Friday night.
The city buzzed with life. Footsteps echoed on stairways. Voices murmured in the air.
Cars honked down the crowded streets. Street vendors called out, handing out flyers.
But Leyla. She could almost hear her own heartbeat, fast, loud, alive with excitement.
Every time she entered the café, she looking for him.
He sat at his usual table. They talked. They shared laughter.
Light conversations almost every day now.
The café felt more like home to her, more alive than what she was used to.
And on top of it all... someone was finally waiting for her.
Then one day, as usual, he waited for her.
"Hi, Lucian." She sat down.
He smiled, then gently placed a small book on the table.
"Final Spring," he said softly.
"I always see you reading a book...
So I made one for you."
She was impressed.
"You wrote it? For me?"
He laughed.
"Maybe..."
Then, in the middle of a conversation,
she looked into his eyes always too deep, too far to reach.
He never spoke much about himself.
So she leaned in a little closer and asked,
"So... what about you? What made you choose this café?"
He smiled.
He was usually the one who listened,
not the one who spoke.
Then his lips parted.
"Last season, Last spring. I still remember."
He was there with a blonde girl. Face to face.
At this very café. The mood was calm.
Golden yellow lights. Reflected off the glass.
Everything was good. They laughed, lovingly,
shared drinks. Then her phone rang. She covered it quickly.
He asked, "Who's that? Why don't you pick up?"
She shook her head.
But he could tell something was off, so he kept asking.
And questions turned into arguments.
"You know what Lucian! I can't do this anymore!"
She shouted at him. He was shocked.
"Why Maria?" Lucian asked.
"It's just..."
She couldn't even give a reason.
Just, "I'm done. I wanted to tell you sooner, but I couldn't."
Then she rose quickly.
Lucian grabbed her hand.
"Look at me! And tell me why! Give me a reason!"
She just screamed, jerking her hand away.
"Let me go Lucian!"
"At least tell me why!" Lucian spoke softly, his voice trembling, close to tears.
Then She lowered her gaze.
"...I'm sorry..." she pulled her hands.
Then she ran and Lucian followed her outside.
"Maria!" He called her.
Then. A truck lights. A loud honk.
Tires screeching on the road.
A crash and screaming.
And Then... blood slowly spilled, covering the road.
Lucian gaze low on a table.
"That was it... That was the last time I saw her."
Leyla's eyes widened. "I'm... I'm sorry."
Trying to lighten the mood, she said,
"Tomorrow, let's go to the park."
Lucian smiled. And nodded.
Just then, the barista came again.
"You're our last customers. We're closing for the day."
This time, Leyla let out a small laugh and apologized.
"You look happy today," the barista said.
Leyla grinned. "Tehehe."
The next day...
At the park, the weather was calm almost magical, full of life.
Families and couples enjoyed a wonderful evening.
There she was, just arriving.
Self conscious about in her own dress.
She wore a white skirt and red top,
half her hair tied at the back with a white ribbon.
"Did i overdo it?" She whispered to herself, fingers fussing with her hair.
Then She took a deep breath.
"Where is he?"
Then she saw him standing beside the gate to the park.
waiting for her.
As soon as she spotted him, she ran.
A small run, but faster than a walk.
"Hi," she greeted.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
He smiled. "Not at all. You look beautiful"
Leyla cheeks flushed as her Shoulders stiffened. "T-thank you."
Then, for the first time,
they walked together. outside the coffee shop.
Her face turned red, blushing. On every step.
But he, he was always so calm. Composed.
And sometimes... hard to read.
Then she saw an ice cream truck.
"Hey Lucian, wanna get some ice cream?" she asked.
Lucian laughed, like a gentle chuckle.
"I don't like sweets. But if you want, we can share."
Leyla's face turned hot.
"S-Share an ice cream?"
He looked at her from the side.
"Why not?"
"E-Eek!" she squeaked.
"Y-Yeah, of course!" she blurted.
Then when they arrived.
The vendor asked, "What flavor do you like, miss?"
"Hmm... chocolate ice cream," she replied.
He handed it to her. "Here you go."
"thank you."
As she reached for her wallet,
she realized, Lucian had already paid.
She smiled. "Thank you Lucian?"
They shared the ice cream,
But somehow,
she was the only one eating it.
Lucian just watched.
"You know...
watching you eat that ice cream is better than eating it myself,"
he said.
"S-stop!" Leyla screamed at him, secretly finishing the ice cream herself.
They laugh together.
and had a beautiful walk through the park.
Later that night...
They found themselves lying in a field just the two of them.
Gazing at the night sky.
"Lucian," she called.
He lay beside her. "Hmm?"
"Do you ever wonder what the stars look like?"
She looked up. "I've always wished to see them."
Lucian sat up and looked at her.
"Do you really wish to see it?"
"Yes," Leyla replied.
"Then... close your eyes."
Lucian said. "Trust me. No matter what just close them."
And she did.
She trusted him.
"Now... give me your hands," he whispered.
They stood, her eyes still closed.
She reached out her hands and then a touch.
It felt warm. Different.
For the first time... they touched.
Black...
Then, she saw it.
One tiny star began to glow.
Then another slowly, one by one.
lighting up in colors like glitter,
spreading across the black canvas.
A galaxy bright and beautiful.
She gasped.
"How... how am I seeing all this?"
Lucian's voice was soft and calm.
"It's always been in your thoughts.
You dreamed of this, didn't you?
I simply guided you."
It was only her imagination.
Yet it felt real.
Then she saw it, a shooting star.
"A shooting star!" she shouted.
"I'm gonna make a wish!"
Lucian smiled admired her.
Then he asked, "What will it be?"
Leyla smiled.
"I wish... we'll be together forev—"
But before she could finish her sentence,
Lucian quickly pulled away his hands.
The vision cracked she snapped back to reality.
"W-What?! Why?" she asked confused.
Lucian turned.
"We can't."
He started to walk away.
Leyla's voice rang out,
"What are you afraid of? Afraid of being left alone a second time?"
Lucian stopped.
"...No," he whispered.
"Then why, I'll do anything to be with you."
He turned to face her.
"Then kiss me. Prove to me that you can."
Leyla's eyes widened.
Her heart raced.
Hands trembled. "W-What...?"
She frowned. hesitated.
But she moved closer.
She leaned in.
Somehow, her heart felt so heavy. So so heavy.
until a tear fell.
And then just as their lips touched
a flashback run true her.
It was His memory.
To be continued...