"Noor, are you home?" I called out as I stepped into the house, the familiar scent of home wrapping around me.
"She's not home... she's at your mum's," my dad's voice came from the living room.
I turned to see him standing there with a gentle smile. "Dad, how was your day?" I asked, walking over to give him a hug.
"It was good," he said, kissing my forehead. "But you look depressed."
I shook my head, trying to smile. "No, it's nothing... You should go change and get some rest. I'll prepare dinner for you."
"Love you, Dad."
"Love you too, Ana," he replied, moving towards the kitchen.
I climbed the stairs to my room, feeling the weight of the day settle on my shoulders. My room was my sanctuary, cozy and filled with posters and pictures of Daniel, alongside movie posters that lined the walls. My trophies from various school competitions gleamed from the shelves, a testament to my past achievements.
I immediately fell onto my bed with a sigh. "Ohhh," I murmured to myself. I was already missing him. My gaze drifted to a picture of Daniel just beside my bed—a candid shot from our welcome party.
I remembered the first time I saw him that day. It was the beginning of our first year in college. The hall was buzzing with excitement, filled with new faces and endless possibilities. Amidst the crowd, my eyes had found him. He was standing by the refreshments table, laughing with a group of friends. His laughter was infectious, and it drew me in.
"Hi, I'm Ana," I had said, my voice wavering slightly as I approached him.
He turned, his eyes sparkling with friendliness. "Hey, I'm Daniel. Nice to meet you, Ana."
From that moment, something clicked. We spent the rest of the evening talking about our interests, our hopes, and dreams. I learned that he loved photography and had a passion for capturing the beauty of everyday moments. He was different from anyone I had ever met, and I was instantly drawn to him.
As I lay on my bed now, I thought about the memories we had created over the years. Our first study session at the library where we both ended up more engrossed in each other's stories than in our textbooks. The spontaneous road trip we took one weekend, driving with no destination in mind, just enjoying the freedom and each other's company. The late-night conversations that stretched into the early hours of the morning, where we shared our deepest fears and wildest dreams.
I smiled at the thought of the time we went hiking. Daniel had insisted on taking a less traveled path, convinced it would lead to a hidden waterfall. We got lost, of course, but the adventure brought us closer. We found a secluded spot where we sat and talked for hours, the beauty of nature surrounding us, making everything feel magical.
But now, lying alone in my room, those memories felt distant. I missed him terribly. My gaze returned to the picture beside my bed. His eyes, captured in that moment, seemed to look back at me with the same warmth and affection I felt.
I sighed deeply, feeling the loneliness creep in. "Why does it always have to be this way?" I whispered to myself. The silence of my room felt heavy, and my heart ached with longing.
"Noor, are you home?" I called out again, hoping for some company, but knowing she was at Mum's.
In the quiet of my room, surrounded by memories, I allowed myself to drift back to those moments with Daniel. Each memory was a precious thread, weaving a tapestry of our shared history, a reminder of what we had and what I hoped to hold onto.
"Love you, Dad," I called out again, needing the reassurance of family amidst the solitude.
"Love you too, Ana," his voice floated up from the kitchen, grounding me in the present.
With a deep breath, I closed my eyes, letting the memories and the promise of tomorrow soothe the ache in my heart. I had found love once, and I held onto the hope that it would find me again.