Ben stood still in his apartment, his phone in his hand.
He called Charlotte again.
And again.
But she didn't pick up.
After a moment, his phone rang.
For a second, hope rushed through him.
He picked it up immediately—
But it wasn't Charlotte.
It was his mother.
Ben stared at the screen.
His fingers hesitated.
Then slowly… he declined the call.
Instead, he typed a message:
"I'm busy."
A few seconds later, a reply came.
"Okay, honey. Don't forget to take care of yourself."
Ben read it quietly.
His chest tightened.
But he didn't reply.
He just sat there, feeling empty.
Lost.
Everything felt unreal.
Like a bad dream he couldn't wake up from.
He ran his hand through his hair, exhaling slowly.
Ben (whispering to himself):
"Maybe… she'll come back."
He paused.
"Maybe she'll change her mind…"
But even as he said it—
The words felt hollow.
Like something he didn't truly believe.
Trying to Hold On
After some time, Ben changed his clothes and sat on the couch.
The room felt silent.
Too silent.
He picked up his phone again.
Called Charlotte.
No answer.
He typed a message.
His fingers trembled slightly.
"Can you talk…?"
He stared at the screen.
No reply.
His eyes softened with pain.
Ben (thinking):
How can she do this…?
I love you so much, Charlotte… please don't leave me.
He leaned back, closing his eyes.
But the silence only made everything worse.
Luisa's Apartment
At the same time, Luisa was sitting at her desk, trying to study.
But her mind wasn't focused.
She kept thinking about Ben.
The way he stood in the rain.
The emptiness in his eyes.
Just then, her phone rang.
For a moment, her heart skipped.
Is it Ben?
She quickly picked up her phone—
But then she saw the name.
David.
A small sense of relief washed over her.
She answered immediately.
Luisa:
"Hello, David. How are you? And why didn't you come to university?"
In Lore
David was sitting in a large, beautiful mansion.
But despite its elegance, the atmosphere felt heavy.
Cold.
Empty.
His voice was low.
Almost tired.
David:
"Hi, Luisa… I'm fine. And you?"
Luisa:
"I'm good. Where are you?"
There was a pause.
David:
"I'm in Lore."
Luisa's eyes widened slightly.
Luisa:
"What? When did you go there?"
Another pause.
Then—
David:
"My grandfather… passed away."
Silence.
Luisa's heart sank.
Luisa:
"What…? I'm so sorry, David. Are you okay?"
David forced a small breath.
David:
"Yeah… I'm fine. Sorry I didn't call you. I was busy."
Luisa shook her head, even though he couldn't see her.
Luisa:
"David, please don't say sorry for that. And please… take care of yourself."
Just then, someone entered his room.
An elegant older woman.
His mother.
David glanced at her.
David:
"Okay… I'll call you later."
Luisa:
"Okay… take care. Good night."
The call ended.
A Son's Grief
David's mother walked closer and sat beside him.
She gently placed her hand on his shoulder.
Mother:
"Honey… are you okay?"
David looked down at his phone.
His voice was quiet.
David:
"Yeah… I'm fine. Are you okay, Mom?"
She smiled faintly, but her eyes were tired.
Mother:
"I'm fine… but you don't look fine."
David didn't respond.
His silence said everything.
Mother (softly):
"I know you miss him."
At those words—
Something inside him broke.
Memories flashed through his mind.
His grandfather's voice.
His smile.
The moments they shared.
David lowered his head.
Tears filled his eyes.
And then—
They fell.
Slowly at first.
Then uncontrollably.
His mother pulled him into a hug.
Holding him close.
Her own eyes filled with tears.
Mother (whispering):
"It's okay… let it out."
And for the first time—
David cried freely.
Luisa's Thoughts
Back in her room, Luisa sat quietly after the call.
Her heart felt heavy.
Luisa (thinking):
I didn't know… David lost his grandfather…
She looked down.
I hope he heals soon…
Everything felt sad.
Heavy.
Like the world around her had slowed down.
She lay down on her bed.
But sleep didn't come easily that night.
The Next Morning
The next morning, Luisa got ready for university.
But her heart still felt heavy.
She couldn't stop thinking about David.
Or Ben.
After reaching the university, she tried calling David again.
But he didn't pick up.
She sighed softly.
He must be busy…
She understood.
In Class
As she walked into the campus—
She saw Ben.
He was walking slowly.
His expression was tired.
Lost.
Different.
Luisa's heart tightened.
She could tell something was wrong.
They both entered the classroom.
The lecture began.
Students focused on the professor.
But not them.
Ben stared at his desk.
His mind far away.
Lost in his own pain.
And Luisa—
She kept glancing at him.
Quietly.
Worried.
Luisa (thinking):
Something is definitely wrong…