It was one of those evenings when the city seemed to glow a little softer ,when the air felt thick with things left unsaid.
Trez had asked Katriel to walk with him to the hotel he had booked for the night. He said he wanted to talk before she went back to her hostel, but something in his tone carried more than words a quiet longing she didn't dare name.
They arrived at a five-star hotel that shimmered with golden light. The marble floors reflected their silhouettes as they walked in, side by side. The concierge greeted them with a polite smile, glancing between them before saying warmly,
"Ah, you two make such a lovely couple. Are you newlyweds?"
Katriel's eyes widened in surprise, but before she could speak, Trez chuckled and replied, "Yes, we are just arrived from our honeymoon."
The words made Katriel blush instantly. She gave him a playful nudge, and both of them laughed as they walked away. The teasing lingered in the air like perfume.
In the elevator, silence took over but it wasn't empty. Their hands brushed once, then again until finally his fingers curled gently around hers. Neither spoke. They didn't need to.Inside the room, the city lights streamed through the tall windows, painting their faces in soft amber. Katriel looked out at the skyline, trying to calm her racing heart. Trez stood behind her, his reflection meeting hers in the glass. He took a small step closer, his voice low and tender.
"I'm really glad you came," he said.
She smiled, her voice barely above a whisper. "So am I."
They spent the evening talking about their childhoods, their dreams, the strange coincidences that had led them to meet. Time slipped away unnoticed. At moments, their laughter filled the room; at others silence settled gently between them heavy with feeling.When the night deepened and the hum of the city quieted, they found themselves sitting side by side on the edge of the bed, hands still entwined. The connection between them was undeniable soft, warm, and new. Trez brushed a loose strand of hair from Katriel's face, his gaze filled with respect and care. She smiled shyly, her heart full of trust and affection.
They fell asleep close to each other, the comfort of shared warmth surrounding them. The night outside stretched on but inside that room, time seemed to stand still.
By morning, the first light filtered through the curtains, and birds began to sing outside. Katriel stirred, realizing she had to leave for class. She looked at Trez peaceful, half asleep and felt something tender stir inside her. Leaning over, she kissed him softly on the cheek.
"I'll see you tonight," she whispered.
He smiled without opening his eyes. "I'll be waiting."
That evening, Katriel returned to the hotel. The restaurant was softly lit, a single candle flickering between them. Trez looked at her as if trying to memorize every detail the curve of her smile and body ,the sound of her laughter, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was nervous.
When dinner ended, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
"I have something for you," he said quietly.
Inside was a simple, elegant silver ring,with a small crystal that caught the candlelight like a drop of morning dew.
"It's not an engagement ring," he explained, his voice trembling slightly. "It's a promise. I'll be leaving for Turkey soon, and it might be a year before I can come back. But I don't want you to forget how much this means to me ,how much you mean to me."Katriel's eyes filled with tears. She tried to speak but her voice broke. Instead, she reached out and wrapped her fingers around his, their hands closing over the little box together.For a long time, they sat like that silent, connected, feeling the ache of love and distance at once.
When they finally said goodbye that night, it was with soft words, long embraces, and a promise that the time apart would only make their bond stronger. And as Katriel walked back into the cool night, she could still feel the warmth of his hand in hers and the quiet certainty that love, once found,never truly leaves.