Year: 2001 – Winter
The streets were nearly empty that evening.
Snowflakes danced under the pale orange glow of the street lamps.
Denial walked with his coat collar pulled high, hands in his pockets, his mind lost somewhere between memory and moonlight.
He wasn't supposed to be out this early.
But something inside him had stirred restlessly since New Year's night — ever since he saw her.
And then, fate played its quiet trick.
A sudden bump.
Books and papers scattered in the snow.
"I'm so sorry, sir! I didn't see you," said a soft, hurried voice.
Denial looked down and found himself staring into a pair of wide, startled eyes.
She was flustered. A little embarrassed.
Denial blinked, unsure why he couldn't look away.
Then, with a faint smile, he said gently,
"It's okay… really. By the way, I'm Denial. And you are…?"
The girl hesitated.
She looked at him — really looked — and seemed briefly lost in his eyes.
Then softly, she replied,
"I'm Eva."
Denial's lips curved up, his voice lowering sweetly.
"Oh. That's a beautiful name."
Eva smiled faintly, brushing snow off her coat.
"I have to go," she said. "I'm already late for home. Maybe… we'll talk later?"
She didn't wait for his reply.
She turned — and ran off into the snowy street.
"Eva!" Denial called after her.
"How will I see you again? Where can I find you? You didn't even tell me where—"
But she had already disappeared into the crowd.
---
🌙 The Waiting Begins
After that evening, Denial returned to that same spot every single day.
Even though he told himself not to hope…
He hoped.
He waited in silence.
But Eva never came back.
A week passed.
Then two.
Then a month.
Still… nothing.
---
🕯️ A Flicker Returns
One evening, after a short walk in the woods and feeding on animal blood — Denial was on his way home.
That's when he saw her.
Eva.
She was standing at the street corner, laughing and chatting with another girl. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold, her eyes shining with life.
Something in Denial's frozen heart stirred.
He walked toward her, unable to stop himself.
"Hello," he said, smiling softly. "Do you remember me?"
Eva turned.
Her laughter stopped.
She stared at him for a second, blinking as if trying to place his face. Then slowly shook her head.
"No... I don't think I do."
Denial stepped a little closer, careful not to frighten her.
"I'm Denial. We met last month — accidentally. You bumped into me, remember?"
Realization flickered across Eva's face.
Her friend leaned in and whispered, "He's so good-looking… those eyes! And that name… Denial? How dreamy."
Eva gently nudged her friend and gave her a warning look.
Then she looked back at Denial, a little smile pulling at her lips.
Denial spoke again, voice low but sincere.
"Eva… I don't want to confuse you or waste your time. But I'll be honest… I like you. From the very first time I saw you — I liked you."
Eva didn't answer.
She just stared at him — quietly — her eyes unreadable.
Then she said only this:
"Tomorrow. 10:50 AM. In front of St. Martin College."
And before Denial could say anything more…
She turned around and walked away with her friend.
---
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