The lecture hall was abuzz with the usual hum of student chatter as Emilia walked in, her satchel slung over her shoulder. She placed her notes on the desk, preparing for the day's session. Teaching had become second nature to her, a passion she carried with quiet pride. Today, however, was different—a guest lecturer had been scheduled, someone she hadn't met before.
She glanced at the clock. Five minutes to go. It was nothing out of the ordinary.
The door creaked open, and Emilia turned toward it. She froze.
A man walked in, his posture confident and composed, a leather briefcase in his hand. He was older, more polished, but unmistakably familiar.
It was Aiden.
Her heart stopped for a moment before speeding up. It couldn't be. It had been ten years since she last saw him—ten years since he had disappeared from her life without a word.
---
A Decade Ago
Emilia could still remember the last time she had seen him. They had been close friends in college, practically inseparable. He had been her rock, her confidant, and the person who understood her better than anyone else.
But one day, he was gone. No explanation, no goodbye. She had only found out through mutual friends that his family had moved abroad. For weeks, she had waited for a call, a message—anything to explain his sudden departure. But nothing came.
The silence had been deafening, the unanswered questions eating away at her. Why hadn't he told her? Had she meant so little to him?
---
The Present
Now, here he was, standing just a few feet away, his gaze scanning the room. When his eyes landed on her, they widened slightly, a flicker of recognition passing across his face. Emilia felt a storm of emotions—shock, anger, and something she couldn't quite name.
"Good morning," Aiden began, his voice steady but carrying a slight edge of hesitation. "I'm Aiden Blake, and I'll be your guest lecturer for this course on International Relations."
Emilia clenched her hands into fists, willing herself to stay composed. She couldn't let her emotions get the better of her—not here, not in front of her students.
Aiden's voice droned on, but Emilia barely registered his words. She was too focused on the memories rushing back, the hurt she had buried for so long.
---
The Lecture Ends
When the session concluded, the students filed out of the room, chatting about the day's topic. Emilia stayed at her desk, pretending to organize her notes. She wasn't ready to face him, but she knew she couldn't avoid it forever.
"Emilia."
His voice was soft, hesitant, and somehow exactly the same as she remembered. She looked up, meeting his gaze.
"Aiden," she replied, her tone neutral.
There was a pause, heavy with unspoken words.
"I didn't know you were here," he said finally, his voice low.
She raised an eyebrow. "And I didn't know you were coming."
Aiden sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I... I didn't know how to tell you."
"Just like you didn't know how to tell me you were leaving?" she shot back, her voice sharp.
His expression faltered, guilt flashing in his eyes. "I didn't handle that well. I was young, and... I thought it would be easier that way."
"Easier for who?" Emilia demanded, her voice rising slightly. "You left without a word, Aiden. I didn't even know you were gone until someone else told me."
"I know," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "I was scared. Scared of what saying goodbye would mean. So I avoided it. I thought it would hurt less."
Emilia shook her head, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "Do you know what it felt like? Waiting for a call that never came? Wondering if I had done something wrong?"
"I'm sorry," Aiden said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I thought about you every day, Emilia. I wanted to reach out, but as more time passed, it got harder. I didn't know if you'd even want to hear from me."
Emilia stared at him, her heart aching with the weight of his words. Part of her wanted to believe him, to forgive him. But the wound was still fresh, even after all these years.
---
Unfinished Business
Aiden stepped closer, his eyes searching hers. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but... can we talk? Properly? Not here, not like this."
Emilia hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to walk away. But something in his voice, in the way he looked at her, made her pause.
"Fine," she said finally, her tone guarded. "Tomorrow. After class."
Aiden nodded, relief flickering across his face. "Thank you."
As Emilia walked out of the lecture hall, her emotions swirled in a chaotic storm. Seeing Aiden again had reopened old wounds, but it had also stirred something else—hope.
Tomorrow, she would face the past. And maybe, just maybe, she would find the answers she had been searching for all these years.