Love Can Happen Only ONCE

Waiting! The word carried the weight of unfulfilled desires and hopes suspended in time.

Most people wait with the expectation that their dreams will come true, but life rarely unfolds according to our plans.

Waiting! Yes, someone was waiting last night. Serene, with a heart full of hope and a mind buzzing with questions, waited for Killian.

Serene's thoughts swirled with possibilities as she served her customers with her usual grace and warmth.

Despite her internal turmoil, she never let her smile waver. But now, as a new day dawned, her faint hope began to fade. Perhaps Killian would never return to her café.

She sensed that Killian was grappling with emotions he never intended to feel, emotions he had no desire to confront.

Five days had passed without a sign of Killian. Each day, Serene opened and closed her café, her heart growing heavier with each passing moment.

She longed to ask him the question that burned in her mind: Why had his lover left him? She knew it was a deeply personal matter, yet she couldn't help but yearn for an answer.

This morning, as she shut the café door and looked back at the empty tables, the weight in her heart grew unbearable. She had given her all to her customers, masking her sadness with a smile.

But now, as she walked away, the heaviness in her heart lingered. She wanted to understand Killian's pain, to hear his story, and perhaps to offer him solace.

As Serene moved through the morning routine, her thoughts remained with Killian.

She wondered if he was alright, if he was still in Amsterdam, or if he had left the city and her life forever.

Her steps felt heavier, her heart laden with unspoken words and unanswered questions.

She knew she might never see him again, but a part of her would always wait, hoping for a chance to hear his story, to understand the man who had silently touched her heart.

But still, she couldn't help herself but wonder. After entering her house, she took a shower and slept for a few hours.

When the evening arrived, she woke up and freshened up. As she looked at herself in the mirror, Serene smiled.

Her face seemed to glow more with each passing day. They say happiness shines through everything, making people look more beautiful when they embrace joy.

Dressed in a red dress that reached her knees and covered her shoulders and arms, she let her hair down.

Serene decided to go for a walk, hoping the fresh air would soothe her soul.

She clasped her hands together, took a deep breath, and walked towards the door, holding onto her thoughts.

Lady Bellaruby, engrossed in a novel, looked up as Serene informed her of her plans for a walk. With a nod, Serene moved outside.

Sadness and disappointment might be ubiquitous, but love and care were somewhere to be found. Serene felt the warmth in the evening air, her shiny hair floating gently in the breeze.

She walked with a grace that made her look like a freshly bloomed flower in a garden.

Her fair skin made the red dress even more striking. Serene stood in front of her café, where the letters glowed, timeless and welcoming.

There, under the half-full moon, Serene smiled. The moon, as always, was a beacon of beauty and tranquility.

She hoped that whatever challenges lay in everyone's path would vanish, and they would find what they truly desired.

As she gazed at the moon, a quiet sense of peace settled over her. In that moment, she let go of her worries about Killian.

She wished him well, wherever he was, and hoped that he too would find the answers he sought.

With a renewed sense of calm, Serene continued her walk, embracing the serenity of the night and the promise of new beginnings. Before she could think any further, Serene heard a voice.

It was the voice she had been yearning to hear for five days, though she would only admit it to herself. It was a husky, harsh voice yet audible and clear; just like before.

— "The moon is beautiful, isn't it?"

Serene smiled for a second, then started laughing without turning to her right. Her face, illuminated by the streetlights and the moon, seemed to glow even brighter than before.

The soft sound of her laughter reached no one's ears except the man standing next to her—Killian.

Dressed in a simple white shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his slightly messy hair, and the usual black pants, his face showed an emotion too complex to decipher.

Killian found her laughter soothing, though he was still puzzled. Why was she laughing at such a simple comment? Wasn't the moon beautiful?

Had he said something wrong? He looked at the petite Serene and spoke again, this time with a hint of curiosity.

— "Is it so funny, what I said?"

Serene, now looking at the man she had wanted to ask questions and see his face, noticed his perplexed expression.

He seemed like a person caught in a web of complicated thoughts, not even sure what he wanted. She continued their intense eye contact and replied,

— "In our culture, it has a different meaning, what you just said."

— "What does it mean?"

