ONCE ONLY WAS STRANGERS.

If We Both Had Talked

The rain pelted against the windowpane, creating a symphony of pitter-pattering sounds. It was a stormy night, and the dark clouds seemed to mirror the turmoil inside the small cottage. Emma sat by the fireplace, staring into the crackling flames, lost in her thoughts.

A few hours earlier, she had received a letter that shattered her world. It was from Benjamin, the man she had loved and lost many years ago. The letter spoke of regret, of missed opportunities, and of a deep desire to make amends. It seemed as if fate had granted them a chance to rewrite their story.

Emma's heart ached with longing as she remembered the days when they were inseparable. They had been childhood friends, their bond growing stronger with each passing year. As they grew older, their friendship blossomed into something more profound, a love that seemed invincible. But life had other plans.

Their paths diverged when Benjamin received an opportunity to study abroad. Reluctantly, he had bid farewell, promising to return. However, distance took its toll on their relationship. Misunderstandings and silence slowly eroded their connection until it was nothing more than a distant memory.

Emma glanced at the letter again, her eyes fixated on one particular sentence: "If we both had talked with each other, nothing would have done like this." Those words resonated deeply within her. They held the power to rekindle their love, or at least bring closure to the pain that had haunted her for years.

As the storm raged outside, Emma made a decision. She would find Benjamin and confront him about the past. She needed to know if there was still a chance for them, or if it was too late to salvage what they had lost.

With a determined resolve, Emma packed a small bag and set off into the night. She walked through the rain-soaked streets, following the fading memories of their shared past. The journey seemed endless, but her heart guided her every step of the way.

Finally, Emma arrived at a quaint little cafe, the same one they used to frequent during their blissful days. She pushed open the creaking door, her heart pounding with anticipation. And there he was, sitting alone at a corner table, staring out into the rainy night.

Their eyes met, and a mix of emotions washed over Benjamin's face. Surprise, regret, and a glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes. Emma took a deep breath, gathering the courage to speak the words that had been buried deep within her soul.

"Benjamin," she began, her voice trembling, "I received your letter. If we both had talked with each other, nothing would have done like this."

Benjamin's gaze softened, and he reached out to hold Emma's hand. "Emma, I've carried the weight of our silence for far too long. I've regretted every day that passed without hearing your voice, without seeing your smile. I'm so sorry for letting distance come between us."

Tears welled up in Emma's eyes, and a sense of relief washed over her. In that moment, she knew that their love had endured, despite the years of separation. They had both been scarred by the past, but they were determined to heal together.

As the storm raged outside, Emma and Benjamin talked late into the night. They shared their fears, their dreams, and their deepest regrets. And in doing so, they found solace and forgiveness.

Sometimes, it takes a storm to clear the air, to wash away the pain of the past. If they had talked, if they had communicated their feelings, perhaps they wouldn't have lost so much time. But they had been given a second chance, an opportunity to rewrite their story.

And as they held each other's hands, Emma knew that no matter the challenges that lay ahead, their love would endure. Together, they would create a future built on trust, open communication, and a promise to never let silence define their relationship again.