The evening had settled gently over the city.
The sky was painted in soft shades of orange and fading blue, slowly sinking into night. The wind was cool, brushing lightly against Luisa's face as she walked toward the riverbank.
Everything felt… quieter today.
Not peaceful— But not as suffocating as before.
Luisa walked slowly, her hands tucked into her sleeves, her eyes lost in the flowing river.
Luisa (thinking):
It feels different today…
Maybe because he's not here…
She paused near the railing.
The water reflected the dim lights of the city, shimmering softly. For a moment, she just stood there… breathing.
Trying to exist without pain.
But—
"Luisa."
That voice…
Soft. Familiar.
Her heart skipped.
She slowly turned—
And there he was.
David.
Standing a few steps away.
He wasn't dressed formally today. Just a simple shirt and jeans… yet he still carried that calm, composed presence.
But his eyes—
They weren't calm.
They were searching.
Worried.
Relieved.
David:
"I finally found you…"
Luisa blinked, a little surprised.
Luisa:
"David…? You're here…"
David let out a quiet breath, stepping closer.
David:
"I went to your house. Your landlady said you went out… so I thought—"
(he looked around)
"—you might be here."
Luisa didn't know what to say.
Something inside her felt… warm.
And unfamiliar.
Luisa:
"You didn't have to come looking for me…"
David gave a small, soft smile.
David:
"I did."
A silence fell between them.
But it wasn't heavy.
Not like before.
David looked at her carefully.
Her pale face.
Her tired eyes.
His expression softened.
David:
"Luisa… you don't look okay."
Luisa quickly looked away.
Luisa:
"I'm fine… just a little tired."
David stepped closer.
Not too close—
Just enough.
David:
"You didn't come to university for two days."
Luisa stayed quiet.
David (softly):
"And you weren't picking up calls…"
His voice lowered.
David:
"I was worried."
That word—
worried—
It hit differently.
Luisa's fingers tightened slightly.
Luisa (thinking):
Why… does this feel so different…?
She forced a small smile.
Luisa:
"I told you… I wasn't feeling well."
David looked at her.
Not convinced.
David:
"And now?"
Luisa hesitated.
Then quietly—
Luisa:
"…Still not okay."
That was the truth.
And for the first time—
She didn't hide it completely.
David's gaze softened even more.
He didn't ask questions.
Didn't push.
Instead—
He moved beside her, standing next to her by the railing.
Both of them looked at the river.
The wind blew gently.
And then—
David slowly spoke.
David:
"You know… when something hurts…"
He paused.
David:
"You don't always have to explain it."
Luisa's eyes flickered slightly.
David:
"Sometimes… just standing like this…"
"…with someone… is enough."
Luisa felt something tighten in her chest again.
But this time—
It wasn't pain.
It was… something softer.
Something safer.
Her eyes slowly filled.
But she didn't cry.
Luisa (whispering):
"…Why are you so kind, David?"
David looked at her.
For a moment—
He didn't answer.
Then quietly—
David:
"Because… it's you."
Luisa's breath hitched slightly.
She turned her face away quickly.
Her heart—
It didn't ache like it did with Ben.
It felt…
Confused.
Warm.
Scared.
All at once.
The wind grew a little colder.
Without saying anything—
David gently took off his jacket…
And placed it over her shoulders.
Luisa froze slightly.
Luisa:
"David… I'm okay—"
David (softly):
"You're not."
His voice wasn't forceful.
Just… certain.
Luisa held the edge of the jacket.
It was warm.
So warm.
And for the first time in days—
She felt like she could breathe properly.
They stood there…
In silence.
But it wasn't empty.
It was… comforting.
David glanced at her once.
Then looked away.
David (thinking):
You don't have to say anything, Luisa…
I'll stay… until you feel okay.
And Luisa—
For the first time—
Didn't feel alone.