"In the quiet moments, when the world falls away, we are forced to face the truths we’ve been running from."
The days since their brief encounter had stretched out like a quiet river, moving slowly with each passing minute. Lavender had buried herself in work, distracted by the need to keep moving, to not think too much. After all, what was there to think about? It was just another fleeting meeting. Another brief spark that would flicker and die.
But it wasn't like that...
But as much as she tried to deny it, the memory of Alex lingered in her thoughts, each memory more vivid than the last. His presence was something she couldn’t shake. His thoughts were something that she couldn't ignore. And now, with his message, there was no denying the magnetic pull.
“Meet me at the park, 7 PM. I need to see you.”
She stood at the window for a while, staring out into the dimming sky, wondering what was going through his mind. What did he want from her? What did she want from him? She couldn't help but so she thought to meet him. These were the questions that flooded her mind as she dressed and prepared to leave.
---
The park was quiet, almost eerily so. The kind of quiet that settled over you like a blanket, wrapping you in a false sense of peace. Lavender had always found comfort in places like this, where the world seemed to fade and you could hear your own thoughts clearly. But today, even the gentle rustling of leaves felt like too much noise.
Too much noise.
As soon as she stepped into the park, she spotted him. Alex. He was standing by the fountain, his figure silhouetted against the pale light of the evening. His eyes met hers before he even said a word, and for a moment, neither of them moved. It was as though time itself had stopped. Stopped for their staring moment.
She walked toward him, each step feeling heavier than the last. As if each and every step towards him sets the temperature low.
“You came,” he said, a faint smile playing on his lips. There was something about his voice that made her feel seen, as if he understood the silent battles she fought, even though they hadn’t said a word yet.
“I almost didn’t,” she replied, surprised by the truth in her own words. “I didn’t know what you wanted.”
“I just wanted to see you,” By shaking hands Alex said quietly. His gaze softened, as if sensing her hesitance. “No pressure.”
Lavender nodded, unsure of what to say. The tension between them was palpable, a silent current running through the air. She found herself standing there, unsure of what to do with the space between them, unsure of how to bridge the distance.
“I thought about what you said, you know,” she said after a long pause. “About not being afraid.”
Alex raised an eyebrow, leaning in slightly as if he wanted to hear more. “And what did you decide?”
“I don’t know,” she said, almost laughing at herself. “I think I’ve spent my whole life being afraid. Of things I can’t control. Of letting people in.”
He nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “I get that. It’s easier to keep things locked up. But eventually, you have to let someone in, or you’ll explode from all the things you’re holding inside.”
Lavender looked away, her thoughts swirling. She hadn’t planned on saying anything, but somehow the words spilled out of her.
“You’re right. But sometimes... sometimes the things inside are too dark. Too ugly to share.”
Alex’s gaze softened, his lips curling into a comforting smile. “Maybe, but I think the things that are ugly have a way of turning into something beautiful once you say them out loud with that person”.
YOU ARE READING
Whisper of the lies and pasts👥🍂
Mystery / Thriller"Whisper of the lies and pasts" is a haunting tale of love, loss, and the unspoken connections that bind us together. Set against the backdrop of an ordinary café, the story follows a woman who, trapped in her own quiet world, encounters a man whose...
