Last night

The rain pattered softly against the windowpane as Nora sat by her desk, the dim light casting long shadows across her cluttered room. Her heart ached with a bittersweet mixture of nostalgia and sadness, an emotion she hadn’t felt in years. It was as if the universe had conspired to draw her back to this particular night, this particular place, where time seemed to hang suspended.

She picked up a photo from her desk—a young couple, laughing, their faces illuminated by the warm glow of a street lamp. It was a picture of her and Michael, taken on a similar rainy night long ago. Nora traced the outline of his face with her fingers, her mind drifting back to that last night they had spent together.

It had been years since they had last seen each other. Life, in all its chaotic unpredictability, had led them on separate paths. Nora had moved to a new city, pursued a new career, and rebuilt her life. Yet, every year on this night, she found herself returning to the memory of their final evening together.

The rain outside intensified, and Nora closed her eyes, allowing herself to be transported back in time. The scene unfolded as vividly as if it were happening all over again.

The little café on the corner was cosy and warm, filled with the soothing hum of quiet conversation and the clinking of coffee cups. Michael sat across from Nora, his eyes reflecting the soft candlelight that flickered between them. They had shared so many dreams and promises in that café, and now, with the world outside bathed in rain, they were facing the reality of their impending separation.

Nora remembered the moment with startling clarity. Michael had reached across the table, taking her hand in his. “I wish we didn’t have to do this,” he said, his voice trembling slightly.“Me too,” Nora replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “But sometimes, life doesn’t give us the choice we want.”

They had spent the evening talking about their hopes and fears, sharing stories and laughing as if there were no tomorrow. The clock had ticked away the hours unnoticed, and before they knew it, the café was closing. They had walked out into the rain, the world around them shimmering with an ethereal beauty.

Standing beneath the awning, they had shared one last kiss—a moment both tender and desperate. The rain had soaked through their coats, but neither had cared. It was a farewell that was both an end and a beginning, a testament to the strength of their bond despite the distance that would soon come between them.

Nora opened her eyes and looked around her room, the present coming back into focus. She felt a pang of regret that they had drifted apart, but also a deep appreciation for the love they had shared. She knew that the last night was not just a memory of loss but a reminder of the beauty and depth of their connection.

As the rain continued to fall outside, Nora made a silent promise to herself. She would cherish the memories, honour the love they had, and embrace the journey ahead with an open heart. After all, it was in the echo of that last night that she found the strength to move forward and to believe in the possibility of new beginnings.

The clock struck midnight, and Nora took one last look at the photograph before placing it gently back on the desk. With a deep breath, she turned off the light and stepped away from the past, ready to face the future with hope and courage.