The Unsent Message

Lila's finger lingered over the submit button as she fixed her gaze on her phone. "I miss you" was all that was needed to convey the weight of her past and the uncertainty of her future. It was only three simple words.

With a sigh, she released her finger, leaving the words unspoken. After four years together, she and Mark had a clean break that lasted for two years. They had become friends during their late-night study sessions and mutual appreciation of obscure indie flicks while attending college. But as the years went by, their trajectories became less aligned. She had stayed in Chicago to complete her master's degree, while he had relocated to New York for a position at a startup. They'd grown apart, and at some point they'd decided to part ways.

Lila had buried herself in her studies, attempting to hide behind stacks of books and research papers the hurt of their breakup. Even though she had resumed dating, no one had ever made her feel as she felt about Mark. She felt that there was something unresolved between them, an unfulfilled sense of unfinished business.

That evening, Lila found herself going through old pictures on her phone while the city buzzed outside the window of her flat. There they were, wrapped up in each other on lazy Sunday mornings, grinning on a beach in the Bahamas, laughing at a friend's wedding. A nostalgic ache tore at her heart.

She whispered to herself, "Enough," before locking her phone and throwing it on the couch. She had to get her mind straight. She picked up her coat and went for a stroll. She would benefit from the cool night air.

The familiar streets of her neighborhood seemed to beckon her as she strolled past memories of Mark. She went by the park where they'd enjoyed a picnic on a sunny afternoon, the coffee shop where they'd gone on their first date, and the bookshop where they used to spend hours perusing. Every location served as a reminder of their shared history and her losses.

She found herself at the riverfront bridge, its lights creating a brilliant display as they reflected off the water. This area has served as her gathering place for reflection and emotional processing. It seemed very poignant tonight.

Lila leaned against the railing, allowing the cool air to reveal her breath. Trying to make sense of the feelings whirling inside of her, she closed her eyes and allowed the memories to wash over her. Why this time? Why did she still feel such a strong attraction toward Mark after all this time?

"Hey," a voice called out to her.

She looked over and saw a man with his hands tucked into his pockets standing a few feet away. There was something familiar about him, despite his height and dark hair.

"Mark?" she exclaimed.

"Lila," he uttered as a gentle grin stretched across his features. "I didn't hope to see you here."

With her thoughts rushing, she stumbled, "I...I was just taking a walk," "What are you doing here?"

"I'm in town for a conference," he clarified. “I came here looking for some fresh air.. Wasn't this where you were always going to be?

She felt a knot rise in her throat as she nodded. How had they both come up here tonight, out of all the places in the city?

He approached and said, "How are you?"

"Well," she said. "Very busy at work and in general. You?"

"Identical," he declared. "New York City is fantastic, but it's stressful. Sometimes I long for Chicago."

For a few periods, they stood there, the weight of their words remaining unsaid between them. At last, Mark broke the quiet.

"I've thought of you a lot," she said."I wasn't sure if it was worth reaching out to, but I wanted to."

Lila felt her heart skip a beat. "Me too," she muttered. "Tonight, I even had a message written. I simply was unable to send it.

"What did it say?" he inquired, peering into her eyes.

"I'm missing you," she said.

Mark grinned more and moved in closer, bringing the two of them closer together. Adding, "I miss you too," he remarked. "Every day."

Lila felt tears fill up in her eyes as the dam cracked. Now that Mark was in front of her, everything that she had been holding onto suddenly came tumbling out.

She was speaking with a trembling voice. "Why had we allowed each other to go?"

"I really don't know," he said. "Perhaps we required time to develop independently. But as I stand here now, Lila, I see that I have always loved you. I did not give up."

Both fear and hope filled her heart. She said, "What do we do now?"

He extended his hand to grab hers and said, "Let's start over." Step by step, please. We can solve it together ."

Lila had not felt possibility in a long time, but as she looked at him, the man she had loved and lost, she sensed it. She squeezed his hand and nodded.

"All right," she replied. "Together."

Lila felt at ease as they stood on the bridge, the warm glow of the city lights enveloping them. Though the future held uncertainty, she felt prepared to face it with Mark for the first time in a long time. Now that she had spoken the message she had been struggling to express, they had found each other again.

Thus, they embarked on a new journey together, with the city serving as their witness.