Ray swallows, feeling a knot in his throat. The soft music in the car seems to become a thread connecting his memories and the emotions of the present.
—No… not really. I had something, but it was… fleeting, just teenage feelings. What about you, Hana?
—She smiles shyly—. Well, not really… although there were some interesting people, of course. But no one convinced me enough to want to be in a relationship… though I feel that might change soon.
Ray feels his heart beat faster. He keeps his eyes on the road, trying to stay calm while his fingers tighten around the steering wheel without realizing it.
—I guess some things never change —he murmurs—. Even as we grow, some feelings remain unchanged.
Hana nods, letting out a quiet sigh.
—Yes… and some opportunities come back too, Ray. You just have to recognize them.
The car moves forward. The city lights, reflected on the rain-soaked streets, seem to accompany the moment. Every word and every silence between them feels deeper, almost eternal.
—Catching up? —Ray thinks for a moment—. Yes, that sounds good… how have you been?
—Well, I'd say I've been okay —she lifts her glass and spins the ice—, though…
Ray watches her, intrigued.
—Although the last little while has been difficult —she glances at her notebook—. I'm not sure if I ever told you, or if you suspected, but my dream is to become a film director.
—Or maybe… write a book, though Sarah beat me to it —she sighs—. Who would have thought she'd write romance, right?
—Over the past five years, I've been training myself, but I can't find the story with enough potential. So I decided to go abroad —her face grows more serious—.
—To learn from the great writers and draw inspiration from them —she fidgets, feeling she's talking too much about herself—. But that doesn't matter now. What about you, Ray? How was your life all this time?
—Ray shifts slightly on the barstool—. Where do I start? After graduation, I studied screenwriting and creative writing while still working at Rossi's store.
—My initial plan was just to get by, to study something that would make my mother proud… but it got out of hand —he looks at his glass, remembering—. I ended up working as an editor at Aurora Publishing.
—Hana looks surprised—.
—A-Aurora Publishing? That's… impressive.
—So you work with Sarah?
—Ray recalls all the problems she causes—. Technically, yes, I'm her editor, but even though she's famous nationwide… she only causes trouble —he sighs—.
He vents a little, talking about how stressful his job can be.
She listens patiently, not annoyed, rediscovering the young man she once knew. The trace of that boy still lingers, slightly altered by time.
When he finishes, Ray apologizes for going on so long.
—It's been a long time since I talked to someone… thanks for listening.
—Hana nods—. You've changed a lot, Ray.
—Really? Do you mean I look older?
—She laughs—. No, not that. You're not so shy anymore… it's nice to talk to you.
Ray's heart skips a beat; what he thought was buried in the past threatens to resurface.
He stays silent for a moment, remembering the young Ray she once knew, but before he can speak, she interrupts.
—Are you doing anything this Friday? Would you like to do something together?
Nervousness betrays Ray.
—I-I mean… no! I mean… yes!
—Hana laughs—. Looks like you haven't changed that much after all —she grabs her notebook and writes down her phone number—. Here, text me Friday… we'll go wherever you want.
—She stands, taking her coat—. I have to go, I have work tomorrow, but it was so nice to see you again, Ray.
—See you —she left a radiant smile etched in his mind—.
Wait! —Ray stops her—. Did you come in a car?
Hana looks at him.
—I took the bus… my car's in the shop, that's why I'm leaving so early.
—Do you want me to give you a ride? —he asks, clearly nervous.
She smiles.
—Of course, I'd love that.
Ray takes his coat and escorts her outside.
The cold bites through their clothes, chilling them to the bone. He takes her hand and guides her quickly to the car, just a few meters away.
—This is mine —he opens the passenger door, waiting for her to settle in—.
He climbs into the driver's seat, turns on the stereo; soft, calm music fills the cabin, and he immediately turns on the heater.
Before starting the engine, he asks her to enter the destination in the GPS.
Feeling at ease, she traces a slightly slower route, giving them a few extra minutes to reconnect.
—Ray begins driving; the car leaves the cold bar behind and merges into the city streets—.
—I never imagined we'd run into each other again, Ray… even though we lived in nearby neighborhoods, we never crossed paths all this time.
—It's crazy and surreal that our friends' irresponsibility brought us together.
—Ray laughs—. True, though this time I'm thankful Cris is a bit scatterbrained; he can't say no to Sarah.
—Do you really think he's only her manager? They spend so much time together —Hana laughs—.
—D-did you remember that day on the trip, the one with the campfire? She asked if he liked Tai! Haha! It was hilarious; they both turned red like tomatoes.
Ray pauses, not because he doesn't remember, but for another reason.
—Of course I remember. That trip is the most beautiful memory I have.
His mind drifts back: the rain falling around them, the warmth of the campfire, laughter during the soccer game.
Ray glances at her while she gazes at the city through the window.
—Sometimes I wish I could go back, even just for a day…
She interrupts—. Tell me, Ray… have you had a girlfriend? Have you fallen in love these years?
Ray swallows hard, feeling a lump in his throat. The soft music in the car becomes a thread connecting past memories with present emotions.
—No… not really. I had something, but it was fleeting… just teenage feelings. What about you, Hana?
—She smiles shyly—. Well, not really… although there were interesting people, of course. But no one convinced me enough to want a relationship… though I feel that might change soon.
—Ray feels his heart race. He keeps his eyes on the road, trying to stay calm while his fingers tighten on the steering wheel.
—I guess some things never change —he murmurs—. Even as we grow, some feelings remain unchanged.
Hana nods, releasing a quiet sigh.
—Yes… and some opportunities come back too, Ray. You just have to recognize them.
The car continues forward. The city lights, reflected on the wet streets, seem to accompany the moment. Every word, every pause between them feels deeper, almost eternal.