Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z.
He could've handled his current predicament had he been more prepared for what was to come. He and Bulma had their share of problems. Both together and individually. As a couple that had been together for many years, he didn't anticipate this being the end. No, the scar faced ex bandit couldn't fathom what actually happened when it was so far from their norm.
His death on Namek was a sore topic still. Neither one of them liked talking about it. Yamcha's departure was a cold reminder that these days are indeed not promised to us. He recognized for the first time what it'd be like without Bulma in his life. The thought did terrify him then. They'd already been through so much. She had pulled him out of painful shyness and shown him affection. She was good for him. A sign of greater things on the horizon.
Besides finding love the warrior gained friends. He became part of a group that contained the world's greatest fighters. Yamcha trained and thus garnered more strength and skill than he ever imagined. All his skills far surpassed his wildest dreams! How this was possible he didn't pretend to understand. He had trained with the most sought after King Kai. His limits as a human tested time and time again.
He squared off against mighty opponents alongside his fellow fighters. A hidden potential brought out by the constant danger his home faced. He rose to the occasion even if he had no chance. Yamcha didn't just stand around if he could assist in any way. He pushed himself to be more than he already was. Sparing is what was comfortable.
Females were an enigma he feared so irrationally. Bulma scared him when they first met. He wasn't able to stand being around her. Though he trailed behind her lest he lose the Dragon Ball, he was grateful he didn't end up with the magical sphere. Gaining a girlfriend was far more beneficial. Puar will forever be his oldest and dearest friend. He wouldn't begrudge his companion that.
Once he became used to her presence and life outside the desert, he blossomed personally. He became something more now that he was accepted. Bulma showed him such kindness and patience. Yes, he admired the fire in her. The fact she took the time on him will not be forgotten. So, he learned what a relationship was all about.
They had years with each other. The end of the conversation through him off the most. A breakup was imminent. Arguments had occurred more frequently. They were drifting apart from when they first confessed their love. It was obvious this wasn't working out or going to last. The last nine words were not what he expected.
I'm sorry. I fell out of love with you.
This sentence solidified his worst nightmare. The day where he knew that the love of his life no longer reciprocated his feelings. A permanent and final act of dissolving their relationship. His tears a wake up call that this was reality now despite his desire for it not to be so.
Tears from the emotional distress and pain from the hit his heart just took made breaching challenging. He didn't think it'd hurt so badly. Bulma hadn't said she fell out of love before. Such a thing never even seemed possible! And now his mind couldn't block out her voice resonating within. The tears wouldn't subside. He'd have to live through the irrevocable truth.