Emily's Swiss journey

celebration

The day of Rodrigo's birthday arrived, and Emily and Hannah, dressed casually but stylishly, made their way to the celebration together. The air was crisp, the kind of evening where you could feel the beginnings of winter creeping in, but their spirits were warm with excitement.

As they reached Rodrigo’s place, the sound of laughter and music spilled out from the open windows. The cozy apartment building was nestled in a quiet street lined with trees, their branches bare as autumn had just passed.

“This must be it,” Hannah said, checking the address Natasha had sent them.

Emily nodded. “Looks like a party in there, all right.”

They rang the doorbell, and almost instantly, the door swung open to reveal Natasha, her face lighting up as she saw them. She was wearing a bright red dress that perfectly matched her cheerful energy.

“You made it!” Natasha exclaimed, pulling them both into a quick hug. “Come in, come in! You’re just in time. Rodrigo’s been asking when you’d get here.”

The two stepped inside, immediately enveloped by the warm, lively atmosphere of the gathering. The apartment was filled with soft yellow lights, giving the space a welcoming glow. A mix of upbeat music played in the background, and the scent of something delicious—spices and roasted meat—wafted from the kitchen.

Rodrigo was standing near a group of people, chatting and laughing, but as soon as he spotted them, he made his way over.

“Emily, Hannah!” he said with a wide grin, his green eyes bright. “Glad you could make it.”

“Happy birthday!” they both said in unison, handing him a small gift they’d picked out together—a bottle of fine wine they’d heard he loved.

Rodrigo took the gift with a warm smile. “Thank you! This is great—I’ll have to open it tonight.”

Natasha nudged him playfully. “See? I told you they’d be thoughtful.”

Rodrigo laughed. “You were right, as always.”

Natasha led them further inside, introducing them to a mix of friends and classmates from all over the world. The room buzzed with different accents and languages, and Emily felt a thrill at being part of such a vibrant crowd.

“Help yourselves to food and drinks,” Natasha said, pointing to a table filled with snacks, desserts, and a pitcher of sangria. “And save some energy for dancing later!”

“Dancing?” Hannah said, raising an eyebrow at Emily with a playful smirk. “I knew it.”

Emily laughed. “I’m not sure how good I’ll be, but why not?”

As the evening unfolded, Emily found herself enjoying every moment. She chatted with new people, tasted delicious food, and even joined in on a round of group dancing that Rodrigo led with ease and confidence. For a moment, as she spun around to the rhythm of the music, Emily realized how far she’d come from the shy girl who had arrived in Switzerland just months ago.

It was a night filled with laughter, connection, and the kind of joy that comes from being surrounded by good company. As Emily and Hannah shared a knowing glance during one of the livelier dance numbers, they both silently agreed—this was a night to remember.

As the party was in full swing, Hannah's gaze swept across the room. She suddenly froze, her eyes locking onto a familiar face on the other side. A mix of emotions welled up inside her—curiosity, excitement, and a touch of anxiety. Was it really him? Or was her mind playing tricks on her?

Without a word, she began weaving her way through the crowd.

"Where are you going?" Emily called after her, but Hannah didn’t respond. The music was too loud.

Standing a few feet behind the man, her heart raced as she hesitated. What if it’s not him? Or worse, what if it is him? She bit her lip, gathering her courage, and took a deep breath before reaching out to tap him on the shoulder.

He turned around, his eyes widening in surprise as they locked onto hers.

“Hannah?” he said, his voice filled with shock.

“Edward?” Hannah gasped, a mix of disbelief and joy flooding her face. “Oh, it’s you!”

For a moment, the noise and chaos of the party faded into the background.

“Finally got to see you again,” Edward said, his smile warm but slightly apologetic. “It’s been a while. How are you?”

“I’m good! What about you?” she asked, her voice tinged with excitement.

“I’m good too,” he replied. Then, with a curious tilt of his head, he added, “So, what are you doing here?”

“Rodrigo’s girlfriend invited me to the party, so I came,” she explained. “I guess you and Rodrigo are friends?”

Edward chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, we’re friends. It’s a long story, though. I’ll tell you later.”

Hannah crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, though her tone was lighthearted. “You have a lot to tell me. You disappeared without a word, Edward!”

He looked genuinely apologetic. “I know, I know. I’ve been meaning to explain everything. But I promise, I’ll tell you everything. I owe you that.”

Hannah softened at his earnest tone. She had so many questions—where he’d been, what he’d been up to, why he hadn’t stayed in touch—but for now, she was just relieved to see him again.

“All right,” she said with a small smile. “But you’re not getting off the hook that easily. We’re going to talk.”

“Deal,” Edward said, grinning. “But first, let’s grab a drink or something. I want to hear how you’ve been too.”