Ben got home feeling lighter than he had in days. A quiet sense of relief settled in his chest as he dropped onto the couch. For a moment, he just sat there, staring at his phone… then, almost instinctively, he called Luisa.
The phone rang for a while before she finally picked up.
Ben: "Hi… are you home?"
Luisa: "Yes… and you?"
Ben: "Yeah, I just got home."
Luisa: "That's good…" she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ben frowned slightly.
Ben: "Are you okay? Your voice doesn't sound right."
Luisa: "Oh… no, I'm just tired. The bus was too crowded today."
Ben: "You should've called me. I could've given you a lift."
Luisa: "No… it was fine."
Ben: "Alright… but if you ever need help, just call me."
Luisa hesitated for a moment, her fingers tightening around her phone.
Luisa: "Okay… I will."
A brief silence followed.
Ben: "Okay then… bye. Take care."
Luisa: "Bye…"
The call ended, but Luisa remained still, her mind drifting somewhere far away.
Luisa (thinking): I should just focus on my studies…
Needing some air, she stepped outside for a walk.
The streets were glowing under soft yellow lights. A gentle breeze brushed against her skin, carrying the quiet hum of the night. The sky above looked calm and endlessly beautiful.
Luisa took a deep breath and sighed.
Luisa: "This is so beautiful… it always feels good to come out."
She made her way to a nearby park, walking slowly. Even though her heart felt heavy, the fresh air helped ease the tightness in her chest.
Luisa (thinking): I just… don't want to meet him.
She walked quietly, her eyes wandering around, lost in her thoughts.
Then suddenly—
"Luisa…"
Her body froze.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Luisa (whispering): "No… please…"
She didn't turn. She didn't want to.
But the footsteps grew closer.
Slowly… hesitantly… she turned around.
And then—
Her eyes widened in surprise.
It wasn't the person she feared.
It was David.
He looked a little tired, but there was a warmth in his expression. He wore black denim jeans, a gray T-shirt, and a black jacket, making him look effortlessly composed.
David: "Hi, Luisa."
Luisa: "Ah… h-hi… Dav… David… You're here? I mean—you didn't tell me you were coming…"
Before she could finish—
David stepped forward and gently pulled her into a hug.
For a moment, Luisa froze.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"Ah… David…"
But no words followed.
Then slowly… almost unconsciously… she wrapped her arms around him too.
David was tall, so Luisa had to lift herself slightly onto her toes, her fingers softly resting against his shoulder. Her touch was hesitant at first… but real.
David held her carefully, yet tightly—as if he had been waiting for this moment for a long, long time.
There was something different in that hug.
It wasn't just a greeting.
It felt like comfort… like longing… like something unspoken finding its way through silence.
David (softly, near her ear): "I missed you, Luisa…"
Luisa's breath hitched slightly.
Her heart fluttered in confusion, warmth, and something she didn't quite understand.
Luisa (shy, awkward): "M-me too… How are you?"
David: "I'm better now… and you?"
Luisa lowered her gaze, suddenly feeling shy.
Luisa: "I'm… fine."
But deep inside, she realized something—
She needed this.
This warmth… this quiet comfort… this feeling of being held without questions.
After a few seconds, David seemed to come back to his senses.
His expression changed slightly.
What am I doing…? he thought.
Slowly, he pulled away.
David: "Oh—I'm so sorry… I just—I mean…"
Luisa (quickly, a little flustered): "It's okay… really."
To Luisa, it felt like a simple gesture between friends.
But for David… it meant much more.
He looked at her carefully.
Her face looked tired… her eyes slightly dull… as if she had been carrying something heavy inside her.
Luisa: "By the way… when did you come? You didn't tell me."
David: "I just got here—from the airport," he said quickly.
Then, with concern, he added, "Are you okay? You look tired."
Luisa: "Oh… yes… just a little tired."
Luisa (softly): "But… you're here…"
David: "Yeah. I was heading to my apartment when I saw you, so I thought I should come say hi."
Luisa: "You must be tired from traveling."
David: "Just a little."
Luisa: "You should go and rest."
David: "Yeah… I will. Bye then. Take care… I'll see you tomorrow."
Luisa: "Bye, David."
David walked toward his car, where his father's assistant was waiting.
He got inside, but before the door closed, he looked at Luisa through the window.
She stood there under the soft streetlight… quiet… fragile… beautiful.
His chest tightened.
David (thinking): How do I tell you, Luisa… how much I missed you… how much I love you…?
The assistant glanced at Luisa, then at David.
Assistant: "She's beautiful, sir. Your girlfriend?"
David shook his head lightly.
David: "No… we're just friends."
The assistant smiled faintly.
Assistant: "It doesn't look like that… Do you like her?"
David didn't hesitate this time.
He looked back at Luisa one more time.
David: "Yes."