Chapter 2 – A Perfect Beginning

Days passed after that strange night. I thought I would never see him again, but I was wrong. One afternoon, while buying some groceries, I heard a familiar voice behind me. “Anna, remember me?” I turned around. It was Victor. He was smiling warmly, holding a small basket in his hand. “Looks like fate didn’t want us to be strangers,” he said. I smiled politely, “Seems like it.” Something in his eyes felt friendly, and yet, I didn’t know why my heart skipped a beat.

After that day, he started appearing more often. I saw him at the library, at the small café near my street, and sometimes at the post office. Every time, he greeted me with the same kindness. He said, “You always look calm, Anna. Most people look rushed, but not you.” I laughed softly. “Maybe I’ve learned to slow down.” He nodded and said, “That’s a gift. You don’t find peace easily in this world.”

Our talks grew longer. Sometimes he told me about his past. He said his parents died when he was young. He said he had moved from city to city, searching for a place that felt like home. I felt sorry for him. I knew how silence could hurt. “That must have been hard,” I said once. He looked away and whispered, “You get used to being alone. But sometimes, you still hope someone will stay.” His words touched me deeply. I could feel the sadness behind his smile.

A few weeks later, he asked if we could have lunch together. I agreed. He brought homemade food, and we ate near the porch. We talked about simple things — books, memories, and family. When I laughed, he said, “You should laugh more. It changes the air around you.” I said, “Maybe I forgot how.” He looked at me gently. “Then let me remind you.” I didn’t know why, but those words stayed inside me for days.

Slowly, people in the neighborhood started noticing. My friend Lisa said, “Be careful, Anna. You don’t know much about him.” I smiled and said, “I know enough. He’s kind.” Lisa sighed. “Kindness can hide many things.” I didn’t take it seriously. I believed in what I saw. Victor seemed honest. He always listened when I spoke, and he often said things that made me feel understood.

One evening, while we were having tea, he said something unexpected. “You know, Anna, this house feels like it belongs to both of us already.” I laughed. “It’s too soon to say that.” He smiled softly. “Maybe. But it already feels that way to me.” I didn’t understand the deeper meaning in his words then. I just felt happy that someone finally wanted to share life with me.

Months passed, and our bond grew stronger. He helped me fix broken things around the house. He cooked sometimes. He told me stories that made me smile. Once, I fell sick with a fever, and he brought soup and medicine. He stayed until I slept. When I woke up, he was gone, but a note lay near my bed. It said, “Don’t worry. I’ll always be here for you.” That simple note made my eyes wet. It had been years since someone had cared like that.

One evening, when the sun was low, he came holding a small box. He looked nervous. “Anna,” he said, “I don’t have much, but I have a heart that loves you. Will you marry me?” I froze. I didn’t expect it so soon. I asked quietly, “Are you sure?” He nodded. “You make me feel complete. You make me want to stop running.” My heart softened. I had waited a long time to hear words like these. I said, “Yes, Victor. I will.” His face lit up, and for a moment, I thought I had finally found peace.

The wedding was small. Only a few friends came. Lisa hugged me and whispered, “I hope he’s truly what he seems.” I smiled and said, “He is. I can feel it.” Victor held my hand and said, “I will protect you. I will protect this home.” I didn’t notice the way he looked at the house when he said it. His eyes stayed on the walls a little too long.

After the wedding, life felt perfect. He cooked breakfast, brought me flowers, and often said sweet things. “You deserve every good thing,” he told me often. I began to depend on his presence. I thought maybe my loneliness was finally ending. But some nights, I saw him awake, lost in thought. When I asked what he was thinking, he said, “Just planning our future.” I didn’t ask more. I didn’t want to ruin the calm I finally had.

One night, when we were having dinner, he said something strange. “Anna, you should change the house papers. It will be easier to manage things together.” I looked at him in surprise. “Why? It’s already fine.” He smiled and said, “It’s just a small thing. What’s mine is yours, and what’s yours should be mine. That’s what love is, right?” His words sounded beautiful, but something inside me felt tight. I ignored that feeling. I told myself it was just fear from my old lonely life.

He reached across the table, held my hand, and said softly, “Trust me, Anna. I only want us to be one.” I looked into his eyes and said, “I do trust you.” And I meant it. I didn’t know that the first lie had already begun behind that calm smile.

That night, when I went to bed, I told myself life had finally given me peace. I had no idea that peace was just silence before a storm.