Memory's scar

" What a bore" the tired Mia said only after opening his eyes. For all his 21 years, he had never woken up with pleasure and a desire to live, his life was blacker than smog, meaningless and uninteresting.

- "Wake up, Mr. Miyano, the exhibition is coming soon, you'll be late", the maid knocked on the door - Yes, I'm coming, I'm coming.

After taking a shower, he dressed in his usual hoodie and jeans. He was wealthy, despite his early age, he had achieved great success in art. He was known as a genius abstract artist; everyone saw their own picture in his drawings. Today he is once again arranging an exhibition at the great historical museum, where he exhibited his only painting-a portrait. The picture was the silhouette of a girl without a face, painted in the most cozy and calm tones, conveying the bright personality of the girl. He painted this picture in the dead of night, when, as usual, he dreams of a girl with a very pleasant voice, but he does not know who it is. The girl constantly runs away into the void releasing his hand, repeating the words.

- "Live, survive Mia!"
- "Welcome dear friends, thank you for coming to this exhibition, I hope you'll fully enjoy today. "Have a nice time!"" Mia said to the visitors and was about to leave the event because of urgent matters.
-" Let's all go, Felix, we need to go somewhere" Felix is his driver.

On the way to the exit, he saw an attractive woman standing in front of that very picture. He involuntarily decided to approach, his heart began to beat louder and louder with every step. Seeing her face, he was speechless because he had never seen such beauty before. Looking at her, he noticed a small scar on her arm and then ... he appreciated it, sick old memories that he had forgotten suddenly began to appear in his head.
*
In 1993 in the frosty winter my parents abandoned me. I could not remember their names for a long time. I was taken to a shelter, then I was about 7 years old. He was a little boy himself, there were teachers who looked after the children. At first, I felt lonely and despite being well treated, I hated people, perhaps because of my father who was always beating me or my mother who abandoned me. But one day a girl came up to me.

- "Why are you sitting here alone, do you want candy?" - at that moment, her smile and eyes reflecting sunlight warm my soul. Someone approached me for the first time! She smiled so sincerely that I was ready to burst into tears. Even if we lived in the same conditions and both of us were abandoned, she retained her bright and sunny personality. "No, get off me, what do you want?!"- I said, but ... - You are so beautiful, why are you sad? - these words made me feel so ashamed and pathetic, but deep down I was touched and happy because of her. After that, she started coming up to me often and sometimes we managed to talk, I became so attached to her, her bright silhouette that I really liked ... I thought she would always be there.

But one day this came to an end... On an autumn night, the teacher woke me up, there was smoke and bitterness everywhere, there was a fire, and all the children were driven outside. I tried to look for her, but she was nowhere to be found. Because of the smoke, I did not see how the ceiling was collapsing, I could not do anything. After opening my eyes, I found that I was pushed away, it was her, her hand was covered in blood, and she was crushed. In desperation, I tried to pull her out, but everything was in vain. She repeated "-Live Mia, run away from here, get out" - I went to the exit full of tears, I was saved ... When I woke up, I did not remember anything, not her, not the shelter. I only remember that now I have new parents who sheltered me. Since then, I have lived a very ordinary life, I had good parents who allowed me everything,
*
After everything that flew before his eyes, he could not recover for several seconds -" Are you alright? Are you ill?" - the girl asked.

- Yes, yes. it's all right. Can I ask where you got this scar on your arm?

- Oh, this one?!, I don't even remember how it happened. Why do you ask?

- It's nothing, sorry for the trouble. By the way, may I know your name...?

- Tia! Aristia, nice to meet you, Mr. Miyano.
- Do you know me?!
-Of course, you are so famous, I have been inspired by your wonderful paintings for several years.
- Um, okay, then I will go now, with your permission. Good day!
After getting into the car, he pondered over what had happened for a long time. "It's her, it's exactly her," repeating to himself, he sat as if bewitched, his heart squeezed and the words did not come out, he could not say anything to her. Why do you go from "he" to "I"?And so I wanted ... I wanted to hug and cry with all my might, to ask how she lived all this time, why she forgot me and whether she remembers at all. There was so much to do, but I was afraid, afraid to be disappointed that the brightest girl in my memories was no longer there, that she would not recognize me, and, as if nothing had happened, she would continue to live her life. In severe agony, he headed into the unknown.

