She was baking a pie, not knowing she would never have to wait again…
In the garden, surrounded by the scent of mint and delicate hydrangeas, she curled up on the swing, a book in her hands. The warm, almost cozy aroma of an apricot pie filled the air as it baked in the oven. She always knew when he would come. She didn’t need a message or a call—she just felt it.
Today, she knew it too. That’s why she had started the dough early in the morning.
He never planned in advance. There would just come a moment when the loneliness became unbearable. And then he would get into his car, pick up his phone, and dial her number.
– Hey…
They met by chance—among people they barely knew. She was brought by her sister, he by a friend. Neither of them wanted to be there, but they found themselves sitting side by side, strangers in the middle of a noisy gathering. He asked her to dance. Then, on a whim, he bought a long-stemmed, almost ridiculous rose from a street florist. Later, he drove her home across the entire city.
From that night on, everything changed.
And it scared him.
He didn’t want to open his heart again, didn’t want to get attached, didn’t want to take risks. But every time life clenched him in an iron grip, when everything around him became gray and empty, he would just get behind the wheel and drive to her.
She never asked for promises. She just waited.
One day, he cautiously said:
– I could stay here…
Her eyes lit up for a second, then dimmed just as quickly.
– It’s up to you, whatever you decide.
Their goodbyes always felt like being torn in half. He would step outside the gate, pause, turn around, and come back to kiss her one last time. Then he would try to leave again. And come back. Again.
He met her too late. But he was grateful he had met her at all.
His past had been stormy. Passion, fights, broken dishes, slamming doors. But now, he needed something else. A love that smelled of mint, hot tea, and freshly baked pies. Quiet. Peaceful. Real.
This time, he didn’t want to wait for the weekend. He called her straight from the road.
Then, he turned off his phone, turned up the music. And didn’t hear the crash.
She would never know that he was driving to her to stay forever.
He would never know that their daughter had the same piercing blue eyes.
