The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual. For once, it wasn't because of my leg or someone checking on me. It was because I couldn't stop thinking about Hina.
I had told her I wanted to see her, and now that the day had arrived, I was starting to regret not thinking through what I was going to say.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone.
What am I even supposed to tell her?
We had already talked about our feelings over the phone, but seeing her in person was different. I couldn't hide behind a screen or take my time typing a response. I'd have to look her in the eyes and tell her how I felt.
"You're overthinking it," I muttered to myself.
After getting dressed, I headed downstairs. Ethan was in the kitchen, making breakfast, while Emy sat at the table with a cup of coffee.
"Morning," Ethan said. "Where are you going today?"
"Going to see Hina."
Emy looked up and smiled. "That's nice, sweetheart."
"Yeah," I replied, opening the refrigerator. "I just hope it isn't awkward."
Ethan chuckled. "If it is, you'll survive."
"Thanks for the encouragement."
"Anytime."
After breakfast, I checked my phone and sent Hina a message, letting her know I was ready to meet. She replied that she'd be waiting for me.
A little while later, I arrived at the meeting place we'd agreed on. I spotted her sitting on a bench, looking down at her phone.
For a moment, I just stood there.
It had been weeks since everything happened in Ruidoso. Weeks since I'd last seen her in person. I remembered the floodwaters, the fear, and how everything had changed so quickly. I remembered waking up in the hospital and slowly realizing just how worried everyone had been.
And I remembered Hina.
I took a breath and walked toward her.
"Hey."
She looked up.
For a second, neither of us said anything. Then she stood up, and I noticed the small smile forming on her face.
"Hey, Tony."
I smiled back. "How have you been?"
"I'm doing okay. How about you?"
"Better. My physical therapy is finally over, so I can walk around without everyone treating me like I'm about to break."
She laughed softly. "I'm glad you're getting better."
"Yeah. Me too."
We sat down together, leaving a little space between us. At first, we talked about ordinary things. She asked about my recovery, and I asked how she'd been doing since the flood.
But eventually, the conversation slowed.
We both knew there was something we needed to talk about.
"So," Hina said quietly, looking down at her hands. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yeah."
I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to gather my thoughts.
"I know we already talked about everything over the phone, but I didn't want to leave it like that."
She turned toward me. "Neither did I."
I looked at her, and for once, I decided not to avoid what I was feeling.
"Hina, when everything happened in Ruidoso, I honestly didn't know if I was going to make it. I wasn't thinking about relationships or what would happen afterward. I was just trying to get through it."
She listened without interrupting.
"But when I woke up in the hospital and started thinking about everything, I realized there were things I still wanted to say to you. Things I didn't want to leave unsaid."
Her eyes met mine.
"Like what?"
I took a deep breath.
"That I like you. And not just as a friend."
She looked at me for a moment, and my heart began beating faster.
"I know we've talked about it before," I continued, "but I wanted you to hear it from me in person. I don't want you wondering whether I meant what I said."
Hina smiled, her eyes softening.
"I never doubted that you meant it."
"You didn't?"
She shook her head.
"No. I was just waiting for you to say it again."
I laughed nervously. "Well, there you go. I said it."
She laughed with me, and some of the tension I'd been carrying finally disappeared.
Then she reached for my hand.
"I like you too, Emmanuel. I have for a while."
I looked down at our hands before meeting her eyes again.
"So... what does that mean for us?"
She smiled.
"Maybe we should stop making things complicated and give this a chance."
I couldn't help smiling back.
"Yeah. I'd like that."
For a while, we sat together, talking about what that meant and how we wanted to take things slowly. There was no need to rush into anything. We had time to figure things out together.
And for the first time, I wasn't afraid of what might happen next.
Because whatever happened, it was something we were choosing together.
As the afternoon went on, Hina leaned against my shoulder, and I rested my head lightly against hers.
I thought about how much had changed over the past few months. I'd nearly lost my life, spent weeks recovering, and struggled to get back to the person I used to be.
But maybe I didn't have to become exactly who I was before.
Maybe I could become someone new.
Someone who wasn't afraid to tell people how he felt. Someone who could accept help without feeling weak. Someone who understood that life wasn't something you had to face alone.
And sitting there beside Hina, I realized I wanted to keep learning how to be that person.
"Tony?" she whispered.
"Yeah?"
"I'm really glad you're still here."
I turned toward her.
"Me too, Hina."
She smiled, and I squeezed her hand gently.
For once, I wasn't thinking about the past or worrying about the future. I was simply happy to be there with her. And that was enough.