Luisa
Arthur's travel day arrived faster than I would have liked. I woke before the alarm, with that strange feeling that something was changing, even without knowing exactly what. I lay there for a few minutes watching the still-dark room, listening to his breathing beside me. Arthur was sleeping deeply, as if the world were on pause while he rested.
I got up slowly and went to the kitchen to make coffee. The motions were the same as always, but they felt heavier with care, as if I wanted to hold on to every detail of that morning. When the coffee was ready, I went back to the bedroom.
"Arthur, my love," I called softly.
He stirred and opened his eyes, still drowsy. "Is it time already?" he asked.
"Unfortunately."
He sighed and sat up, running a hand over his face. "I hate traveling," he said, his voice rough with sleep. "Especially when I have to leave like this."
I sat down beside him. "It'll be quick," I said. "And you promised to call."
"I'll definitely call," he assured me, smiling sleepily. "Lots of times," he said, pulling me into his arms.
We had coffee together in silence for a few minutes, as if neither of us wanted to break that moment. Then Arthur went to get ready while I set some things aside for him to take. Ties, shirts, the watch he always wore to important meetings.
"You don't have to do that," he said, watching me fold a shirt.
"I know," I answered. "But I like to."
He came over and hugged me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. "I'll be back soon," he said.
"I know," I said, turning to face him.
"When I get back, we're going to Switzerland. We'll stay at that hotel you loved, we'll ski in the snow and drink hot chocolate by the fireplace," he said with a smile, kissing my forehead.
The drive to the airport was calm. We talked about ordinary things — the contract, what I'd do while he was gone. By the time we parked, the place was already busy. People coming and going, hurried farewells, quick embraces.
Arthur grabbed his suitcase from the trunk and looked at me for a few seconds before speaking. "Don't stay up late," he said.
"Don't make promises I can't keep," I replied, smiling.
He laughed and cupped my face in both hands.
"I love you. Don't you ever forget that. That's an order," he said, serious.
"I love you too," I answered with a smile.
We kissed right there, unhurried, as if time had slowed to give us that last moment — the kiss long and passionate, proof of the love we had for each other. Then he pulled away and walked toward the airport entrance. I stood there until I lost sight of him.
I drove home feeling the silence press down heavier than usual. The house seemed too big without him. I spent the day trying to keep busy — organizing things, answering messages, watching television without really paying attention. The clock seemed to move slowly.
In the evening, I made something simple for dinner and ate alone at the kitchen table. When I finished, I washed the dishes and settled on the couch, hugging a throw pillow. My phone sat beside me, and I glanced at it every so often, waiting. He called just after nine.
I picked up on the first ring. "Hi, my love," I said, already wearing a silly smile, like a teenager talking to her first boyfriend.
"Hi, love." His voice came through the line, a little tired but still steady. "I just got to the hotel."
"Did the trip go okay?"
"It did. Tiring, but smooth. And you?"
"I missed you all day," I admitted. "The house is empty without you."
He gave a quiet laugh. "Me too. The room is huge and completely dull."
"Of course it is. You're alone," I shot back, laughing softly.
"Exactly."
"The house is colder without you. It feels bigger and totally empty."
He laughed. "Then we need to work on that — we need little ones to fill this empty house," he said, laughing.
I laughed even more. "I'll think about it." I got up and walked around the living room while we talked. "Have you eaten?" I asked.
"Not yet. I think I'll order something to the room."
"Don't skip your meal," I warned.
"Look at her bossing me around from a distance."
"Someone has to."
I heard him smile through the phone. "Tell me about your day," he said.
I told him about the quiet house, the simple dinner, how everything felt a little off without him. Arthur told me about the flight, the meeting scheduled for the next day, the hotel.
"I wish you were here," he said, out of nowhere.
My heart tightened. "Me too."
There was a brief silence — comfortable. "When I get back..." he began, "we're going to take those days off I promised."
"A husband promise?" I asked.
"A husband promise!" he confirmed.
I smiled to myself. "Then I'm holding you to it."
"I hope you do."
We went a few seconds without speaking, just listening to each other breathe.
"Lu..." he called.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for being who you are."
I swallowed hard. "Thank you for choosing me every day," I answered.
"I always will."
After a few more minutes of conversation, he said he needed to rest.
"Call me tomorrow," I said.
"Before you even have your coffee," he promised.
"Good night. I love you."
"Good night, my love. I love you too."
I hung up and stared at my phone for a few seconds before setting it aside. I turned off the lights and went to the bedroom. The bed seemed too big without him. I lay down on my side and hugged his pillow, breathing in the familiar scent. I closed my eyes and tried to push away that strange feeling in my chest. It was just a short trip. Nothing could go wrong. I repeated that to myself until sleep finally came.
That night, I dreamed of airports, long corridors, and distant voices. I woke a few times, but always fell back asleep, holding on to the idea that in a few days everything would be back to normal. Because in that moment, I still believed the love we had was enough to cross any distance. And that some goodbyes were only temporary. Or at least that was what I wanted to believe.
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