Liora's hands trembled, her tears of refusing to stop. Ziv's voice still echoed in her ears, each word sinking deep into her heart: "I'll be back tomorrow".
Her father leaned forward, his face lighting up with a rare, tender smile. Well look at you all teary-eyed. My little Liora is glowing like the morning sun. "Ziv is coming back, this is good news".
Liora wiped her face with the back of her hand and laughed softly. "I can't believe it dad, After years...he's really coming back". Her father reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "You two have been through so much together. I'm glad you stayed strong for each other. But, my dear, don't forget tomorrow will be a big day for the both of you. You've grown so much since he left, and I'm sure he has too. Give yourselves time to adjust." Liora nodded, her thoughts racing. She had spent years imagining this moment, but now it was real, and undercurrent of anxiety crept in. Would Ziv still feel the same way about her?, would he notice how much she'd changed, not just on the outside but within?.
After breakfast, she busied herself with chores around the house, trying to keep her mind occupied and her thoughts in place. Her father returned to the vineyard, humming an old tune, leaving her alone with her swirling emotions. As the hours passed, she began making preparations for Ziv's return.
she wandered into her room and opened an old wooden box that sat on her bedside table. Inside were letters and trinkets Ziv had sent her over the years: a pressed flower from a park he'd visited, a small keychain with the name of his university, and dozens of handwritten notes. Liora smiled as she picked up one of the letters and began reading.
"Liora, Every time I miss you, I think about the way your laugh lights up a room or the way you always leave your boots by the pavement after a long day in the vineyard. It reminds me of the life we'll build together one day, where you'll always be the heart of my world.
yours always, Ziv".
Tears welled up again as she folded the letter and placed it back in the box. She'd kept every piece of him close, even when he was miles away. Tomorrow, he wouldn't just be a voice on the phone or a memory in a letter—he'd be here, with her.
That night, Liora struggled to sleep. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, imagining what it would feel like to see Ziv walk through the door. Would he look the same? Would his smile still have that comforting warmth?
The hours dragged on until, finally, dawn broke. Liora sprang out of bed, filled with nervous energy. She dressed in her favorite sundress, one Ziv had always complimented before he left.
Her father noticed her pacing by the window. "Liora, you're going to wear out the floorboards if you don't sit down."
She laughed nervously. "I just want everything to be perfect."
He gave her a knowing look. "It already is. You've waited for this moment, and now it's here. Go meet it with an open heart."
And then, just as the sun began to climb higher in the sky, there was a knock at the door. Liora froze. Her father's voice was steady. "Well, aren't you going to get that?"
Her heart pounded as she crossed the room and opened the door. Standing there, with the same familiar smile she'd dreamed of for years, was Ziv. He looked a little older, a little more refined, but his eyes—those kind, warm eyes—hadn't changed a bit.
"Hi, Liora," he said softly, his voice carrying the weight of all the years between them.
couldn't speak. Instead, she threw her arms around him, holding on as if afraid he might vanish again.
"I'm home," he whispered. And for the first time in years, everything felt right again.