Longing can be intense, like an old umbrella suddenly being opened under the heavy and cold shower, struggling not to burst and give in under the pressure of the raindrops, which, though expected, came as a surprise.

Waiting can be even more intense, three years, seven months, accumulated time suddenly compressed into just a few hours, ticking away, fast, way too fast.

And then the headlights, late in the night. On the road to encounter.

Is this really happening? Will it happen? The end of a dream, the beginning of reality?

So many thoughts running through your head, heart pumping faster and wilder than it can handle, and then, through a buzz of text and voice messages, a realization: Things will not change, the car is turning around. Headlights are facing in another direction. Going back home.

Tears? Not now. Plenty of time for it later. A clear head is needed, because all you want is for your encounter to get back home. Safe and alive.

Where things will get back to how they used to be.

Secured in the cradle of the past.

BJ