I opened my closet and stood there, looking at the dresses. I had worn almost all of them. I thought about getting rid of a few and replacing them with new ones. Now, I'll just wear jeans and a shirt to match, adding a light touch of makeup to my face.
I don't like heavy, bold makeup. It makes me look older than my age, and I like to stay a child, even as I grow older.
I sprayed two spritzes of my favorite perfume, which has the essence of jasmine nectar, then grabbed my handbag and coat. I took a glance at my father's picture, silently promising not to be late. I know his spirit is with me, watching over me, feeling me, and staying with me at all times.
I went downstairs and kissed my mother and Sophie, wishing them a lovely day. It had only been a few minutes of walking when I heard my friend Livia call out to me. She is always by my side. We grew up and studied together. She's an only child, and her parents are still alive, living in a modest but warm and loving home.
Livia is tall, beautiful, with blue eyes and blonde hair. She is a girl with excellent manners, and I consider her like a sister. We have shared both joy and sorrow, and she is like a vault for my secrets, as I am for hers. She called out to me:
"Senouheit, how wonderful to see you, we met at the same time! How are you?"
I loved her and replied, "I'm fine, my dear, and you? How are your parents?"
She answered, "Everyone's good, and they send their regards to you."
Then she continued, "Let's make the most of this beautiful weather, we're on the edge of winter. You know how the weather changes here; it shifts in the blink of an eye."
I answered, happy, "You're right, my dear. Let's enjoy our time now before the weather surprises us."
We wandered from one shop to another, picking out clothes, especially the latest dresses. I wished I could buy them all, they were so stunning, they took my breath away.
I was taken with a beautiful black floral dress. Livia encouraged me to buy it, telling me it would suit my skin tone. My friend, on the other hand, bought a shirt; she always prefers wearing pants with shirts.
After we got tired from walking, we ended up at a restaurant. I ordered our favorite meal—pizza with vegetables and minced meat—for both me and Livia.
While we were eating, my attention was caught by a handsome young man, tall with sharp features, his brown hair neatly styled. He had a certain charm that shone through his eyes, drawing me in. I couldn't finish my food because his gaze was following me, and I felt my cheeks burn with warmth that I couldn't bear. I grabbed a cold glass of water and drank it all at once, trying to cool the flame inside me.
Livia noticed my unease and asked, confused, "Maria, what's wrong? You're all red. Are you feeling okay?"
I tried to hide my feelings and said, "Nothing, I just felt a bit warm here inside the restaurant."
Livia laughed and said, "Are you joking? Winter is just around the corner; it can't possibly be warm enough to make you feel like this."
I replied, "Livia, let's go. I want to head home. Mom will be worried if we stay out too long."
Livia was surprised by my request, saying, "That's strange, but no problem, we can go. But you'll have to tell me what's going on. If not today, then tomorrow."
We left the restaurant together, and I asked her to walk faster, almost as if I were running away from something I didn't want to face. Maybe it was a sudden earthquake of love that had knocked on my door, and I was scared of it, so I fled. I looked back and saw that he was still watching us, following us wherever we went.
I quickened my pace so he wouldn't catch up, and before I knew it, I was standing in front of my house, ringing the doorbell repeatedly. In the same moment, I quickly said goodbye to Livia, and Sophie opened the door, surprised to see me back so early.
I rushed in, climbed the stairs without greeting anyone, and went straight to my balcony. There, I saw him on the street across from our house. I was stunned! He had seen me and waved, smiling in a way that made me lose my senses. How did he know where I lived? Why had he followed me? Perhaps he, too, had felt that sudden tremor of love.
What puzzled me the most was that he was a stranger. I had never seen him in that restaurant before. I visit it occasionally with Livia, so he must be new around here, not from this town. His appearance confirmed that. I closed the balcony door and threw myself onto my bed, replaying the events of the day. Every time I imagined the image of that stranger, I smiled.
I didn't open my eyes until I heard Sophie calling my name.
"Senouheit, where are you? I've made tea, darling."
I answered, "I'll be there in a moment."
I changed my clothes and glanced at the balcony. My little bird had left. Maybe it would return, or maybe it wouldn't.
I slowly descended the stairs. My mother and Sophie were surprised by my change in behavior, as they were used to the chaos I caused when I came downstairs. I sat down on my chair, lost in thought. My heart had gone with him.