Mia could not get the encounter with Aristia out of his head. He spent the whole night thinking about her and the scar on her arm. He tried to paint, but he could not concentrate, the colors did not match, the lines were crooked. He decided to go for a walk to clear his mind.

As he walked, he saw her again. She was walking in front of him, and he followed her silently, his heart pounding. She turned around, and their eyes met. He froze, not knowing what to do. She smiled at him, and he realized that he had been holding his breath. He smiled back and walked up to her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to follow you. I was just walking," Mia said, feeling embarrassed.

"It's all right. I was just on my way to get some coffee. Do you want to join me?"

"Sure, I would love to," he said, feeling grateful.

As they walked to the coffee shop, Mia tried to think of something to say. He was usually not particularly good at small talk, but he didn't want to seem rude or uninterested. He remembered that she had said she was a fan of his paintings, so he decided to ask her about it.

"So, you said you have been inspired by my paintings for several years. Which one is your favorite?"

"It's the one you exhibited yesterday, the one with the girl without a face. It's beautiful and haunting at the same time. I can't stop thinking about it," Aristia said, her eyes shining.

"That's interesting. I painted that portrait based on my dream. I don't remember the face of the girl, but I remember her voice. She told me to live and survive," Mia said, feeling vulnerable.

"That's so poetic. You are a true artist," Aristia said, admiringly.

They arrived at the coffee shop, and Mia opened the door for her. They sat down at a table near the window and ordered their drinks. Mia couldn't stop staring at her, mesmerized by her beauty and grace.

"So, what do you do?" Aristia asked, breaking the silence.

"I'm an artist, as you know. I paint mostly abstract paintings, but I also do portraits sometimes," Mia said, feeling proud.

"That's amazing. I wish I had a talent like that. I work at a publishing company. I edit books and articles," Aristia said, smiling.

"That's impressive. You must read a lot then. What kind of books do you like?" Mia asked, feeling more comfortable.

"I like historical romances mostly. I'm a hopeless romantic," Aristia said, laughing.

"That's interesting. I've never read one of those. Maybe you could recommend one to me?" Mia said, smiling.

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about books, art, and life in general. Mia felt a connection with her that he had never felt before. He felt like he could talk to her about anything, and she would understand him. He realized that he didn't want this day to end.

"I had a great time today. Thank you for inviting me for coffee," Mia said, feeling sad that it was over.

"Me too. We should do this again sometime," Aristia said, smiling.

"Yes, we definitely should. Can I walk you home?" Mia asked, feeling protective.

"Sure, I would like that," Aristia said, feeling safe.

As they walked to her
apartment, Mia felt a mix of emotions. He was happy to be with her, but also nervous about what might happen next. He didn't want to scare her away by being too forward, but he also didn't want to let this opportunity slip away.

When they arrived at her apartment building, Aristia turned to him and said, "Thank you again for today. I had a wonderful time."

Mia smiled and said, "Me too. Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?"

Aristia looked surprised but pleased. "I would love to. How about tomorrow night?"

Mia felt relieved and excited. "Tomorrow night it is. I'll pick you up at 7 pm. Is that okay?"

"Sounds perfect. I'll see you then," Aristia said, feeling giddy.

They said their goodbyes and Mia walked back to his own apartment, feeling elated. He couldn't believe that he had just asked her out on a date. He knew that he had to make it perfect. He spent the rest of the night planning the evening, trying to come up with something that would impress her.

The next day, he woke up early and went to the market to buy fresh ingredients for dinner. He spent the whole day cooking and cleaning, making sure that everything was perfect. He dressed in his best suit and waited nervously for her to arrive.

When she finally showed up at his doorstep, he couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. She was wearing a simple black dress, with her hair up in a bun. She smiled at him, and he felt his heart skip a beat.

"You look amazing," he said, feeling awestruck.

"You don't look too bad yourself," she said, giggling.

He led her to the living room, where he had set up a candlelit table. He served her a glass of wine and they sat down to eat. The food was delicious, and they talked and laughed throughout the meal. After they finished eating, Mia brought out his guitar and started playing a song he had written for her.

