Maya woke up with the morning light hitting her face. She had fallen asleep on the floor, surrounded by boxes. Her phone was still in her hand. She looked at the screen. Leo's message was still there.
"I miss you."
She put the phone down and stood up. Her body felt stiff. She needed coffee. She walked to the kitchen and started the machine. While she waited, she looked out the window. The city was already busy. People were going to work, starting their day.
She thought about Leo. Why did he text her? Why now? After two years of nothing.
Her phone buzzed. It was Sarah.
"Can we talk? I'm sorry about last night."
Maya poured her coffee and called her.
"Hey," Sarah said. "I'm really sorry. I should have told you he was coming."
"It's okay," Maya said. She took a sip of coffee. "It was just a surprise."
"Did he talk to you?" Sarah asked.
"Yes. On the balcony. Then he texted me later."
"What did he say?"
Maya paused. "He said he misses me."
Sarah was quiet for a moment. "Wow. What did you say back?"
"Nothing. I didn't reply."
"Are you going to?"
"I don't know, Sarah. It's been two years. Why would he text me that now?"
"People change," Sarah said. "Maybe he regrets what happened."
Maya shook her head even though Sarah couldn't see. "It's not that simple."
"I know," Sarah said. "Just think about it. Don't make a decision too fast."
They talked for a few more minutes then hung up. Maya finished her coffee and looked around at the boxes. She needed to finish packing. But her mind kept going back to Leo.
She remembered their last fight. It was about his work. He was always busy, always stressed. She felt alone. He said she didn't understand the pressure he was under. They both said things they didn't mean. Then he got the job offer in another city. He took it without really talking to her about it. That was the end.
She thought she had moved on. But now, with one text, all those feelings were back.
She picked up her phone and looked at the message again. Her finger hovered over the reply box. What could she say?
She typed "I miss you too" but deleted it.
She typed "Why are you texting me now?" but deleted that too.
Finally, she just typed "Okay" and pressed send before she could change her mind.
She put the phone down and started packing again. But she kept checking her phone. Would he reply? What would he say?
After twenty minutes, her phone buzzed.
"Can I see you?" Leo's message said.
Maya's heart beat faster. She didn't know what to do. Part of her wanted to see him. Part of her was scared.
"Why?" she typed.
"I want to talk. Properly. Not at a party."
Maya thought about it. Maybe it was better to talk face to face. Maybe then she could understand what he wanted.
"Okay," she typed. "When?"
"Today? I'm free all day."
They decided to meet at a coffee shop near her apartment in two hours.
Maya spent the next two hours trying to pack. But she couldn't focus. She changed her clothes three times. She was nervous. Why was she so nervous?
She arrived at the coffee shop early. She got a table in the corner and ordered a coffee. She watched the door.
Then she saw him. He walked in and looked around. When he saw her, he smiled slightly. He looked nervous too.
He walked over and sat down across from her.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi," she said.
There was silence for a moment. Then they both spoke at the same time.
"How have you been?" Leo asked.
"Thanks for coming," Maya said.
They both smiled awkwardly.
"You go first," Leo said.
"I was just saying thanks for coming," Maya said.
"Thanks for agreeing to meet me," Leo said.
The waiter came and Leo ordered a coffee. Then they were alone again.
"You look good," Leo said.
"You too," Maya said.
Another silence. This was harder than Maya thought it would be.
"Why did you text me, Leo?" Maya finally asked. "After all this time."
Leo looked down at his hands. Then he looked up at her. "I've been thinking about you a lot lately. About us. About what happened."
"What about it?" Maya asked.
"I think I made a mistake," he said. "Taking that job and leaving like that. I should have fought for us."
Maya felt something inside her chest. She didn't know what to say.
"Why are you saying this now?" she asked.
"Because I never stopped loving you, Maya," he said. His eyes were serious. "I thought I could move on. But I can't."
Maya looked at him. She saw the truth in his eyes. But she also saw the pain of their past.
"I don't know what to say," she said softly.
"You don't have to say anything," Leo said. "I just wanted you to know."
Their coffee arrived. They drank in silence for a few minutes.
"How's work?" Maya asked, changing the subject.
"It's good," Leo said. "I'm actually back in the city for good. I transferred back last month."
Maya looked at him in surprise. "You're back? For good?"
He nodded. "Yes. I wanted to be closer to... well, to everything."
Maya didn't know what to think. Leo was back in the city. He wanted to see her. He said he never stopped loving her.
It was all happening so fast.
They talked for another hour. About work, about friends, about everything except their relationship. It was easy, like old times. Maya found herself laughing at his jokes. She saw the Leo she fell in love with.
When they finished their coffee, Leo paid and they walked outside.
"Can I see you again?" Leo asked.
Maya looked at him. She felt confused. But she also felt happy.
"Yes," she said. "I'd like that."
Leo smiled. A real, genuine smile this time. "Good. I'll text you."
He turned and walked away. Maya watched him go. Her mind was racing. Her heart was confused.
She started walking home. Her phone buzzed. It was Leo.
"I had a really good time today," the message said.
Maya smiled. She typed back, "Me too."
Maybe this was a second chance. Maybe they could try again.
But was she ready to risk her heart again?
---
Questions for you:
Do you believe in second chances in love? What would you do if your ex told you they never stopped loving you?