Esmeralda arrived at the garden to find Ezra seated in quiet contemplation, his gaze fixed on the swans gracefully gliding across the pond.
"Hi," Esmeralda said as she approached him, drawing him out of his thoughts.
"Hey," he replied, his eyes meeting hers. He stood up as she got closer.
She sat down, and he joined her on the bench. There was a brief silence as both of them felt nervous, unable to meet each other's gaze.
Finally, Ezra broke the silence with a comment, "The weather is nice today."
"It is," Esmeralda replied with a smile.
"So, today is the day. How do you feel?" Ezra asked.
"Nervous, very, very nervous," Esmeralda admitted, swallowing anxiously as she looked into his eyes. Her tension was evident.
"I'm here for you. You're not alone in this, happy birthday E.” Ezra