— "It's better not to know for you. But how does Amsterdam look to you? You've been here for a week."

Killian took a moment to process her words, still curious about the cultural meaning he was unaware of. He finally responded, his eyes reflecting a mix of thoughts.

— "Amsterdam is... different. It's vibrant, yet there's a certain calmness to it. The canals, the architecture, and the people... it's all very captivating."

Serene nodded, her smile softening.

— "It's a city of contrasts. Much like life itself, don't you think?"

Killian looked at her, feeling the weight of her words.

— "Yes, it is. And you seem to embody that contrast quite well."

Serene blushed slightly, turning her gaze back to the moon.

— "Thank you. And you, Mr. Killian, are full of mysteries yourself."

Killian chuckled softly.

— "I suppose I am. But tell me, what did my comment about the moon mean in your culture?"

Serene hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice barely above a whisper.

— "In my culture, when someone says 'the moon is beautiful, isn't it?' it's another way of confessing their love."

Killian's eyes widened slightly, taken aback. The silence between them grew heavy, filled with unspoken thoughts and emotions. Finally, he broke the silence, his voice softer.

— "I didn't know that. But I'm glad you told me."

Serene nodded, feeling a strange mix of emotions.

— "Sometimes, words hold more power than we realize."

As they stood there, side by side, under the moonlit sky, both felt the weight of the moment.

It was a night of revelations, of unspoken feelings, and perhaps, the beginning of something neither had anticipated.

Serene spoke in a low voice, so only Killian could hear her. A wave of relief washed over her face, knowing she would finally ask the question she had wanted to ask for so long.

— "How many places you visit til now?"

However, the answer Killian gave her was different from anything she had imagined.

He spoke while looking at her intently, his gaze piercing into her soul. Serene, on the other hand, focused on the passing vehicles.

— "I didn't visit anywhere and didn't go anywhere. After the museum, the library, and the street from my hotel to Cafe Wabi-Sabi, that's all I've seen till now."

Serene looked at Killian with puzzled eyes. She didn't understand what he meant.

Did he imply that he hadn't gone anywhere after visiting with her? Was that even possible? Why hadn't he explored more of Amsterdam?

Wasn't that the reason he came to the Netherlands? Her puzzled eyes reflected Killian's image, just as his eyes held her reflection. Both saw each other's reflections in their eyes.

— "Hmm?"

Serene hummed, seeking clarification. Killian responded with a bare, straightforward expression.

— "Do you know the reason my lover gave me for our breakup?"

Serene looked more perplexed but was also a little bit shocked because Killian was saying exactly what she wanted to ask him.

It was good for her that she didn't have to ask him to get an answer.

She looked at Killian, her few front short hairs falling in front of her face, but she immediately moved them behind her shoulder, focusing on what Killian wanted to say.

— "She said it's better to say goodbye than to try to continue it without her wish. Also, we can't love someone all our life. Perhaps she is my first love, but it really doesn't matter. True love happens when, after falling for someone, you won't able to fall again."

Killian took a pause and then continued,

— "That's what she told me, that was the reason she gave me."

Serene smiled and responded,

— "You should be happy that you had a girl who was honest about her feelings. At least she didn't stay with you and betray you."

— "Do you agree with her?"

— "Of course, I do. It's true, love can happen only ONCE, not twice or thrice. True love is really what your girlfriend explained. It's that feeling when, after falling for someone, everyone else seems dull and colorless except that person."

Their conversation was replaced by the silence of the night once again. Neither said anything for a moment, letting the quiet settle between them. Then, in her peaceful voice, Serene broke the silence.

— "How many days will you stay here, Mr. Killian?"

Killian replied,

— "Tonight is my last night."

Serene's heart raced as she felt the intensity of Killian's gaze, and for a moment, she was unable to break the eye contact.

When she finally looked away, she sensed his frustration but couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes again. She maintained her usual smile, masking the turmoil within.

— "Oh, so you are going. It's great to have met you."

She said, her voice steady but tinged with something deeper. Killian, not satisfied with her response, pressed on.

— "You didn't tell me one thing."

Serene, puzzled, glanced back at him, her eyes questioning what she had missed. Killian leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a husky whisper,

— "Don't you want me to come back here again?"