After Ben and Charlotte finished their long conversation on the phone, Ben leaned back against the couch.
Ben:
"Bye… love you."
Charlotte:
"Bye. I love you too."
The call ended.
Ben walked slowly to his bedroom and lay down on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
His mind was restless.
Why did Dad call me back to Himmer… when he knows I never wanted to come here?
He sighed deeply.
Everything feels so complicated. I just want to go back to Aves.
He closed his eyes, trying to clear his thoughts.
Meanwhile
David was leaving the university library and walking toward the nearby bus stop.
The evening air was calm and cool.
Just then, his phone rang.
He answered the call.
David:
"Hi Dad. I'm good. How are you?"
On the other side of the call, his father's warm voice replied.
David's father:
"I'm good, son. How are you? And how are your studies going?"
David:
"They're going well."
There was a short pause.
David's father:
"I'm still wondering… why did you choose Himmer University? You could easily get into any of the best universities in the world."
David smiled faintly.
David:
"I told you before. I just want to do this… have a normal experience."
His father chuckled softly.
David's father:
"I also heard you don't use your cars and that you take buses and cabs instead. Your mother is worried about you."
David looked at the busy street ahead of him.
David:
"I just want to be something on my own… not just a multimillionaire's son. I don't want people to know me only as your son. I want to become someone by myself."
There was silence for a moment.
Then his father spoke again, his voice filled with pride.
David's father:
"Well done, my son."
David smiled.
They exchanged their goodbyes.
David:
"Take care, Dad."
The call ended.
David soon reached his apartment. He dropped his bag and sat down on the sofa.
But his mind wasn't calm.
Is Luisa avoiding me?
He stared at the floor, thinking.
But why?
The thought stayed with him for a long time.
Evening
Later that evening, David decided to go for a walk in a nearby park.
The cool air felt refreshing.
David:
"This feels nice."
After a while, he stopped near a vending machine.
David:
"Maybe I should grab something to drink."
The weather was beautiful as the sky slowly turned darker.
The city lights began to glow.
Himmer looked breathtaking at night.
The old historic buildings stood beside modern ones, their lights reflecting on the wet streets after the rain. The cold wind gently brushed through the quiet roads.
David walked slowly, admiring the beauty of the city.
Then suddenly—
He saw someone familiar in the crowd.
His steps stopped.
It was Luisa.
She was wearing a beautiful maroon sweater, a gray cardigan, black jeans, and boots. Her hair moved softly in the cold wind as she looked around the street.
David couldn't take his eyes off her.
It felt like he had been searching for her without realizing it.
Then their eyes met.
From a distance, Luisa smiled and waved.
David's eyes widened slightly before he waved back.
She walked toward him.
Luisa:
"Hi David! How are you? I didn't see you at the bus stop today."
David hesitated for a moment.
David:
"Actually… I was at the library."
But it wasn't the truth.
Earlier that day, he had been on his way to the bus stop. But when he saw Luisa there with Ben, he quietly turned back and went to the library instead.
Luisa:
"Oh, I see. That's why you're the smartest in the class."
David smiled softly.
David:
"I guess everyone goes to the library."
Luisa:
"Yes… but you still are."
David knew Luisa only saw him as a friend.
But he didn't mind.
As long as he could be near her, that was enough.
David:
"What are you doing here?"
Luisa:
"Shopping. What about you?"
David:
"Just going for a walk."
Luisa:
"That's nice."
David:
"Are you done shopping?"
Luisa:
"Almost."
They started walking together.
Nearby, a wide river flowed quietly beside the sidewalk.
Luisa stopped for a moment, looking at the water.
The wind gently moved her hair, and the city lights reflected on the river behind her.
Her cheeks turned slightly red from the cold.
To David, she looked incredibly beautiful.
For a moment, he simply stood there watching her.
Then Luisa suddenly spoke.
Luisa:
"I want to drink something warm… maybe coffee."
David:
"Sure."
They walked into a small but cozy café nearby.
The warm lights and the smell of fresh coffee filled the room.
Luisa walked to the counter.
Luisa:
"Two warm coffees."
Then she turned to David.
Luisa:
"And what would you like with it?"
David:
"Anything is fine."
Luisa:
"Okay. Two chocolate pastries."
They sat down at a small table.
After a moment, David spoke.
David:
"By the way… thank you for the treat."
Luisa shook her head.
Luisa:
"Please don't say that. I still haven't properly thanked you for saving me that day."
David looked at her seriously.
David:
"You don't have to thank me."
He paused.
David:
"I will always protect you."
Luisa looked surprised.
David quickly added,
David:
"Because you're my friend."
Luisa smiled awkwardly.
Luisa:
"Oh…"
After a moment, David spoke again.
David:
"If you don't mind… can I have your number?"
Luisa:
"Oh, sure."
They exchanged their phone numbers.
After finishing their coffee and pastries, they stepped outside again.
The cold evening air greeted them.
David:
"Thank you again for the treat."
Luisa adjusted her handbag and held her grocery bags.
Luisa:
"Oh please, it's nothing. I should probably go now. It's getting late."
David:
"Let me walk you to the bus stop."
Before she could respond, David gently took the grocery bags from her hands.
David:
"Let me help."
Luisa:
"Ah… it's okay."
David:
"Please."
Luisa smiled.
Luisa:
"Okay, fine."
They walked together to the bus stop.
When the bus arrived, Luisa stepped inside.
David handed her the grocery bags.
David:
"Bye, Luisa."
Luisa:
"Bye!"
The bus doors closed and slowly drove away.
David stood there for a moment, watching the bus disappear into the night before walking back toward his apartment.
Inside the bus, Luisa took a deep breath.
I didn't expect to meet David today…
She looked out the window.
But I'm glad I did.
She thought quietly.
I don't want to hurt him or make him feel ignored…
He's such a kind person.