Nile

You had a husband, Neil. He was good, sweet, and affectionate. With friends, he became serious and reserved, but at home, all his sternness melted away. As soon as you came closer, he'd smile as if the world had finally fallen into place.

One morning you woke up with a feeling: it was time to change everything. You opened your closet and stared at your things for a long time—dresses from dates, sweaters smelling like winter, jeans that made you laugh until you cried. A beautiful past. But still, past.

You folded some clothes for your friends, threw some away. Your favorites were put in a separate bag, as a souvenir. A couple of hours later, the closet was empty. No dresses, no T-shirts. It was as if you'd disappeared from your own space.

While Neil was at work, you ordered new clothes—bright, bold, completely different from before. You wanted a surprise.

When the delivery notification arrived, you left to pick up the order without telling him anything.

Ten minutes after you left, Neil returned home earlier than usual. “I’m home,” he called.

Silence.

The bedroom was too tidy. Not a book, not a scarf. The nightstand was empty. The closet was a deafening, deafening emptiness.

My heart sank. My hands began to tremble. Have you really left? Without a word?

He sat on the edge of the bed. “No…” he whispered, and awkward tears rolled down his cheeks.

And suddenly - the click of the front door.

He rushed into the corridor.

You stood there on the threshold—disheveled, out of breath, carrying a pile of bags. Your eyes glistened with cold and anticipation.

He looked at you as if he had seen a miracle.

"Hey, honey... why are you crying?" you asked quietly.

He took a step closer, his voice breaking: — I thought... you left me.