wait! For the next challenge, your partner will be swapped with another couple. If you agree to switch partners, you can continue the competition. If not, you will only receive 100 coins."

Hearing this, Sana's emotions became chaotic. If she held on to Arga, her feelings would become too obvious. She didn't want that to happen. They only had ten seconds to decide. The audience's countdown began, "Nine... eight... seven... six..."

Arga looked at Sana, and Sana looked back at him. In silence, they read each other's thoughts. As the countdown neared its end, Arga began to speak, "Sana, we've come this far..."

Before Arga could finish his sentence, Sana suddenly pushed him toward another couple. Arga was stunned, looking at Sana in disbelief. But just as another pair pushed their partner toward him, Arga quickly caught the woman being pushed in his direction.

Sana, moving quickly, grabbed the man who had pushed his partner toward Arga. Officially, they had swapped partners. Meanwhile, the third couple simply held on to each other tightly, refusing to participate in the swap. Everyone was shocked by the turn of events.

The host quickly regained control of the situation. "Well... it seems we have two couples willing to swap partners. Only couple number three chose not to. It looks like you're truly soulmates, unlike the other two who were willing to exchange partners." The audience laughed and cheered.

"Since couple number three didn't swap, you'll stop here. But for your loyalty, we'll add 20 more coins to your prize." The crowd erupted into applause.

Arga now stood beside a woman wearing a silver mask and a long blue gown, making her look like royalty. The woman appeared elegant, but there was a stiffness in her movements, as if she wasn't accustomed to situations like this.

"My name is Arga," he said, trying to break the awkward tension.

The woman nodded slightly. "Nice to meet you, Arga."

Meanwhile, in another corner, Sanaa was struggling to calm her restless emotions. Deep inside, she felt guilty. Would Arga hate her? Would he begin to distance himself? These thoughts haunted her, making her more and more uneasy.

Behind his mask, Arga gave a faint smile. "Sanaa, always about the money she didn't even hesitate to push me hard for it." He held back a laugh and decided to focus. "Alright, let's win those 400 coins."

Arga and his new partner prepared for the final challenge, while Sanaa could only hope that this wouldn't change everything between them.

The race arena buzzed with the loud cheers of spectators eager to witness the final round of the couple's festival. The late afternoon sun hung low on the western horizon, casting en light over the entire arena. The small labyrinth in the center looked even more challenging under that light, with every obstacle casting mysterious shadows waiting to be conquered. A mix of tension and excitement filled the air. This was where the last pair, Arga and the woman, would showcase their true abilities.

"Alright, everyone! This is the moment you've been waiting for," the announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, cutting through the crowd's buzz. "This final challenge is not just about strength but also trust. Let's see if this pair can overcome all the obstacles brilliantly!"

The cheers rose like waves, growing louder as Arga and the woman stepped into the labyrinth. The woman's mask covered most of her face, but the tension was evident in her slightly stiff shoulders. On the sidelines, a girl stood frozen. Her eyes never left the pair. Her fingers gripped the hem of her shirt tightly, and in her heart, a feeling she struggled to admit began to rise: jealousy.

The first corridor they entered was filled with hanging ropes swaying gently in the wind. Each rope hung low, almost touching the ground, requiring every step to be taken with extreme caution. Arga stepped forward first, his sharp gaze scanning the path.