The cold breeze rubbed across my cheeks as I took a deep breath. Coming out of the airport, I looked at the very new view I had seen.
I signaled for a taxi. One stopped right in front of me. A man in his forties got off and helped me with my bags. After taking the seat I told the taxi driver where I wanted to go.
I had never been there in my life. It was all so new to me, the streets, people, shops, houses and even the snow. The taxi driver asked me if I were a tourist. It was too obvious. I replied using the only words I knew in the language. I was really in a new world. The driver also understood my unusual reply.
I opened my mobile phone and started texting my friend, Tanya.
Me: "hi, dear!"
Tanya: "hii, dear!"
Me: "The weather is nice today."
Tanya: "It is snowing here. "
Me: "Yes. It is."
Tanya: "what?"
Me: "What what?"
Tanya: "What do you mean, "Yes. It is."?"
Me: "I don't know what you are talking about."
Tanya: "You know what I mean. You told me it does not snow at your place. Where are you right now?"
Me: "Ummm.. I am at home…"
Tanya: "Really?"
Me: "Yeah.. I am."
Tanya: "Oka..ay. I'll believe you. So what are you doin?"
Me: "I am drinking coffee, sitting on my couch."
Tanya: "Send me a picture."
Me: "…"
Tanya: "Hello?"
Me: "…"
Tanya: "You were lying, I knew it."
Me: "Listen.. Um.. I.. uh."
"We are here, Sir," said the taxi driver, stopping the taxi.
"Thank you, here is the cash," I said as I gave the money to the taxi driver.
Tanya: "You were saying.. Wait there is someone at the door."
Standing at the door I waited for the door to open. The door opened and there she was.
"Hi, dear. I am here."
She was just speechless, couldn't believe her eyes. She stood there, her eyes wide with surprise, her mouth slightly open as if struggling to find the words. For a moment, neither of us moved. The shock of the moment held us both in place.
"Tanya," I said softly, breaking the silence. "I'm really here."
She blinked a few times, as if to clear her vision and make sure she wasn't dreaming. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, her face broke into a radiant smile. She rushed forward, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. I could feel the warmth of her body against the chill of the snowy air.
"You came," she whispered into my ear, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and joy. "I can't believe you actually came."
I hugged her back, feeling the weight of all the miles and months that had separated us lift away in that single moment. "I told you I would, didn't I?"
She pulled back slightly, her eyes searching my face.
"But you never told me you were coming. You just... showed up."
"I wanted it to be a surprise," I replied, my heart pounding in my chest. "I wanted to see the look on your face when I showed up at your door."
"Well," she said, her smile growing even wider, "mission accomplished."
She took a step back, finally allowing me to step inside. The warmth of her home enveloped me, a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. I looked around, taking in the cozy, welcoming atmosphere. It was everything I had imagined from our countless conversations, yet so much more vivid and real.
"Come in, come in," she urged, closing the door behind me. "You must be freezing. Let me take your coat."
I shrugged off my coat and handed it to her. She hung it up neatly and then gestured toward the living room.
"Make yourself at home. Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Tea?"
"Coffee would be great," I replied, my nerves finally starting to settle.
She nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. I took a seat on the couch. The reality of the situation was starting to sink in, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought of how far I had come to be here.
A few moments later, Tanya returned with two steaming mugs of coffee. She handed one to me and sat down next to me, her eyes never leaving my face. "So," she said, taking a sip of her coffee, "tell me everything. How was your flight? How long are you staying? What do you want to do first?"
I chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the coffee. "The flight was long, but worth it. I'm here for a week, and as for what I want to do first... I just want to spend time with you. Everything else can wait."
Her smile softened, and she reached out to take my hand. "I can't believe you're really here," she said again, almost to herself. "It's like a dream."
"A good dream, I hope," I replied, squeezing her hand gently.
"The best," she said, her eyes shining with emotion. "The very best."
We sat there for a while, sipping our coffee and talking about everything and nothing. The initial shock and excitement slowly gave way to a comfortable ease, as if all the years of talking through screens had finally culminated in this perfect moment of togetherness.
After a few hours of talking and catching up, Tanya suggested we go for a walk to get some fresh air and stretch our legs. The snow had stopped falling, and the sky was beginning to clear, revealing a few stars twinkling above. I eagerly agreed, excited to see more of the city and to spend more time with her.
Bundled up in our coats, we stepped outside into the crisp evening air. The snow crunched under our feet as we walked through the quiet streets. Tanya pointed out various shops and landmarks, sharing little anecdotes and memories associated with each one. Her voice was filled with warmth and nostalgia, and I listened intently, soaking up every word.
We reached a small park, the trees and benches covered in a thick layer of snow. Tanya led me to a bench near a frozen pond, and we sat down, our breath visible in the cold air.
"This is one of my favorite places," she said, her voice soft. "I come here to think, to clear my mind."
"It's beautiful," I replied, looking around. "Thank you for bringing me here."
She smiled and took my hand, our fingers intertwining. We sat in comfortable silence for a while, just enjoying each other's presence and the serene beauty of the park. It felt surreal, being here with her after all the months of talking through screens. Yet, it also felt incredibly right, as if this was exactly where we were meant to be.
As we walked back to her place, Tanya suggested we make plans for the next few days. "There's so much I want to show you," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We could visit some museums, try out local cafes, and maybe even go trekking. There's a beautiful trail not far from here."
"That sounds perfect," I replied, feeling a thrill of anticipation. "I'm up for anything, as long as I'm with you."