The days grew warmer, and with them grew something new between Hannah and David. They spent more time together. Sometimes he helped her in the garden, other times he sat with her by the fire in the evenings. Their laughter began to sound like music in the quiet village nights.
For David, every moment with Hannah felt special. She was gentle and soft-spoken, but also full of quiet strength. He admired how she worked tirelessly, never complaining, even when she was exhausted. Her smile, rare but true, touched something deep inside him.
Hannah, too, felt her heart slowly changing. She had never expected someone like David to notice her. He treated her with kindness, respect, and patience. Around him, the heavy weight in her chest felt lighter. For the first time in many years, she allowed herself to dream—not only of surviving but of being happy.
But in the village, nothing stayed secret for long. People began to notice. Whispers started.
"Have you seen the way the city boy looks at Hannah?" one woman said.
"She is just a poor girl. What could he possibly see in her?" another answered.
The gossip spread like fire. Some laughed, some shook their heads, and others sneered. In a place where Hannah was often ignored or mocked, the idea that a man like David could care for her was hard for people to accept.
Hannah heard the whispers. At first, she tried to ignore them, but the words cut deep. They reminded her of who she was in the eyes of others—just a poor, lonely girl who had nothing. Doubt grew in her heart. Could this be real? Or was it only a dream waiting to break?
One night, as she sat by her fire, David joined her as usual. He saw the sadness in her eyes.
"What's wrong, Hannah?" he asked gently.
She shook her head. "People talk. They laugh at me. They say you don't belong here. That… I don't deserve you." Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
David leaned closer, his eyes firm but kind. "Let them talk. I don't care what they say. I know what I feel, and I know who you are. You are stronger than anyone I've ever met, Hannah. Don't let their words take that away from you."
Hannah looked at him, her heart racing. For the first time in her life, someone saw her worth. Someone believed in her.
Still, deep inside, she feared the world was too cruel to let her keep this happiness. She had lived too long with loss and pain to fully trust hope. But as she looked into David's eyes, part of her began to believe… maybe this time, things could be different.
The days passed, and David found more and more reasons to see Hannah. Sometimes he helped her fetch water, other times he carried firewood, or simply sat with her in the evenings. Each day, his admiration for her grew deeper.
Hannah, though shy, felt her heart slowly opening. She enjoyed his company. She liked how he listened to her, how he treated her with respect. With David, she felt safe—something she had not felt in many years.
But the whispers in the village also grew. People laughed, some mocked, and others warned David to stay away from the poor girl. Hannah heard these words, and sometimes she feared that they would break whatever was forming between them.
One evening, David walked to Hannah's hut. The sky was painted with the colors of sunset, soft orange and gold. Hannah was sitting near her small fire, her hands resting on her lap.
"May I sit?" David asked.
She nodded, her eyes watching the flames. For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then David took a deep breath.
"Hannah," he said, his voice steady but gentle. "There's something I must tell you."
She turned to him, surprised by his serious tone.
"What is it?" she asked quietly.
David looked into her eyes. "Since the day I met you, something changed in me. I saw your strength, your kindness, your beauty… and I couldn't stop thinking about you. Hannah, I… I love you."
The words fell heavy into the night air. Hannah's heart raced. Her breath caught. For a moment, she couldn't speak. No one had ever said those words to her—not like this, not with such honesty.
She lowered her gaze, afraid of the feelings rising inside her. "David… I don't know what to say. My life has been nothing but struggle. I have nothing to give you."
David shook his head. "You don't need to give me anything. I don't want riches or gifts. I just want you, Hannah. Your heart, your smile, your strength. That's enough for me."
A tear slipped down Hannah's cheek. She tried to hide it, but David saw. He reached out gently and touched her hand.
"Don't cry," he whispered. "I mean every word. You are not alone anymore. Not if you'll let me be by your side."
Hannah looked at him, her heart trembling between fear and hope. No one had ever chosen her before. Could she believe this? Could she trust it?
The fire crackled softly. Above them, the first stars appeared. And for the first time in many years, Hannah felt her heart beating not just for survival, but for love.
David had just spoken his heart, and Hannah's chest felt heavy. The words, though beautiful, made her tremble inside.
"David…" she began slowly, her voice shaking, "I… I don't know if this can work."
David's eyes searched hers. "What do you mean?" he asked gently.
