That day was cloudy. Again.
The sky felt like it was holding back something it didn't want to let fall, and the wind drifted slowly, carrying the scent of damp earth—and unfinished memories.
Aurel stood at the gate of the psychiatric hospital for the third time.
But this time was different.
This time wasn't out of curiosity, or longing.
This time, she came because something needed to be resolved.
Not for Rey. But for herself.
A nurse greeted her with a sympathetic smile.
"Today, Rey's allowed outside for therapy. Just two hours. But he asked to be accompanied."
Aurel nodded slowly.
"He wrote your name on a little piece of paper," the nurse added. "Only one name. Aurel."
---
The back garden of the hospital was quiet.
There was only an old wooden bench, untrimmed grass, and Rey—sitting and gazing at the sky, as always.
Aurel approached slowly.
Her steps were light, as if afraid to disturb a fragile silence.
Rey turned his head.
The moment their eyes met, time seemed to stop.
There was no hug. No wide smile. Just a silence that felt too honest.
"You came," Rey said.
Aurel sat beside him.
Close enough to hear each other breathe, but far enough to know… their relationship was no longer the same.
"I still have your letter," Aurel began.
Rey nodded.
"It was the only hope I wrote down… when I thought the world had closed all its doors."
Aurel looked at her own hands. Her fingers trembled.
"Part of me once hoped you wouldn't come back," she said softly.
Rey stayed quiet. But he wasn't surprised.
"Because if you did come back… I'd have to choose," she continued.
"And choosing you would mean destroying someone else's life."
"I didn't come to be chosen," Rey replied gently.
"I just wanted to see you… one last time. Before I truly learn to let go."
Aurel held her breath. Her eyes welled with tears.
"You know…" Rey went on, "every night I'd sit at the window and imagine you showing up with a food package, smiling, and saying, 'Sorry I'm late.'"
Aurel covered her face.
Her tears broke free, uncontrollable.
"But you never came, Rel. Not until I stopped hoping. Until I started believing maybe it had all just been a dream."
Rey looked at her.
"But that day… you came. And you were real. You existed. You weren't a dream."
Aurel grabbed Rey's hand. Firmly. Warm. But shaking.
"I'm sorry, Rey… I truly am…"
"Don't," Rey cut her off.
"You're not the one at fault. I'm the one who came too late."
---
Silence fell again between them.
The wind played with Aurel's hair.
Rey closed his eyes. His face was calm, but his eyes were swollen.
"I have to go back to my room," he said at last.
Aurel held his hand.
"Can I hug you?"
Rey looked at her for a moment, then nodded.
Their hug wasn't long. But it was deep.
And within it, tears fell.
Feelings that hadn't died resurfaced.
And prayers—silent and unspoken—were whispered in their hearts.
"If one day you recover and leave this place…" Aurel whispered in his ear,
"…the life you're looking for is out there. But I won't be the one beside you."
Rey nodded, swallowing the ache in his chest.
"I won't bother you anymore," he said.
"Live a good life, okay? You… you deserve happiness."
---
A few minutes later, Rey walked back into the ward.
He didn't look back.
And Aurel stood alone in the garden, one hand on her growing belly, her heart as empty as the space around her.
She knew…
True love never really disappears.
But sometimes, fate decides that the deepest love… must be let go—
to save two souls from drowning in it.