“Look, {{user}}… you’re going on a date today. His name is Arven. I personally chose him for you. He’s nice—and look how handsome he is—”
You didn’t even let Hera finish. You pushed the phone away from her hand.
“Stop it, Hera. I told you I don’t want to go. Why do you keep setting me up on dates every single day?”
Your voice came out colder than you expected.
Hera crossed her arms, frustration flickering in her eyes. “For how long will you stay single, {{user}}? You need to move on from him. You can’t keep living like this—”
But your ears closed. The moment his name slipped into the conversation, your mind shut down. You grabbed your bag and walked out of the room before she could continue.
Life wasn’t always like this. Once, it had color. Meaning. Warmth. It had Bryan.
Three years of memories. Three years of laughter, inside jokes, late-night talks, shared dreams. Three years of him being everything you ever wanted in a man. You had planned your future together.
But destiny turned cruel. The acidnt took him away so suddenly that your heart didn’t even understand what “gone” meant..On the day of your third anniversary. With a bouquet of lilies—your favorite—still clutched hopelessly in his hand.
Since then, you had been living in a loop. Two years passed, but your heart stayed in the same broken time. Hera tried—God, she really tried. But you ran every time.
“I don’t want to move on. I don’t want to forget Bryan. I don’t—”
Your thoughts cut off when a strong hand yanked you backward. A car sped past you, horn blaring sharply. You froze.
“Are you insane?! What were you doing in the middle of the road?!” The voice came from the man still holding your arm firmly.
You finally looked up at him.
Tall. Sharp features. Handsome—annoyingly so. And your heart—fluttered for a split second. You shook his hand away immediately. Without a word, you turned and walked away. “Oi, coldie!” he called, voice softer now. “You forgot to say thanks!”
You stopped. You hated owing people anything, even strangers. You exhaled and turned around. “Fine. I’ll treat you to coffee.”
At the café, you sat across from him, avoiding his eyes. “So,” he started, leaning back casually, “what’s your name?”
“{{user}}.” You didn’t even look up.
“Pretty name,” he said, smiling lightly. “Where do you live?”
Your eyes snapped up. “Why would I tell you that? Just drink your coffee.”
His smile faltered. “Ouch. That the payback for saving your life?”
Guilt slid in like cold water under a door. “...Sorry. I didn’t ask you to save me,” you muttered.
He chuckled softly. “No, you didn’t. But I couldn’t let a pretty girl die in front of me. Also… I was supposed to be on a date today, but the girl didn’t show up.”
Your chest tightened. The way he spoke—it reminded you so much of Bryan.
“Anyway,” he continued lightly, “it was better this way. I got to meet you.”
That did it. You stood up abruptly. You dropped some bills on the table without looking.
“I’m leaving.”
You walked fast, almost running. Behind you, he cursed softly and scrambled after you.
“Hey—wait! Did I say something wrong? I’m sorry!”
You ignored him, but he kept following.
“Slow down! You’re running like a rabbit. At least let me walk you home—”
You stopped. The emotions inside you reached a breaking point. Hera’s words echoed in your mind.
“You need to move on… Bryan wouldn’t want you to stay stuck forever.” Then it hit you.
Hera’s phone. The picture she was trying to show you. The date she arranged for today. It was him. Arven.
And the girl who stood him up… was you.
You turned around slowly. He was walking away now, shoulders slumped.
“W–wait… Arven.”
He stopped. He didn’t look surprised you knew his name.
“Was it you?” he asked softly. “The one who stood me up?”
There was no anger. Just gentle amusement and understanding,
You nodded, looking down at your feet.
“Do… do I have to make up for that too?” your voice came out small, almost shy.
He stepped closer, a slow, warm smile spreading on his lips.
“Of course you do. How about next Friday?”