It was a vibrant art fair with the smell of the ocean, the sound of laughter and a mix of bright colors that caught the eye.
The sky was bright, and the clouds moved slowly. It seemed the clouds had not yet made up their minds what action to take.
Maya hurried through the art stands with her clipboard in hand, telling the volunteers what to do. She moved carefully and on purpose, like being precise was the only way to keep things together.
She couldn't help but glance over at Adrian who was lifting heavy boxes and arranging tables; his sleeves were rolled up, his hair still untidy from the rain. She couldn't stop noticing him.
Later in the day, the crowd reduced. The fairgrounds were quiet and still and Maya could finally breathe. Adrian walked up to her, empty-handed with sweat on his face.
"Your work looks fantastic," he said softly, glancing at the paintings that were neatly hung on the walls and the items that were attractively displayed.
There was no response from her.
He spoke in a calmer tone, saying "You really shine at this", His voice went lower as he moved closer, a small nervousness showing. "I… I should have seen it years ago. I should have been here for it all."
Her chest ached with unspoken feelings.
That familiar ache came back, the very thing that had pushed her away in the first place. She took a step back, then another, trying to regain control.
"What exactly are you getting at? The assumption is that one visit, one intervention, can solve everything right?"
He spoke softly "No, it's not that simple." I don't expect you to forgive me. I just…." It seemed as though he was finding it difficult to continue, so he stopped for a moment and swallowed. "I would like to spend more time with you. I want to be part of your life.
Even if you are not ready for that yet, you don't have to decide now."
She looked at him, really looked, and saw something she had not allowed herself to see in a long time: a man who had changed. Not perfect. Not without flaws. Just real and that scared her.
She admitted, quietly, that she wasn't sure if she was able to do that.
He took a step forward, "I'm not asking for a decision at this moment. I just want you to know that I am here and I'm not going anywhere"
A gust of wind was blowing strongly, causing strands of her hair to be blown across her face. With her eyes closed, she allowed herself to be drawn into it after resisting for so long. It was like she was on the edge of a cliff, and she couldn't stop herself once she got there.
'Adrian,' she breathed softly.
Carefully, he reached out and took her hand, giving her time to move it away if she wanted to. Her movements ceased and she found herself in a state of indecision, her actions governed by both her natural instincts and a sense of fear.
He went on to say, "I'm not making this all about myself. I just want to be with you. If you will let me."
Her heart was pounding with such intensity it felt as though it might break her ribs. His world had narrowed down to just her, to her quickening pulse and to the turmoil of his own desires which she was unable to conceal.
At that moment everything else faded away, the anger, the betrayal, the separation, all reduced to a fact: she still loved him.
The sky grew dark as a storm rolled in. Thunder rumbled far away, low and warning.
When she opened her eyes, her gaze fell on him, and she knew once the rain came that there would be no going back.
Right between them, the first large drop of rain splashed down.