Remember My Dreams

17. The Day

I woke up extra early that morning. It was still dark outside, with the first light of dawn barely visible on the horizon. The silence in the apartment was almost palpable, and I made sure not to make any noise as I gathered my things. Tom was still asleep, and I didn't want to risk running into him. It was clear that he planned to keep me away from Elise, and I was determined not to let that happen.
I crept through the apartment, grabbed my jacket, and left without even making a cup of coffee. The fresh morning air was a welcome change from the stifling atmosphere inside. I got into my car and drove away, my thoughts entirely focused on Elise. On the way, I stopped at a gas station to grab a few liters of coffee and a box of pastries. With this supply, I decided I could last until the afternoon.
I parked my car strategically close to her apartment, just out of sight, but still with a perfect view of the entrance. If Elise and Bas arrived, I would definitely see them. And now, the waiting began.
I turned on the radio, but no station could hold my attention. After three minutes of switching from one channel to another, I sighed deeply and turned it off. The silence was oppressive, but better than the constant stream of uninteresting music and chatter. I looked around, studying the surroundings. It was a quiet neighborhood with well-maintained gardens and peaceful streets. Here and there, an early riser walked their dog, or a jogger started the day with a run.
The minutes dragged on. It was only eight in the morning, and I realized this was going to be a long day. Who knew, maybe Elise wouldn't be allowed to go home until evening, and I had no choice but to wait. But I kept my focus sharp. I was doing all this just to see Elise again. Even if I had to sit here day and night, it would be worth it.
My thoughts wandered to the past few weeks—the uncertainty, the worry, the fear of never seeing her again as she was. Every day without her had felt like an eternity. But now, today, there was a glimmer of hope. The thought that I might be able to hold her in my arms again gave me the strength to keep going. I could remember how she laughed, how her eyes lit up when she found something funny. Those moments had been my anchor, my lifeline in a world that seemed to be falling apart.
I glanced at the box of pastries on the passenger seat and smiled briefly. They were her favorite kind, and I hoped she would be happy to see them. Small gestures like this were my way of showing her how much I cared, even if I couldn't be with her physically. I knew the road to recovery would be long, but I was willing to take every step with her.
Time seemed to crawl. I kept checking my phone, hoping for an update, a sign, something to tell me when she would arrive. But there was nothing. The silence in the car mirrored the calm of the street outside, and I felt a wave of impatience rise within me. Why was it taking so long? Had something been delayed? My thoughts were all over the place, but I tried to calm myself. Panicking wouldn't help.
I kept my eyes fixed on the entrance to the apartment. Every movement, every sound caught my attention. My mind wandered to the first time I met Elise—the spark I felt, the undeniable sense that I had met someone special. Those memories were my driving force, my reason to hold on. I couldn't afford to lose her again.

I leaned back in the seat, closed my eyes for a moment, and let the silence wash over me. This was the moment of truth. The hours I spent here were nothing compared to the time I had spent without her. This was my chance to make things right, to show her how much I loved her. And nothing—not frustrated family members or concerned doctors—would stop me from doing that.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car pulling into the street. I opened my eyes and focused on the entrance to the apartment. It was a small red car that I recognized as Bas's. My heart started to race. This was the moment I had been waiting for.
I saw Bas get out, and a few seconds later, Elise stepped out too. She looked fragile, but also determined. My heart leaped with joy and relief. This was the first time in weeks that I had really seen her, and the feeling was overwhelming. But I knew I had to be patient. I couldn't just rush up to her. This had to be done carefully.
Bas walked around the car and opened the trunk to get her bag. Elise looked around, and for a moment, it seemed like our eyes met, but I knew she couldn't see me from where I was hiding. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched them walk to the entrance of the building. This was the moment I had been waiting for, and yet it felt like I was still miles away from her.

I watched as Bas and Elise entered the building, my eyes locked on the door. This was the moment I had been waiting for, and now I just needed to wait until Bas left. I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but I was determined to wait, even if it took hours.
I grabbed a pastry and took a bite, my eyes still focused on the door. Time seemed to move slowly, and I mentally prepared myself for a long wait. But to my surprise, after only five minutes, I saw the door open again. Bas stepped outside, his head bowed as if deep in thought. He walked slowly back to his car, got in, and drove away.
My heart started racing. This was my chance. Without a moment's hesitation, I grabbed Tom's guitar, which I had placed in the back of the car, and rushed to the front door of the building. This was the moment of truth. I rang the doorbell and waited, my heart pounding in my chest.
After a few seconds, the door opened, and there she was. Elise. Her eyes met mine, and for a brief moment, I felt the familiar spark run through my entire body. But those hopeful feelings were immediately crushed when I saw the expression on her face. There was no love, no joy, only confusion and fear.
"Elise," I said softly, my voice almost fragile. "Please, let me talk to you for a moment."