Aristia looked at him with tears in her eyes and said, "That was beautiful. You are so talented."

Mia felt his heart swell with pride and happiness. He put down his guitar and took her hand. "Aristia, I know we just met, but I feel like I've known you forever. I can't stop thinking about you, and I want to be with you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Aristia looked at him, her eyes filled with emotion. "Yes, I will. I feel the same way."

They hugged each other tightly, and Mia felt like he was finally home. He knew that he had found something special in Aristia, and he would do anything to make her happy.

The rest of the night was a blur of laughter, love, and happiness. They danced together, drank wine, and talked about their hopes and dreams for the future. Mia felt like he was in a dream, and he never wanted it to end.

As the night came to a close, he walked Aristia to her door and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for an amazing night," he said.

"Thank you for everything," she replied, giving him a warm smile.

They said goodnight and Mia walked back to his own apartment, feeling like he was walking on air. He knew that he had found something special in Aristia, and he was excited to see where their relationship would take them.

As he went to bed that night, he felt grateful for the chance encounter that had led him to meet her. He knew that he had been lucky to find someone as amazing as her, and he was determined to make every moment with her count.

Over the next few weeks, Mia and Aristia spent all their free time together. They went on dates, took long walks in the park, and explored the city. Mia loved being with her, and he knew that he had never felt this way before.

As their relationship deepened, he started to share more and more of himself with her. He told her about his dreams of becoming a musician, and she listened attentively, offering words of encouragement and support.

Aristia was everything he had ever wanted in a partner - kind, loving, and supportive. He felt like he could be himself around her, and he knew that she accepted him for who he was.

As they sat in the park one day, watching the sunset, Mia took Aristia's hand and said, "I love you."

Aristia looked at him, her eyes shining with happiness. "I love you too," she said.

From that moment on, they were inseparable. They talked about their future together, dreaming of a life filled with love, music, and adventure. Mia knew that he had found his soulmate in Aristia, and he was grateful for every moment they shared.

As they walked hand in hand through the city, Mia felt like he was the luckiest man in the world. He knew that he had found true love, and he would cherish it for the rest of his life.

As their relationship grew stronger, Mia and Aristia began to explore new hobbies and interests together. They started going to concerts and music festivals, and Mia was thrilled to share his passion for music with someone who appreciated it as much as he did.

One day, Mia took Aristia to a recording studio where he was working on his music. He played some of his songs for her, and she was blown away by his talent.

"I had no idea you were this good," she said, smiling at him. "You should be sharing your music with the world."

Mia had always dreamed of becoming a musician, but he had been too afraid to pursue it seriously. But with Aristia's encouragement, he began to believe in himself and his talent.

Together, they started working on a music project, spending countless hours writing, composing, and recording. It was challenging work, but they were both passionate about it, and Mia knew that he had found a true partner in Aristia.

As they worked on their music, their love for each other grew even stronger. They supported each other through the tough times, celebrated each other's successes, and never stopped dreaming of a future together.

One day, as they were walking through the park, Mia stopped Aristia and got down on one knee. He pulled out a small box and opened it, revealing a beautiful diamond ring.

"Aristia, I love you more than anything in this world," he said, his voice shaking with emotion. "Will you marry me?"

Tears filled Aristia's eyes as she looked at the man she loved more than anything. "Yes, Mia," she said, throwing her arms around him. "I will marry you."

From that moment on, their lives changed forever. They planned their wedding together, pouring their hearts and souls into every detail. Mia wrote a song for Aristia and played it at their wedding, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Their love for each other continued to grow stronger with each passing day, and they knew that they were meant to be together forever. They traveled the world, made beautiful music together, and never stopped dreaming of a future filled with love and adventure.

Years later, as they sat on a beach together, watching the sun set over the ocean, Mia looked at Aristia and knew that he was the luckiest man in the world. He had found true love, and he would cherish it for the rest of his life.

As they watched the sun slowly dip below the horizon, Mia couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. He had never imagined that he could be this happy, this content with his life.

Aristia leaned her head on his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. They sat there in silence for a while, simply enjoying each other's company and the peaceful sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

Finally, Aristia spoke up. "Do you remember when we first met?" she asked.

