Elijah stepped out of the station and took a slow breath.
"Finally… after a long journey," he murmured, looking around, "I'm back in Talia… the city of love."
A faint smile crossed his face.
Without wasting time, he visited his relatives, exchanged quick greetings—and then hurried toward Layla's house.
He knocked.
Footsteps echoed from inside.
Fast.
Rushing.
Layla came down the stairs almost running. She already knew.
It was him.
She opened the door—
—and without a second thought, wrapped her arms tightly around him.
For a moment, Elijah froze.
Then slowly… he smiled.
"You came all this way," she said quickly, still holding him, "you need to come inside and rest."
Elijah let out a quiet breath.
"My tiredness disappeared the moment you hugged me."
Layla pulled back slightly, giving him a look.
"Shut up… and come inside."
But there was a small smile she couldn't hide.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him in.
Inside, everything felt familiar.
Warm.
Alive.
Elijah greeted her parents, who welcomed him like always—with ease, with comfort, like he belonged there.
After a while, the two of them went to Layla's room.
The window was open, letting in the soft evening air.
They sat down, talking about small things… and then, as always—
the festival.
"Elijah," Layla said, leaning slightly forward, "we're going to the fair tomorrow, right?"
He smiled. "Of course."
"I wait for it every year," she said softly, "just so we can enjoy it together."
Elijah didn't reply immediately.
He just looked at her for a moment—
then nodded.
The Next Evening
The fair was glowing with life.
Lights stretched endlessly, laughter filled the air, and music echoed in every direction.
As Elijah and Layla stepped in—
the past returned all at once.
Memories layered over the present.
Layla looked around, her eyes shining slightly.
"Why is it always this beautiful?" she asked.
Elijah glanced at her.
And almost smiled.
"Because you're always here," he whispered quietly—
so softly that she didn't hear.
They moved through the fair like they always had.
Stopping at shops.
Playing small games.
Sharing food.
Nothing had changed.
And yet—
everything had.
At one point, Layla walked ahead, distracted by something in the distance.
Elijah's eyes drifted to a nearby stall.
Something caught his attention.
"Layla—wait."
He reached out and gently held her hand.
She turned, a little surprised.
"What happened?"
"Come here."
He led her to the stall.
There, resting under soft light, was a delicate pendant.
Simple.
But beautiful.
"Look at this," Elijah said quietly. "It's… perfect."
Layla leaned in slightly.
"It is beautiful," she said.
Elijah picked it up, his fingers careful.
"It would look even better on you."
Before she could respond—
he had already bought it.
He stepped closer.
For a moment, Layla didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Elijah gently placed the pendant around her neck.
His fingers brushed lightly against her skin—
just for a second.
But it was enough.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
Layla looked down at it.
Then back at him.
A soft smile appeared.
"I love it."
And for some reason—
that felt like enough.
Later That Night
The fair ended, but neither of them wanted to go inside just yet.
They sat on the lawn outside Layla's house.
The night was calm.
Quiet.
The kind of silence that didn't feel empty.
Layla leaned back slightly, her head resting close to his shoulder.
"Elijah…"
"Hmm?"
"This time… I'm not letting you go so easily."
He turned slightly toward her.
"You have to stay," she continued. "At least for a week. You have vacation… so don't say no."
Elijah smiled faintly.
"You don't have to request," he said softly. "You just have to say it."
Layla sat up instantly.
"Really?"
There was a sudden spark in her eyes.
Without thinking, she stood up and began spinning lightly on the grass, laughing.
"Then you're staying!"
She extended her hand toward him.
"Come on."
Elijah hesitated for a moment.
Then… he took her hand.
They began to move slowly, almost playfully—no music, no rhythm.
Just them.
And the quiet night.
Above them, the full moon shone softly.
Silver light fell across the lawn.
Across her face.
Elijah watched her.
Really watched her.
The way she smiled.
The way she moved.
The way she looked… under that light.
She's beautiful.
The thought came naturally.
But this time—
it stayed.
His heart started beating faster.
The moment felt different.
Deeper.
What if I tell her right now?
The thought appeared suddenly.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
What would she say?
Would she smile…?
Or would everything change?
His grip tightened slightly.
Then loosened.
No…
He looked away for a second.
Not like this.
"I don't want to ruin this moment," he thought quietly.
Layla laughed softly, pulling him slightly as they moved.
"Why are you so quiet?" she asked.
"Nothing," he replied.
But inside—
everything was moving.
I don't know when I'll have the courage…
And under the moonlight—
they kept dancing.
Day 1
Elijah wakes up in Talia knowing something is different.
For the first time—
he's not counting days until he leaves.
Layla arrives early, without knocking properly.
"Get up," she says, pulling the curtain open.
"You said you're staying. So no wasting time."
They don't go anywhere special.
Just walk.
Talk.
Laugh.
But there's a quiet comfort now… like they don't need the festival as an excuse anymore.
Day 2
Elijah visits Layla's house again.
Her parents treat him like family:
Her mother asks if he's eating properly
Her father jokes with him casually
Layla rolls her eyes.
"You've officially replaced me."
Elijah smirks. "I always knew I was the favorite."
She lightly pushes him.
Small moments.
But real.
Day 3
They sit on the rooftop in the evening.
No fair.
No noise.
Just the sky.
Layla talks about random things.
Elijah listens.
At one point—
they both go quiet.
Not awkward.
Just… quiet.
And neither of them tries to break it.
Day 4
It starts raining unexpectedly.
They get caught outside.
Layla laughs, spinning slightly in the rain.
"Run!" she says—but doesn't actually run.
Elijah follows anyway.
They end up under a small shelter, close to each other.
Water dripping.
Breath visible.
For a second—
they're aware of the distance.
Or how little of it exists.
But then—
Layla starts laughing again.
And the moment passes.
Day 5
They visit a small market.
Layla picks up random things, showing them to Elijah.
"This looks like you."
"That makes no sense."
"It does."
They argue over nothing.
But neither of them walks away.
Day 6
That night, they sit on the lawn again.
The same place as before.
The same silence.
But heavier.
Layla lies on the grass, looking at the sky.
"Elijah…"
"Hmm?"
"Do you ever feel like… things are changing?"
He pauses.
Just for a second.
"…Maybe."
She turns her head slightly toward him.
But before anything else is said—
her phone rings from inside.
She gets up.
"I'll be back."
Elijah watches her go.
The words were there again.
So close.
But not spoken.
Day 7
The week ends faster than expected.
It always does.
Elijah stands outside, ready to leave.
Layla stands in front of him.
Neither of them speaks immediately.
"You're going again," she says quietly.
"Yeah."
A pause.
"You'll come next year?"
Elijah nods.
"Of course."
She looks at him for a moment longer.
As if she wants to say something.
But doesn't.
"Okay," she says finally, forcing a small smile.
This time—
no hug.
No dramatic goodbye.
Just something… quieter.
As Elijah turns to leave—
he feels it again.
That weight in his chest.
Not regret.
Not exactly.
Just the feeling that—
something important was left behind.