The first weeks away was the hardest in everything I have done in life.
Amara learned that quickly and smartly.
The new campus was beautiful in a way that it felt so unreal, old buildings wrapped in ivy, students speaking in accents that still sounded foreign to her ears. Everything was exciting, yet nothing felt familiar for once. She attended orientation sessions, filled out paperwork, smiled politely when spoken to by people both her colleagues and then she returned to her small room and felt the ache settle in back again.
Distance had not erased Nathaniel rather if anything, it had made the memories sharper. The way he listened, the restraint in his touch and the quiet certainty in his eyes when he said her name.
She tried to focus on her studies, she forced herself to explore the city, to sit in cafes, to build a routine. slowly, the days became easier, even if the nights did not become easier likythe day time.
One evening, as she walked back to her residence, her phone buzzed with a notification she had not expected.
Unknown number.
She almost ignored it.
I hope you're settling in well.
Her breath caught.
She stared at the screen for a long moment before replying.
I am...., Thank you.
There was a pause.
I didn't want to intrude rather I just wanted you to know I think of you often.
She closed her eyes while pressing her back against the wall.
Please be careful, she typed. This is already hard.
I know I won't cross any lines.
She believed him.
The messages stayed sparse after that. Occasional, gentle, never demanding, never crossing into promises and yet, each one carried weight.
Back home, Nathaniel's life continued outwardly unchanged rather meetings, public appearances, interviews with Selene at his side, composed and graceful. To the world, they were exactly what they were meant to be.
Privately, something shifted.
"You're quieter" Selene said one night as they sat at opposite ends of the dining table.
"I'm learning" Nathaniel replied.
About what?
"About the cost of pretending something doesn't exist".
Selene regarded him thoughtfully. And what have you learned?
"That ignoring the truth doesn't make it disappear".
She nodded slowly and said"No, it doesn't at all"
Weeks passed.
Amara received praise from her professors, her confidence grew, she found herself laughing more easily, feeling less like she was holding her breath all the time. She was changing one afternoon, she received another message.
I'll be in your city next month. A brief conference, No expectations, Just letting you know and that's all.
Her fingers hovered over the screen.
I don't know if seeing you is a good idea, she replied.
I understand, he answered. If you decide otherwise, I'll respect it.
She didn't respond after that because the thought followed her for days. Seeing him again. The possibility terrified and tempted her in equal measure.
She spoke to Lila over a late night call.
What if seeing him breaks everything I've built here? Amara asked.
What if not seeing him keeps breaking you either " Lila replied.
The honesty stung was that Nathaniel arrived in the city quietly.
No announcements, no public events beyond the conference itself, He stood in his hotel room the first night, staring at the lights below, unsure whether he hoped Amara would reach out or remain silent.
On the third day, his phone buzzed.
We can meet but Just once.
Relief washed through him as he read the message.
They chose a quiet cafe near the river. When Amara walked in, he stood instinctively, then stopped himself. She looked different,more assured and calmer. It struck him how much strength distance have been given to her.
"You look well" he said.
"So do you" she replied.
They talked about safe things at first like classes, travel and Work. The space between them felt charged but contained.
"I'm proud of you" Nathaniel said finally.
She smiled softly. "I'm proud of me too".
He nodded, as though he had expected nothing less but higher.
They sat in silence for a moment, comfortable, careful and kindly.
"I still care" he said quietly. "But I'm learning how to carry it without hurting anyone".
She met his gaze, "So am I".
When they parted, there were no tears this time. No regret in fact Just an understanding that what they shared had not been erased, only transformed.
That night, Amara returned to her room and sat by the window, watching the city breathe around her.
Time had not healed everything.
But it had taught her how to live with the truth without losing herself.
And somewhere between distance and memory, love had found a very quiet and more steady place to exist.