Marilena stands at the ironing board in her cozy apartment, the soft hum of the iron filling the quiet evening. The rhythmic motion of her hand on the fabric is a welcome distraction after a long day at work. The pile of clothes she washed on Sunday is slowly dwindling down, and soon, the day's tasks will be finished. A sense of calm settles over her as she focuses on the task at hand, the steady heat of the iron making the fabric crisp and neat.
Just as she straightens up to adjust the collar of a shirt, a sudden ping from her phone breaks the stillness. Her heart skips a beat as she glances toward the living room, where her phone lies charging on the table. She expects it to be a message from Christian. Lately, their conversations have been a bright spot in her day, and she can't help but feel a flutter of anticipation at the thought of hearing from him.
