The Pasts

Chapter 2

You wake up feeling a flutter in your stomach, the kind of nervous excitement that comes with the anticipation of something new, something potentially wonderful. Today is the day of your date with Natasha, and despite trying to keep your expectations in check, you can't help but feel hopeful about the possibilities.

After a morning spent distractedly going about your routine, you finally decide on your outfit for the evening a balance of casual and chic, perfect for a coffee date that might turn into a stroll or a longer conversation. You choose a soft, comfortable sweater and a pair of skiny jeans, paired with your favorite knee high boots that speak of style but also the practicality of someone used to being on the move.

As the afternoon shifts into evening, you leave for the cafe where you and Natasha agreed to meet. It's a quaint place, known for its cozy ambiance and excellent coffee. You arrive a bit early, nerves tingling with every minute that ticks by as you wait. You order a coffee and choose a spot where you can watch the door, rehearsing in your mind some of the things you want to talk about, smiling to yourself at some of the witty remarks you're planning.

The cafs clock seems to tick louder as time passes. You check your phone repeatedly; no messages. The initial flutter of excitement slowly starts to turn to a gnawing worry. Was there a misunderstanding? Did something come up? As the minutes turn into a half hour, and then an hour, the worry shifts into a sinking feeling of disappointment.

You try calling Natasha, but it goes straight to voicemail. The absence of any message explaining the situation leaves you feeling confused and, if you're honest with yourself, hurt. You finish your coffee, the taste now bittersweet, as you come to terms with the fact that she isn't coming.

With a heavy heart, you leave the cafe, the chilly evening air matching the sudden coldness settling over your mood. Once home, you can't shake off the sense of rejection, and despite trying to give Natasha the benefit of the doubt, the silence feels louder than any apology.

Unable to keep it to yourself any longer, you call Maria. She answers almost immediately, her voice filled with concern when she hears the disappointment in yours.

"I got stood up," you confess, trying to keep your voice steady, but the tremble betrays your emotional turmoil.

"Oh, Y/n, I'm so sorry," Maria responds, her voice a mix of anger and sympathy. "Do you know what happened? Did she say anything?"

"No, nothing. It's just... I thought we had a connection, you know? I guess I was wrong," you say, feeling foolish for having hoped too much.

"Hey, don't go there. This doesn't reflect on you. Something must've come up. You know how the life is," Maria tries to comfort you, always the voice of reason.

You nod to yourself, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, you're right. It's just... it's hard not to take it personally."

"Give it some time. I'm sure she'll reach out. You know Natasha wouldn't do this without a good reason," Maria reassures you, her confidence soothing some of your doubts.

With a sigh, you agree to not jump to conclusions. "Thanks, Maria. I needed that."

"Anytime. And hey, let me know if you need anything, okay?" Maria offers, always there when you need her.

As you end the call, you're left in your quiet apartment, the night stretching out before you with no plans and a heart full of mixed emotions. You decide to give Natasha the benefit of the doubt for now, but as you head to bed, the disappointment is a heavy blanket that you can't quite shake off.

***

A few days have passed since the missed date, and you've heard nothing from her. The silence is disheartening, and you've done your best to distract yourself with work and catching up with friends, but the uncertainty lingers like a shadow.