Luisa stood at the bus stop.
The sky was dark now.
The streetlights were on.
The wind was cold… but she didn't feel it much.
Her body felt too tired.
Too heavy.
Luisa slowly sat down on the bench.
Her hands rested on her lap… lifeless.
Luisa (thinking):
Why does everything feel so exhausting…?
Her chest still felt tight.
Her head slightly dizzy.
She closed her eyes for a moment.
Luisa (thinking):
I just want everything to stop for a while…
The bus arrived.
The sound of brakes pulled her back.
She stood up slowly… almost losing balance for a second, but she managed.
She got inside.
Sat near the window.
Her head leaned against the glass.
The city lights passed by her eyes…
But she wasn't seeing them.
Her mind was somewhere else.
Somewhere heavy.
Somewhere painful.
—
After reaching home—
Luisa opened the door quietly.
The room was silent.
Too silent.
She stepped inside… dropped her bag near the door without caring.
Her body felt weak.
As if even standing was too much.
She slowly walked toward the couch… and sat down.
Then leaned back.
Her eyes closed.
Luisa (whispering):
"I'm so tired…"
Not just physically.
But everything.
Her heart.
Her mind.
Her feelings.
A tear slipped down from the corner of her eye.
She didn't even wipe it.
Luisa (thinking):
Why does loving someone feel like this…?
—
On the other side—
Ben reached his apartment.
For the first time in days—
There was a small excitement in him.
He dropped his keys on the table.
A faint smile on his face.
Ben (thinking):
Tomorrow… I'll see mom…
His eyes softened.
Ben (thinking):
And… maybe I'll see her too…
Charlotte.
Even after everything—
A part of him still hoped.
Still waited.
Still believed.
He sat on the couch, picking up his phone.
Looking at old messages again.
But this time—
There was something different.
Not just pain.
But anticipation.
Ben (thinking):
I'll ask her… I need answers…
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
Ben (thinking):
Maybe… everything will be okay…
—
At Luisa's house—
Her phone rang.
She slowly opened her eyes.
The sound felt distant.
She looked at the screen.
David calling…
For a moment—
She didn't move.
Luisa (thinking):
I don't have the energy…
But then—
She picked up.
Luisa (softly):
"Hello…"
David immediately responded.
David: "Luisa… how are you?"
His voice carried concern.
Luisa forced her tone to sound normal.
Luisa: "I'm fine…"
David stayed quiet for a second.
Something about her voice—
Didn't feel right.
David: "You don't sound fine."
Luisa closed her eyes again.
Luisa: "Just a little tired… that's all."
David walked toward his window.
His brows slightly furrowed.
David: "You didn't come to university… for two days."
Luisa: "Yeah… I wasn't feeling well."
David: "You should have told me."
Luisa: "It's okay… I'm better now."
There was a pause.
A heavy one.
David didn't know what to say—
But he didn't want to hang up either.
David: "Did you eat something?"
Luisa looked at the empty room.
Luisa: "Yeah…"
A lie.
David noticed the hesitation.
But he didn't push.
David (softly):
"Take care of yourself… okay?"
Luisa: "I will…"
Her voice was fading.
David felt something tighten in his chest.
David: "Luisa…"
Luisa: "Hmm…?"
David paused.
He wanted to ask—
Are you really okay?
What's wrong?
Why does your voice sound like this?
But he didn't.
David: "Nothing… just… rest well."
Luisa: "Okay… good night."
David: "Good night."
The call ended.
—
David stood there.
Still holding his phone.
His reflection stared back at him from the window.
David (thinking):
Something is not right…
A strange discomfort grew inside him.
Heavy.
Unsettling.
David (thinking):
She's hiding something…
He sighed softly.
Running his hand through his hair.
David (thinking):
Should I go see her…?
—
At Luisa's house—
She slowly lowered her phone.
Her hand slipped from her grip.
The phone rested beside her.
Her eyes stared at the ceiling.
Empty.
Tired.
Broken.
Luisa (whispering):
"I'm not okay…"
Her voice trembled.
But there was no one to hear it.
The room remained silent.
Just like her heart—
Trying to carry everything alone.