Haru sat on a log covered with a thin layer of hardened snow. The forest stretched out before him like a white, motionless ocean, where bare trees raised their dark branches toward a pale gray sky. The wind blew gently, stirring up small swirls of frozen dust that sparkled fleetingly in the dull light of day. A few yards away, Kwan, Rain, and Iris played in the snow, chasing each other with the carefree abandon that only animals know, oblivious to the weight that pressed on their owner's chest.
Haru, on the other hand, was far removed from that scene.
With slow, almost ceremonious hands, he slid his fingers into the inside pocket of his jacket. He took out a photograph, folded several times, visibly worn by the years. He unfolded it carefully.
The image showed a woman of about thirty-five. Her olive skin seemed to radiate warmth even on aged paper; her reddish hair, loose and wavy, fell over her shoulders covered by a cream-colored wool coat. Her deep, lively brown eyes held a serene, luminous smile. Behind her, the snowy forest formed a soft white background, as if nature itself wanted to highlight her presence.
Haru scanned the image with his eyes.
His lips trembled slightly
—Eleonora… —he whispered.
The name came out laden with nostalgia and guilt.
—I'm making the right decision... right? If only you were here... you would know what to do...
Her throat closed up.
—If only I hadn't left you alone that day...
The wind seemed to fade away.
And the memory dragged him mercilessly.
It was autumn, one of those days when the cold was slowly creeping in, heralding the inevitable arrival of winter. Golden leaves covered the path in front of a small, cozy green house with large windows and light curtains that danced gently in the breeze.
The front door opened.
A younger Haru, about forty-five years old, came out adjusting his jacket. He was neatly dressed: white shirt, dark tie, gray coat. His face, less marked by time, still retained a serene firmness.
Behind him appeared Eleonora.
Five years younger, she was radiant even in the cold morning light. She wore a knitted sweater and a reddish scarf that enhanced the warm tone of her hair. She approached naturally and adjusted his tie with delicate fingers.
—Come back early —she said with a soft smile.
Haru looked at her tenderly.
—I will. I'll be home for lunch.
She nodded.
—I'll wait for you.
They said goodbye with a slow kiss, filled with the quiet intimacy they had built over the years.
Then, a sharp bark interrupted the moment.
Kwan, barely a clumsy three-month-old puppy, jumped up on his little legs, demanding attention.
Eleonora laughed.
—Someone else wants to say goodbye.
Haru knelt down and petted the puppy, who wagged his tail with overflowing enthusiasm.
—Take care of her, little guardian.
Kwan responded with another bark.
Haru stood up, waved goodbye, and set off.
The hours passed slowly in the office. The clock ticked irritatingly slowly. At noon, when Haru was getting ready to go home, his boss appeared at his desk.
—I need you to deliver these documents to the city.
Haru looked at him, puzzled.
—Sir, my shift is over now. I have to go home.
The man didn't even consider it.
—They're urgent.
—But going to the city and back will take hours.
The boss's expression hardened.
—Are you refusing?
—It's not that, but...
—I always knew you were lazy, Haru—he interrupted contemptuously—. Do your job if you don't want to be fired.
Anger burned in Haru's chest. It wasn't the first time. That man despised everyone equally.
But he needed the job.
He clenched his jaw.
—I'll go.
Before leaving the office, Haru stopped by the desk where the telephone rested. It was one of those old-fashioned devices, black and heavy, with a spiral cord connected to the receiver and a metal dial that had to be turned with your finger to dial each number. The low hum of the line accompanied the slow turning of the dial, number by number, until she reached her home number.
On the other end, the bell rang with its mechanical chime.
Eleonora answered right away.
—Haru? Is something wrong? Are you off work yet? Dinner is almost ready.
Haru closed his eyes for a moment and rested his forehead against the cold wall, holding the receiver tightly.
—I'm sorry... I won't be able to come home yet. They sent me to the city. I'll try to get back as soon as possible.
For a second, there was nothing but the faint crackling of the line.
—It's okay, don't worry about me —she said—. But that boss of yours owes you one.
—He owes me several.
—You'll see. When we have the flower shop we've always dreamed of, you'll be the boss... and a much more handsome one, by the way.
Haru laughed, more sincerely this time.
—Oh, really? And is that included in the dream?
—Of course. Our little shop, full of light and flowers everywhere. No grumpy bosses, no absurd orders.
—It sounds better and better.
—And no scolding for being five minutes late.
—Then I'll take the job. But only if the owner invites me for tea in the afternoons.
—That's negotiable.
The lightheartedness turned to tenderness.
—As long as you come home safe and sound, that's enough for me.
—I'll be back.
—Take care of yourself, okay?
—I will.
They said goodbye with smiles that neither could see, but that both imagined clearly.
Not knowing that this goodbye would be different.
The journey was long. Bus, station, train. Three hours surrounded by the metallic clatter and the murmur of strangers. Upon arriving in the city, Haru handed over the documents and hurried back. He looked at his watch.
Two o'clock in the afternoon.
If all went well, he would be home before five.
Hours later, at home, the clock read four in the afternoon. Eleonora was reading by the window. The gray light of the sky was beginning to fade when the first snowflakes fell, timid and silent.
She got up, walked to the kitchen, and began to prepare some tea. When she opened the jar of herbs, she frowned.
There was very little left.
She looked out the window.
The snowfall was intensifying.
—Kwan —she said softly.
The puppy appeared immediately.
—Let's hurry to the garden before the snow covers everything.
She wrapped up warmly, adjusted her scarf, and went outside with the little dog. They walked among the trees until they reached the garden hidden among the grove. The snow was falling harder now.
—Let's take what we need and go back.
Then... The house phone vibrated on the table.
An emergency warning:
—Attention all residents, wolves have been spotted near the village. It is recommended that you do not leave your homes until the situation is under control.
But Eleonora was no longer there to hear it.
On the train back, Haru watched as the snow devoured the landscape. Suddenly, the train slowed down... until it stopped.
The conductor's voice echoedó:
—Due to an accident on the tracks caused by the snowfall, we will remain stopped until the problem is resolved.
A bad feeling came over Haru.
He went to the phone in the car.
He dialed. Once. Twice. Three times. No one answered.
The silence on the other end of the line began to weigh heavily on him. But he tried to calm down.
—Maybe she fell asleep...
Although deep down... something inside him was unsettling.