Mia chuckled. "Of course I do. I thought you were a mermaid."

Aristia laughed, her eyes shining. "You were so nervous. It was adorable."

Mia smiled, remembering how he had stumbled over his words and nearly dropped his guitar when he saw her. But Aristia had put him at ease, and from that moment on, he knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

"I never thought I could be this happy," he said, turning to look at her. "You've changed my life, Aristia. You've made me believe in myself and my dreams."

Aristia smiled, her hand reaching up to brush a strand of hair off of his face. "You've always had the talent, Mia. I just helped you see it."

Mia leaned in to kiss her, his heart overflowing with love. They sat there for a while longer, enjoying the peaceful moment together, before deciding to head back to their hotel.

As they walked along the beach, hand in hand, Mia felt a sense of contentment wash over him. He knew that there would be ups and downs in their relationship, but he was confident that they would face them together, with love and understanding.

Over the next few years, Mia and Aristia continued to pursue their passion for music. They wrote and recorded several albums together, and their music was well-received by fans and critics alike. They toured the world, playing sold-out shows and sharing their love for music with others.

But they never forgot their roots. They remained grounded and humble, always remembering the love and support that had helped them get to where they were.

As their fame grew, they also became more involved in charity work, using their platform to help those in need. They started their own foundation, which focused on supporting underprivileged children and providing them with access to music education.

Mia and Aristia's love for each other never wavered. They supported each other through the highs and lows of their careers, and never stopped dreaming of a future together. They talked about starting a family, and Mia knew that he would make a great father someday.

As they approached their tenth wedding anniversary, Mia decided to surprise Aristia with a trip to Paris, a city they had always dreamed of visiting. They spent their days exploring the city, trying new foods, and immersing themselves in the culture.

On their last night in Paris, Mia took Aristia to a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Eiffel Tower. As they sipped champagne and enjoyed the view, Mia took Aristia's hand and looked into her eyes.

"Aristia, I want you to know that I love you more than anything in this world," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "You are my best friend, my partner, my soulmate. I can't imagine my life without you."

Aristia's eyes filled with tears as she looked back at him, her heart overflowing with love. "I love you too, Mia," she said, squeezing his hand.

Mia got down on one knee and pulled out a small box. "Aristia, will you renew your vows with me? Will you promise to love and cherish me for the rest of our lives?"

Tears streamed down Aristia's face as she nodded, her heart bursting with joy. "Yes, Mia. I will always love and cherish you, now and forever."

Mia slid a beautiful diamond ring onto Aristia's finger, sealing their renewed commitment to each other. They held each other close, watching as the Eiffel Tower sparkled in the distance.

As they walked back to their hotel, hand in hand, Mia knew that he was the luckiest man in the world. He had found true love with Aristia, and they would continue to build a life full of love, music, and adventure together.

As the years went by, Mia and Aristia continued to grow in their love for each other. They faced challenges together, but their commitment and dedication to their relationship never wavered.

They continued to create music together, but they also explored other passions and interests. Aristia started painting, and her art was featured in several galleries. Mia discovered a love for cooking, and he spent hours in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes.

As they approached their twentieth wedding anniversary, Mia wanted to do something special for Aristia. He knew that she had always dreamed of visiting Santorini, Greece, and so he planned a surprise trip for the two of them.

They spent their days exploring the island, taking in the stunning views of the Aegean Sea and the white-washed buildings of the town. They enjoyed local cuisine and wine, and spent long afternoons lounging on the beach.

One evening, Mia took Aristia to a secluded spot overlooking the ocean. As the sun began to set, he took her hand and looked into her eyes.

"Aristia, I've loved you since the moment I met you," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "You've brought so much joy and love into my life, and I can't imagine a single day without you."

Aristia's heart swelled with love as she looked back at him. "I feel the same way, Mia," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mia pulled out a small box and opened it to reveal a beautiful necklace. "This necklace represents the love and commitment we have for each other," he said, placing it around her neck. "It's a symbol of the bond we share, and the adventures we've had together."

Aristia touched the necklace, tears in her eyes. "It's beautiful," she said, her voice shaking with emotion.