Hannah looked down, her fingers twisting in her lap. "You… you are not from here. You came for the water project, and soon… soon you will go back to the city. I don't want to fall in love only to lose you. My life is hard, and I can't bear more pain. I…" She swallowed hard, fighting the tears, "…I don't think we can be… lovers."
David's face softened. He took her hand carefully. "Hannah… I understand your fear. I know I came from outside, and yes, the project will not last forever. But feelings are not tied to places or time. I care for you, and I am willing to stay—long enough for us to see if this can grow. I am not here for just a project. I am here because of you."
Hannah shook her head slowly, tears forming in her eyes. "It's not that simple. You don't know what life has been like for me. People leave. People hurt me. People… just go. I can't let myself believe this."
David's hand covered hers, warm and steady. "Then let me stay a little longer. Let me show you that my words are real. I don't want to hurt you, Hannah. I want to be here for you, even if it's only for now."
Hannah looked into his eyes. There was sincerity there, a promise she had never seen before. But fear still gripped her heart. Could she trust him? Could she allow herself to feel something so new, after years of pain and loneliness?
The fire crackled between them, the night sky above filled with stars. Hannah's heart whispered a fragile hope, while her mind reminded her of the risk. She wanted to believe… but she was afraid.
"I… I need time," she whispered at last, "I can't… I can't say yes yet."
David nodded slowly, understanding. "Take all the time you need, Hannah. I will wait. I promise."
And so, under the quiet night sky, a fragile understanding began. Hannah's heart had felt the stirrings of love, but the fear of losing him made her hold back. David's words had reached her, but the road ahead was uncertain, full of questions and challenges.
"Hannah… it's getting late," he said gently. "You should rest. Sleep is important, and you need your strength for tomorrow."
Hannah nodded silently, feeling her chest tighten. She did not want him to leave, yet she knew he was right.
"I… I will," she whispered softly.
David smiled warmly. "Good. Rest well.
After saying goodbye, David walked back to the guest house, which was far from Hannah's hut. It was simple and quiet, giving him space to rest and think. He looked back one last time, wishing he could stay longer, but he knew that for now, he had to give her space.
Hannah watched him disappear in the distance, her chest feeling heavy and her heart aching. Slowly, she returned to her tiny hut. She sank onto the cold floor, the small fire flickering weakly in the corner, casting long shadows on the walls.
Her mind was full of thoughts and questions. "Did he really mean what he said? Or were those just words?. How can I trust him so easy?"
She lay down on her thin mat, pulling her worn blanket over herself. Sleep did not come easily. Every memory of David—the way he smiled, the gentleness in his eyes, the kindness of his voice—kept returning. Her heart felt warm and heavy at the same time.
Even though she knew he was not very far from the village , the distance made her feel both comforted and alone. He is close, but not here… she whispered, her eyes closing briefly. Her mind raced with questions: Could she trust him?, What did this feeling truly mean?
Hours passed. Outside, the wind whispered through the trees. Inside, Hannah remained awake, her heart full of hope, fear, and longing. Finally, exhaustion overtook her, and she drifted into a restless sleep, dreams filled with David's smile and the uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring.
The next morning, Hannah woke with a restless heart. Even though the night had passed, her thoughts were still full of David. She poured water, tended her small garden, and tried to focus on the work, but her mind kept wandering.
Later, she saw David near the village well, checking the pipes. Her heart pounded as she approached him.
"David…" she called softly.
He turned and smiled when he saw her. "Good morning, Hannah. Did you sleep well?"
She nodded, her throat tight. "I… I have a question," she said carefully. "This water project… when will it finish? How long will you be here?"
David paused, then answered gently, "The project will finish after three months. After that, I will have to return to my city home. But while I am here, I want to make the most of our time together."
Hannah's chest tightened. The thought of him leaving again made her heart ache. She looked down, twisting her hands nervously. "So… after three months, you will go back?"
David nodded, his eyes kind and sincere. "Yes, Hannah. But I want you to know that my feelings for you don't depend on the project. I care about you, and we will figure things out together."
Hannah swallowed hard, trying to fight back the worry in her heart. Three months… it could feel like forever, or like nothing at all, she thought. Yet seeing David's honest eyes gave her a small comfort.
She smiled faintly. "I… I just wanted to know. Thank you for being honest."
David reached out and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Always, Hannah. Always."
As they walked slowly toward the village, Hannah's mind was full of hope and fear. She wanted to trust him, to believe that these three months could bring something real. But the question of time, of the project ending, lingered in her heart like a shadow she could not shake.