The next morning—
It was the weekend.
Ben woke up early.
The sunlight was soft and warm, filling his room.
For the first time in days, there was a slight energy in him.
He got ready quickly, packed his things, and before leaving—
He picked up his phone.
He called Luisa.
The phone rang…
But she didn't pick up.
Ben looked at the screen for a moment.
Ben (thinking):
She must be sleeping… she said she wasn't feeling well.
Still—
He typed a message.
"Hi Luisa,
I'm leaving for Aves."
He stared at it for a second…
Then put his phone away.
And left.
—
At the airport—
The morning was bright and sunny.
People moved around quickly, voices blending into the air.
But Ben felt calm.
He sat in his seat inside the plane and took a deep breath.
Ben (thinking):
Finally…
—
At the same time—
David woke up early, like always.
He got ready for jogging.
But today—
His mind wasn't on his routine.
It was somewhere else.
On someone else.
David (thinking):
I'll go see her today… no matter what.
There was a quiet determination in him.
—
At Luisa's house—
Luisa woke up early too.
Not because she wanted to—
But because she couldn't sleep the whole night.
Her eyes felt heavy.
Her body… even heavier.
She picked up her phone.
Saw Ben's missed call.
And his message.
She stared at it.
For a long moment.
But didn't reply.
She slowly got up and went to freshen up.
—
In the kitchen—
Instead of cooking breakfast—
She just made a cup of coffee.
And walked back to the couch.
Sat down.
Holding the cup in her hands…
But not drinking it.
Her eyes were fixed on the wall.
Lost.
Empty.
Luisa (thinking):
I have to stop this…
Her fingers tightened around the cup.
Luisa (thinking):
I can't keep doing this to myself…
A deep breath.
Luisa (thinking):
Mom didn't send me here to fall in love… to get hurt like this…
Her eyes softened, but her expression hardened.
Luisa (thinking):
I'm here to study… that's all.
I have to stop this… no matter how hard it is.
—
After that—
Luisa sat down to study.
Even though it was difficult.
Even though her mind kept drifting.
She forced herself.
Page after page.
Line after line.
Trying to forget.
Trying to move on.
—
Hours later—
Ben's plane landed.
After all the airport formalities—
He stepped outside.
The weather was beautiful.
Sunny.
Bright.
The air felt warm and familiar.
And then—
He saw her.
His mother.
Standing there, waiting.
His face lit up instantly.
After so many weeks—
A real smile appeared.
He walked toward her quickly and hugged her tightly.
Ben's mother laughed softly.
Ben's mother: "Aww… my baby."
She hugged him back.
Ben: "I missed you, Mom…"
Ben's mother: "I missed you too, dear."
She pulled back slightly and looked at his face.
Her smile faded a little.
Ben's mother: "What happened to you? You look so tired… are you okay?"
Ben forced a small smile.
Ben: "Mom, I'm fine. Just tired from traveling."
She didn't fully believe him.
But she didn't push.
Ben's mother: "Alright… if you say so."
They walked toward the car.
Ben: "Let me drive."
Ben's mother: "But you just arrived—"
Ben: "It's okay."
He sat in the driver's seat.
And started driving.
—
As the car moved—
The city unfolded.
Beaches.
Parks.
Cafés.
Familiar roads.
And with every passing place—
Memories came rushing back.
Him and Charlotte.
Laughing.
Walking together.
Going on dates.
Sharing moments.
Everything felt alive again—
And painful.
Then—
His mother's voice pulled him back.
Ben's mother: "How is your father now?"
Ben's expression changed.
Ben: "I don't know… and I don't want to."
His tone was firm.
His mother stayed quiet.
—
After a while—
Ben slowed the car.
Ben: "Mom… let's stop here."
They parked in front of a small café.
Ben's heartbeat suddenly became faster.
He stepped out.
Each step—
Careful.
Hopeful.
It was Charlotte's family café.
He walked inside.
His eyes searched immediately.
Looking everywhere.
Waiting.
Hoping.
But—
She wasn't there.
Only a middle-aged woman and a teenage boy stood behind the counter.
Woman: "What would you like to have?"
Ben didn't respond immediately.
His mother ordered instead.
Ben stood there—
Silent.
Disappointed.
Something inside him… dropped again.
—
They left the café.
And headed home.
A small but beautiful house.
Ben looked around.
Everything was familiar.
Yet something felt missing.
—
Back in Himmer—
Evening had fallen.
Luisa closed her books.
She stood up slowly.
Luisa: "I should get some fresh air…"
A small pause.
Luisa (thinking):
He's not here…
A strange feeling passed through her.
Luisa: "I'll go to the riverbank…"
She got ready and stepped outside.
—
The cool air touched her face.
Soft.
Calm.
But her heart—
Felt everything at once.
Sad.
Relieved.
Heavy.
Light.
Confusing.
Luisa walked slowly.
Her steps quiet.
Her thoughts loud.
Luisa (thinking):
Why does it feel like this…?
She looked at the river.
Luisa (thinking):
You're not here…
A small breath escaped her lips.
Luisa (thinking):
I feel relieved…
Then—
Her chest tightened.
Luisa (thinking):
But it still hurts…
Her eyes softened.
Luisa (whispering):
"Why is loving you so complicated, Ben…?"
The river flowed quietly in front of her.
Just like her feelings—
Moving.
Endless.
Unresolved.