The next day—
The sky was calm, slightly cloudy, with a soft breeze flowing through the city.
Luisa stood at the bus stop, holding her bag close.
Her eyes looked better than before—
But there was still a quiet tiredness in them.
The bus hadn't arrived yet.
She looked around absentmindedly—
And then…
She saw him.
David.
Walking toward her.
Slow steps.
Calm presence.
And somehow—
Just seeing him made something inside her feel… steady.
Luisa:
"David…"
David looked up.
A soft smile appeared on his lips.
David:
"Good morning, Luisa."
Luisa nodded lightly.
Luisa:
"Good morning…"
For a moment—
They just stood there.
Not saying anything.
But it didn't feel awkward.
It felt… comfortable.
On the Bus
The bus arrived.
It wasn't too crowded today.
They both got in.
Luisa stood near the window—
And David stood beside her.
Not too close.
But close enough to be there.
The bus started moving.
Sunlight filtered through the glass, falling softly on Luisa's face.
Her hair moved slightly with the wind from the half-open window.
A few strands fell across her face again.
David noticed.
His fingers moved slightly—
Then stopped.
That same hesitation.
That same restraint.
Instead—
He reached to close the window.
But at that exact moment—
The bus suddenly jerked forward.
Both of them lost their balance.
Luisa almost fell—
But she quickly held the seat, leaning back.
And in that moment—
David held her.
Unintentionally.
He stepped closer to steady her.
Too close.
Luisa closed her eyes tightly for a second.
Her hair flowed wildly with the sudden movement—
Some strands brushing against David's face.
Time—
Stopped.
For him.
The way her eyes were shut…
The way her hair moved across her face…
The way a strand rested near her soft lips—
His heartbeat grew faster.
Louder.
Everything around him faded.
For a moment—
It was just her.
So close.
So fragile.
So real.
David slowly steadied her.
David (softly):
"Are you okay…?"
Luisa opened her eyes.
Luisa:
"Yeah… this bus…"
She fixed her bag quickly.
Then looked at him.
Luisa:
"Thank you… are you okay?"
David nodded.
David:
"Yeah…"
But his voice was quieter.
Softer.
As if he was still stuck in that moment.
He turned slightly—
And reached for the window again.
This time, gently closing it.
David (softly):
"The wind is cold…"
Luisa looked at him.
A little surprised.
She held his gaze for a moment—
Then nodded.
Luisa:
"…Thank you."
David looked away.
But inside—
Something had shifted.
Something he couldn't explain.
The bus stopped.
Both of them got down.
And headed toward their class.
Luisa was quiet.
And this time—
David was too.
Lost in his thoughts.
In that moment.
In her.
In Aves
Ben opened his eyes.
He was in his room.
His home.
For a moment—
Everything felt familiar.
He got up and walked downstairs.
The air was filled with the smell of delicious food.
Warm.
Comforting.
His mother was in the kitchen, cooking his favorite dishes.
Ben:
"Mom… you didn't have to do all this. You have to go to work too."
His mother smiled softly.
Mother:
"How could I not? You came after so long…"
"Come, sit and eat."
Ben sat at the table.
It was filled with all his favorite dishes.
He smiled faintly.
Ben:
"Thank you so much, Mom… you should eat too."
He took a bite.
Ben:
"This is so delicious… you make the best food."
Mother (smiling):
"I'm happy you like it."
After a while—
She got ready to leave.
Ben:
"Let me drop you."
Mother:
"No, honey… I have other places to go too. You rest."
She gently touched his face.
Mother:
"Take care."
Ben:
"Okay… bye."
She left.
The house grew quiet again.
Ben stood there for a moment.
Then slowly—
He went back to his room.
Ben (thinking):
Maybe… she'll be there today…
At the Café
After getting ready—
Ben headed to the café.
His heart was beating faster with every step.
He parked his car.
Took a deep breath.
And walked inside.
The small bell at the door rang softly.
His eyes immediately searched—
But—
His smile faded.
Charlotte's mother stood at the counter.
Charlotte's Mother:
"What would you like to have?"
Ben tried to stay calm.
Ben:
"Coffee."
Charlotte's Mother:
"Anything else?"
Ben shook his head.
Ben:
"No."
And then—
The door behind the counter opened.
A girl stepped out.
Ben's eyes widened.
His breath stopped.
Charlotte.
She froze the moment she saw him.
Shock.
Hurt.
Something unreadable in her eyes.
For a second—
They just looked at each other.
After so long.
After everything.
And then—
She turned.
Without saying a word.
And walked back inside.
Ben stood there.
Frozen.
His fingers tightened slightly.
Ben (whispering):
"Charlotte…"
But she was already gone.
And once again—
He was left standing there.
With unanswered questions.
And a heart that refused to let go.