Mia took her in his arms, holding her close as they watched the sun disappear below the horizon. They stood there for a while, lost in the moment and the beauty of the world around them.

As they walked back to their hotel, Mia knew that he was the luckiest man in the world. He had found true love with Aristia, and their love continued to grow stronger with each passing day.

Together, they had faced challenges and celebrated triumphs. They had created a life full of love, music, art, and adventure. And they knew that no matter where life took them, they would face it together, with love and understanding.

As they entered their hotel room, Mia took Aristia's hand and pulled her close. They shared a long, passionate kiss, their hearts overflowing with love and gratitude.

"I love you, Aristia," Mia whispered, holding her close.

"I love you too, Mia," Aristia said, her voice filled with love and devotion.

And in that moment, they knew that their love would continue to grow, and that they would continue to cherish and celebrate the beautiful life they had built together.

In the years that followed, Mia and Aristia continued to enjoy their lives together. They traveled to unfamiliar places, tried new foods, and met new people. They remained committed to their music and art, but also explored other hobbies and interests that brought them joy.

They faced challenges along the way, but they always turned to each other for support and love. They knew that no matter what life threw their way, they would face it together with strength and resilience.

As they approached their 50th wedding anniversary, Mia and Aristia reflected on their life together. They looked back on all the adventures they had shared, the moments of joy and love, and the obstacles they had overcome. They felt grateful for each other and for the life they had built together.

To celebrate their anniversary, they decided to renew their vows on the same beach in Santorini where Mia had proposed to Aristia all those years ago. They invited their closest friends and family to join them in a ceremony filled with love and meaning.

As they stood before each other, exchanging vows once again, Mia and Aristia felt overwhelmed with emotion. They remembered all the moments that had brought them to this point, all the love and joy they had shared over the years. And they knew that their love would continue to grow and thrive, even as they faced new challenges and adventures in the years to come.

After the ceremony, they celebrated with a big dinner and dance party, surrounded by the people they loved most in the world. They laughed, danced, and shared stories, feeling grateful for the love and support that surrounded them.

As the night drew to a close, Mia and Aristia snuck away to the beach, where they sat together, holding hands and looking out at the sea. They felt the same sense of peace and joy that they had felt all those years ago when they first visited Santorini.

"I'm so grateful for you, Aristia," Mia said, breaking the silence. "You've brought so much love and happiness into my life, and I can't imagine a single day without you."

Aristia smiled at him, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "I feel the same way, Mia," she said, her voice soft and full of love. "You're the love of my life, and I'm so grateful for every moment we've shared together."

They sat there for a while, lost in the beauty of the moment and the love they shared. And as they looked out at the sea, they knew that their love would continue to grow, even as they faced new challenges and adventures in the years to come.

The years continued to pass, and Mia and Aristia grew older together. They faced new challenges and health issues, but they continued to support each other with the same love and dedication they had shown from the beginning.

They spent their days enjoying the simple pleasures of life, reading books, listening to music, and enjoying the company of their family and friends. They knew that their time together was precious, and they cherished every moment they had.

As they approached their 70th wedding anniversary, their family organized a big celebration in their honor. Mia and Aristia were surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom shared stories of love and admiration for the couple.

As the party drew to a close, Mia and Aristia sat together, holding hands and watching their loved one's dance and laugh. They looked at each other, their eyes full of love and gratitude for all the years they had shared together.

"You know, Mia," Aristia said, breaking the silence. "When I look back on our life together, I realize that we've had something truly special. Something that not everyone gets to experience in their lifetime."

Mia smiled at her, squeezing her hand. "I know," he said. "And I'm so grateful for every moment we've had together. You've made my life richer and more meaningful than I ever could have imagined."

They sat there for a while, lost in their own thoughts and memories. And as they looked out at the sea, they knew that their love would continue to live on, even after they were gone.

In the end, Mia and Aristia passed away peacefully in their sleep, surrounded by their family, and loved ones. They had lived a long, happy, and fulfilling life together, and their love would continue to inspire and guide their family for generations to come.

And as their family said their final goodbyes, they knew that Mia and Aristia's love was the kind of love that would never die. A love that would continue to live on, in the hearts and memories of everyone who had been touched by it.