The woman's eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. He felt a shiver run down his spine as she began to walk towards him, her gown flowing like a misty veil. Her features became clearer with each step - high cheekbones, a small nose, and full lips that curved into a gentle smile.
"Alexandre ?" she said, her voice like a soft breeze on a summer day.
He was taken aback, unsure how to respond. No one had called him by that name in years, not since his childhood in this very town.
"Lena" he ventured, his voice barely above a whisper.
The woman nodded, her eyes sparkling with a hint of disbelief. "I see you still remember me."
Remember her? How could he forget? Lena had been one of the memories that kept him going, his confidante during those carefree summer days. They had explored the cliffs, the caves, and the hidden coves, their laughter echoing through the town.
As they stood there, the past came flooding back - the memories they had created, the secrets they had shared, and the heartaches she must have endured. Alexandre felt a lump form in his throat, a mix of emotions he couldn't quite untangle.
"Lena, it's been so long," he said, his voice cracking with emotion.
Lena's smile faltered, and for a moment, he saw a glimmer of sadness in her eyes. "Yes, it has," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Too long."
Alexandre's heart sank, weighed down by the guilt and shame he had carried for so long. He knew he had hurt her, hurt them both, by leaving without a word, without a glance back. He had abandoned their friendship, their love, and their dreams, all because of his own fears and doubts.
As Lena took another step back, her eyes never leaving his, Alexandre felt the urge to reach out, to apologize, to make amends. But he knew he didn't deserve it. He didn't deserve her forgiveness or her love. He had thrown it all away, and now it was too late.
Lena's face showed a slight mix of pain and longing but quickly reverted back.
Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Alexandre standing there, feeling like a shipwrecked sailor, lost and alone on the rocky shores of his past .
He knew he should follow her, should try to make things right, but he couldn't. He was too ashamed, too cowardly. He let her go, let her disappear into the distance, knowing he had lost his chance to redeem himself, to reclaim their love, and to heal the wounds of their past.
The waves crashed against the shore, a haunting melody that echoed the sorrow in his heart. Alexandre stood there, alone and defeated, the wind whipping his hair into a frenzy as he whispered a silent apology to the woman who had once been his everything.