Ben stood by the window of his apartment while talking on the phone.
It was his mother.
Ben:
"Hi Mom. How are you?"
His mother's warm voice came from the other side.
Ben's Mother:
"I'm good, honey. How are you?"
Ben paused for a moment before answering.
Ben:
"I'm fine."
His mother could sense the slight hesitation in his voice but chose not to push him.
Ben's Mother:
"So, how do you like Himmer? And have you made any friends yet?"
Ben looked outside at the cloudy sky.
Ben:
"It's good… although it rains a lot here. And yes, I've made some friends."
His mother sounded happy.
Ben's Mother:
"That's great to hear."
Ben hesitated again before speaking.
Ben:
"Mom…"
Ben's Mother:
"Yes, honey?"
Ben stared at the wet street below.
Ben:
"Do you ever miss Himmer?"
There was a small pause.
His mother seemed lost in memories for a moment.
Ben's Mother:
"Yes… sometimes I do."
Her voice softened.
Ben's Mother:
"I miss the wet streets, the beautiful old buildings, and the riverbank. It was always so peaceful there."
Ben listened quietly.
Ben's Mother:
"Have you visited the riverbank yet?"
Ben shook his head slightly, even though she couldn't see him.
Ben:
"Not yet… but I will someday."
They continued talking for a while longer about small things—about life, the city, and memories.
After the call ended, Ben felt a little lighter than before.
Meanwhile
After finishing her studies, Luisa lay down on her bed.
She picked up her phone and noticed a message from David.
It had been sent two hours ago.
Message from David:
Are you home?
Luisa quickly typed a reply.
Luisa:
Yes, I'm home. I'm sorry for replying so late.
After sending the message, she went to the kitchen to prepare dinner for herself.
While she was cooking, her phone buzzed again.
It was David.
David:
That's great. And it's okay, no problem.
Luisa smiled slightly.
A little later, while eating her dinner, she replied.
Luisa:
Thank you for understanding.
A moment later, another message appeared.
David:
Did you have dinner?
Luisa typed while finishing her meal.
Luisa:
Yes, I'm having it now. What about you?
David:
Not yet. I'm completing some university work.
Luisa:
I just finished mine.
David:
Wow, you're amazing. Enjoy your meal.
Luisa smiled softly at the message.
Luisa:
And don't forget to eat.
After that, she quietly put her phone aside.
Before going to sleep, she sent one last message.
Luisa:
Good night.
She turned off the lights and lay down in bed.
But sleep didn't come easily.
Her mind wandered back to the night before.
Luisa (thinking):
Why did Ben look so angry this evening?
She stared at the ceiling.
I hope everything is okay…
I wish I could ask him.
The Next Day
The next morning, Luisa arrived at the university.
As soon as she entered the campus, her eyes began unconsciously searching for Ben.
She looked worried.
While walking through the corridor, she suddenly saw him.
Ben was walking down the hallway.
Luisa (thinking):
Ben…
Her heart beat a little faster.
Should I talk to him?
Ben looked tired and upset.
Luisa wanted to approach him.
But something stopped her.
She quietly watched him walk away.
After a moment, she sighed and continued toward her classroom.
When she entered the class, she noticed Ben already sitting in his seat.
He didn't notice her at all.
Luisa walked to her seat and sat down quietly.
On the other side, David was already there.
He looked at her and smiled.
David:
"Good morning, Luisa."
Luisa returned the greeting.
Luisa:
"Good morning, David."
Just then, the professor entered the classroom, and the lecture began.
The students focused on their notes and the lesson.
But two people in the room were not paying attention.
Ben sat quietly, lost in his own pain.
And Luisa…
Her eyes kept drifting toward him.