A portrait of the unseen [COMPLETE]

fresh start

I remember the moment clearly, sitting across from my father in our living room, the soft glow of the evening sun casting long shadows across the floor. He had asked me how I was, a simple question but one that carried a weight of concern and care.

As I began to speak, I could feel the words tumbling out, eager to share my newfound passion with him. I told him about my journey into photography, how I had rediscovered my love for capturing moments and exploring the world through my lens.

At first, he listened quietly, his expression thoughtful as he absorbed my words. But as I continued, describing the places I had visited and the images I had captured, I could see a spark of pride and excitement flicker in his eyes.

"You've always had a talent for seeing things differently," he said, his voice filled with warmth and encouragement. "I'm glad you've found something that brings you joy."

His words meant more to me than he could ever know. For so long, I had felt lost and uncertain, adrift in a sea of doubt and confusion. But now, with my father's support and encouragement, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination.

As we sat there, talking late into the night, I realized just how lucky I was to have him by my side. No matter what challenges lay ahead, I knew that with my father's support, I could overcome anything. And for that, I would always be grateful.

_____

As the notification flashed on my phone screen, my initial reaction was one of hesitation. High school reunions held a mix of memories, some fond and others best left in the past. But something compelled me to consider attending.

After a moment of contemplation, I made up my mind. Perhaps it was the longing to reconnect with old friends or simply the desire to confront my past. Whatever the reason, I decided to accept the invitation and show up.

The night of the reunion arrived, and as I entered the venue, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. The echoes of laughter and the shared history all served as reminders of a time long gone.

I mingled with former classmates, catching up on each other's lives and reminiscing about the old days. It was both comforting and bittersweet, a reminder of how much had changed since we had last seen each other.

But amidst the laughter and chatter, there was a lingering sense of unease. The ghosts of the past still haunted me, reminders of the pain and heartache I had experienced in those formative years.

I also met Yugen as she is also part of the reunion

As the night wore on, I found myself grateful for Yugen's presence. She had always been there for me, through the ups and downs, and tonight was no different. In her company, I felt a sense of reassurance and belonging that I had missed in recent months.

As I stepped into the dimly lit house, a sense of calm washed over me. I wasn't expecting anything out of the ordinary, just the familiar comfort of my own space. But as I flicked on the lights, the sound of a voice from the sala shattered the silence, sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"Ryu..."

The name hung in the air like a heavy weight, sending shivers down my spine. I froze in place, my heart pounding in my chest, as I turned towards the source of the voice. And there, standing in the shadows, was a figure I knew all too well.

"Lexa..."

The name escaped my lips in a whisper, barely audible above the pounding of my heart. It wasn't her appearance that gave her away; it was the familiarity of her voice, the way she said my name as if it were a secret between us.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still as we locked eyes, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy between us. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to entertain the possibility of reconciliation, of finding a way back to each other despite the obstacles that stood in our way.

But as quickly as the thought entered my mind, reality came crashing back down around me. Could this love work without recognition? Could we find happiness in the shadows, forever hidden from the world?

As Lexa stepped forward, her expression unreadable in the dim light, I felt a wave of uncertainty wash over me. The ache in my chest grew with each passing second, a silent reminder of all that we had lost and all that we could never have.

How I wished I could see her face, to read the love and longing in her eyes. How I wished I could feel the warmth of her touch, to know that everything would be okay. How I wished I were normal, able to recognize the one person who held my heart in their hands.

As I stood there, engulfed in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, Lexa's words hung in the air like a heavy fog. "Do you really forget about me?" Her voice was soft, laced with a hint of sadness that tugged at my heartstrings.

For a moment, I was at a loss for words, my mind racing to make sense of her unexpected presence in my apartment. How could I forget about her when she was the one who occupied my thoughts day and night, the one who filled the empty spaces in my heart with warmth and longing?

"I waited for you," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. The weight of her words settled over me like a heavy blanket, suffocating me with their intensity.

With a trembling breath, I reached out to her, my hand trembling as it brushed against hers. "I'm sorry," I whispered, the words barely audible in the silence of the room. "I thought... I thought you had moved on."

Lexa's eyes softened, a flicker of understanding passing between us. "I could never move on from you, Ryu," she said, her voice filled with raw emotion. "You're the one I've been waiting for, the one I've been dreaming of."

Tears welled up in my eyes as the weight of her confession washed over me. How could I have been so blind, so foolish to think that I could ever let her go? In that moment, all my doubts and fears melted away, leaving only the overwhelming certainty of my love for her.

Without another word, I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly against me as if afraid she would disappear. And as we stood there, wrapped in each other's embrace, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, united in our love and our unwavering commitment to each other.

In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of her presence, I knew that everything would be alright. For in the end, love always finds a way, even in the darkest of times. And as long as we had each other, we could weather any storm that came our way.

Sitting across from Lexa, the weight of our conversation hung heavy in the air, each word carrying the weight of our shared history and the hope of a new beginning.

"I'm sorry," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "For everything. For pushing you away, for not trusting you, for not letting you in."

Lexa's gaze softened, her eyes filled with understanding. "Ryu, you don't have to apologize," she said, her voice gentle. "I know you were hurting, and I should have been there for you. I just didn't want to make things worse."

I took a deep breath, the weight of her forgiveness washing over me like a wave. "I know, and I'm sorry for not seeing that. I was so caught up in my own fears and insecurities that I didn't realize how much I was hurting you."

Lexa reached out, her hand finding mine and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay, Ryu. We both made mistakes, but that doesn't mean we can't move forward."

I nodded, a sense of relief flooding through me. "I just want to start fresh," I said, meeting her gaze with determination. "To put the past behind us and focus on building something new together."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Lexa's lips, her eyes shining with hope. "I want that too," she said softly. "To learn more about each other, to support each other, to love each other without reservation."

And in that moment, surrounded by the warmth of Lexa's presence and the promise of a brighter future.