Vincent & Vanessa

Vincent could feel the heavy breaths Vanessa was taking. The emptiness in his eyes was unmistakable, as he suddenly realized that his life had never been as unpredictable as he had once thought before meeting Vanessa.

He had never imagined that someone's life could be so brutally harsh.

As Vincent looked outside, tears welled up in his eyes, poised to spill over onto his lap.

His face grew paler, not from the unhappiness in his own life, but from witnessing the strength Vanessa still held in her heart.

The cool, light breeze caressed them, and the rising sun gradually illuminated Amsterdam with each passing minute. Another morning had arrived, bringing with it new hopes and unforeseen turns.

Vincent had forgotten how to comfort someone because he had never received comfort from anyone himself.

However, he had also never experienced the level of hatred and criticism that Vanessa had endured from everyone.

Before he could say anything, Vanessa's sweet voice, now gentle and devoid of any rudeness, broke the silence.

— "Thank you very much for listening to my story, which I've never told anyone and perhaps never will again."

— "No, that's totally fine, but I want to ask you something."

Vincent said hesitantly, though Vanessa hadn't given any indication that she was open to questions. Nevertheless, he continued with a serious tone.

— "Have you ever fallen in love, Vanessa?"

Vanessa didn't answer immediately. A slight, beautiful smile played on her lips.

She first glanced at the partition that still kept them from seeing each other fully, then turned her face toward the street outside. Still smiling, she replied,

— "After all, who will love a girl with scars? Some stories are meant to remain untold."

Vanessa said softly, her voice tinged with an acceptance that only comes from enduring deep pain. Vincent fell silent, a bittersweet smile crossing his face. The weight of Vanessa's words lingered in the air.

It didn't matter whether Vanessa had fallen in love or whether she shared that part of her story with him.

What mattered was that he had heard most of her story, which meant a great deal to him.

He understood the harsh truth of it: in a world that often values perfection, nobody loves a girl who is broken and scarred, both physically and emotionally.

He glanced at the clock. It was nearly closing time, 5:50 AM. The first light of dawn began to filter through the windows, casting a gentle glow on the café's interior.

Vincent smiled, though a touch of sadness lingered in his eyes.

He wished he could have comforted Vanessa more, but he didn't realize that simply listening to her story was exactly what she needed.

The act of being there, silently bearing witness to her pain, was a profound comfort in itself.

Vincent then asked softly, trying to mask his emotions with a smile, though failing miserably in front of Vanessa.

No matter what she had endured or would endure, the respect Vincent felt for her would remain unchanged.

— "I wonder if we'll ever meet again!"

H mused, his voice laced with genuine curiosity and a hint of hope.

— "If the universe wills it, we will."

Vanessa replied with a smile, one that Vincent couldn't see but could sense. There was a quiet strength in her words, a resilience that shone through despite everything she had been through.

Just then, Lady Bellaruby's voice echoed through the café's speakers, her tone warm and inviting,

— "Now, one by one, please leave the café. It's time for the final farewell among strangers. Who knows more about us than those whom we loved? Thank you for visiting Café Wabi-Sabi: start from the end. We truly appreciate the time you spent here with strangers. Time has stopped, and it's time to say goodbye. We may meet again, but let's remember today forever."

The thought of not seeing Vanessa again, of not being able to recognize each other by face, pained him in a way he couldn't quite understand.

The transient connections formed in this café, with its unique atmosphere, felt more poignant in the light of dawn.

— "Let's remember today!"

Vanessa's smile lingered, unfading. After twenty years of suffering, she finally shared her hardships and sadness with someone, feeling truly free and happy for the first time.

Her name, meaning butterfly and freedom, seemed fitting now as she embraced this newfound liberation.

At 34, with an old soul marred by scars that only she could heal, Vanessa felt a sense of release.

— "I think I should go first."

She said, still smiling. Vincent, matching her smile, replied,

— "Hmm! See you soon!"

Though he knew deep down that he would never see Vanessa again, never hear her voice or recognize her in any unknown street, the memories they shared would forever be etched in their souls.

Vanessa sat for a few more seconds, then rose, realizing the profound impact a stranger had made on her heart.

It was better, she thought, to share one's story with a stranger rather than someone they known.

A stranger would listen and judge silently, keeping their judgments to themselves.

With a profound smile, Vanessa walked towards the main door, her heels clicking softly on the floor.

She glanced back at the partition one last time, wondering if she would ever return to this café. Regardless, Café Wabi-Sabi would always hold a special place in her heart.

Hearing Vanessa's heels, Vincent felt an overwhelming desire to break the café's rule and see her for the last time.

Her voice, tone, and presence were fading away, leaving him with a poignant sense of loss. He remained silent for a moment, then rose from his chair, replaying Vanessa's words in his mind.

As he walked towards the exit, he glanced at Lady Bellaruby, who sat at the counter with a warm smile.

Vincent returned the smile and stepped outside, leaving the café behind. He realized how dramatically his life had changed in just a few hours.

The sunrise bathed Amsterdam in a golden light, signaling the start of a new day filled with new hopes and possibilities, even as he carried the memory of Vanessa and her story with him.

Where he had once stood on the edge of despair, ready to end his life, Vincent now walked towards his house with a renewed sense of purpose and a heart touched by an unexpected encounter.

The enigmatic figure in black who had saved him the previous night remained a mystery, yet his silent strength and unspoken support had given Vincent the courage to continue living.

This guardian angel had shown Vincent that sometimes, the most profound impact comes from those who appear in our lives without a word and leave without a trace.

For Vanessa, Vincent had found a kindred spirit, someone whose story mirrored the pain and resilience he had come to know.

Although they had never seen each other's faces, the connection they shared through their words was undeniable.

Vanessa's story, laced with sorrow and strength, had resonated deeply with him. He realized that in her, he had found a soul as scarred and as resilient as his own.

As Vanessa walked through the quiet streets of Amsterdam, the early morning light casting a soft glow around her, she felt a newfound strength blossoming within her.

Her dark lips, her aura of fierce femininity, and her maroon off-shoulder dress made her a striking figure, drawing the gaze of those she passed.

But beyond her captivating appearance, there was a profound transformation taking place.

For the first time in years, she felt the stirrings of hope and the possibility of change.

Vanessa knew that the path ahead would not be easy, but she was determined to reclaim her life.

She realized that her name, Vanessa, which meant butterfly and freedom, was a promise she was ready to fulfill.

Vincent, too, felt the weight of their shared moment. As he walked away from the café, the memory of Vanessa's voice and the story she had shared stayed with him.

they walked their separate paths, Vincent and Vanessa were united by the bittersweet understanding that their connection, though fleeting, was profound.

Vincent finally understood the meaning behind Café Wabi-Sabi's slogan: "Start from the end."

It was a reminder that every ending is a beginning in disguise, that their story, though ending here, would continue in the memories they carried and the changes they inspired in each other.

In the silence of Amsterdam's dawn, both Vincent and Vanessa moved forward with a renewed spirit, their hearts heavy with the sadness of parting but lightened by the hope of new beginnings.

The streets echoed with the quiet promise of transformation, a testament to the idea that nothing truly ends; there is always a chance for beginning.