Adrian

Seven years had passed.

Seven years since that gray afternoon in the city, when their paths crossed one last time without a word. Just a fleeting glance, one of those that says more than a thousand phrases, but not enough to stop anyone. He went down one street, she down another. Without goodbyes. Without explanations. And without ever having been anything, although inside everything screamed yes.

During all that time, neither knew of the other. There were no messages, no calls, no mutual friends to give clues. But both, from time to time, mentally returned to that corner. To the place where time seemed to stop for a second before mercilessly continuing its course.

*She used to pass by there for no apparent reason. She just walked and looked, just in case. Just in case fate dared.
He, for his part, avoided that corner. Not out of cowardice, but because the memory shook him more than he was willing to admit.

Until one day, they simply… coincided.

It was autumn again. The leaves were falling as they had then, and the sunset painted everything with nostalgia. She was walking quickly, as if trying to escape herself, and as she turned the corner, she saw him.

He was there. Leaning against the same post, as if time hadn't passed, but with gray hair at his temples and a more serene expression. When he saw her, he stood still. Surprised, but not incredulous. As if, deep down, he had expected it.

—Did you come back too? —she asked, her voice trembling inside.
—I never really left —he replied

Nostalgia