A Bet That Changed Us ︱Pablo Gavi

76: Moments of solace

The next morning, I woke up feeling the weight of yesterday's chaos still pressing down on me. The panic attack had shaken me more than I wanted to admit, and I knew I needed some time alone to clear my head. After a quick breakfast, I decided to take a walk to one of my favorite cafés, a cozy little place tucked away from the bustling streets. It was a spot I often visited when I needed to think or just escape from everything.

As I sipped on my coffee, I pulled out my journal and began to write. Putting my thoughts on paper always helped me make sense of things, and today was no different. The swirl of emotions from the past few days—Pablo, the panic attack, everything—slowly began to untangle as I wrote. I realized how much I had been holding in, trying to stay strong and keep it all together. But the truth was, I needed to let go and allow myself to feel everything, even the hard stuff.

After about an hour of writing, I felt a bit lighter, like a small piece of the weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I closed my journal and leaned back in my chair, letting the soft murmur of the café and the aroma of fresh coffee calm my mind.

Just as I was about to leave, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Valentina.

Valentina: Hey Isa, how are you feeling today? Want to grab lunch later? I'm free around 1 pm if you're up for it.

I smiled, grateful for her reaching out. Valentina always seemed to know when I needed someone, even when I didn't say anything.

Me: Hey, I'm okay. Lunch sounds perfect. See you at 1?

Valentina: Great! How about that little bistro near the art gallery? It's quiet, and we can take a walk afterward if you're up for it.

Me: Sounds perfect. See you then!

I paid for my coffee and headed back home, feeling a bit more grounded. I took my time getting ready, putting on a simple outfit—a soft navy top, baggy blue cargo jeans, and my favorite navy Nike Dunks. I kept my makeup light and pulled my hair up into a bun, wanting to keep things easy and comfortable.

Meeting Valentina at the bistro felt like exactly what I needed. We ordered salads and iced tea, and as we sat by the window, the conversation flowed naturally. She asked me about the panic attack, her eyes full of concern, and I found myself opening up about everything—the stress, the pressure, how overwhelming it all felt sometimes.

"I get it, Isa," she said softly, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. "You've been through so much lately. It's okay to not be okay all the time."

"Thanks, Val," I replied, feeling a warmth spread through me at her understanding. "It just feels like everything is piling up, you know? I don't want to burden anyone, but it's been a lot."

"You're not a burden," she said firmly. "And you don't have to go through this alone. We're all here for you—me, Matteo, even Pablo."

At the mention of Pablo, I felt a pang of emotion. I hadn't spoken to him since last night, and part of me wanted to reach out, but I wasn't sure how to start that conversation.

Valentina must have sensed my hesitation because she smiled gently. "You know, it's okay to lean on him too. He cares about you a lot, Isa. Maybe you guys should talk, just the two of you."

I nodded, knowing she was right. "Maybe I will. Later."

After lunch, we walked around the nearby art gallery, taking in the quiet, calming atmosphere. It was a welcome distraction, and by the time we parted ways, I felt more at ease, ready to face whatever came next.