Before He Forgot Me Again

CHAPTER THREE

Learning to Live

Weeks passed.

Adrian's memories didn't return.

But life slowly became normal.

He helped Elena around the apartment.

He learned how to cook.

He learned how to take the bus.

He learned that Elena hated mornings.

He learned that she loved old romantic movies.

He learned that she secretly cried whenever she was overwhelmed.

And Elena learned things about him too.

He was intelligent.

Protective.

Sometimes annoyingly stubborn.

And strangely gentle.

One afternoon, Elena returned from work and found Adrian standing in the kitchen.

"What are you doing?"

"Cooking."

She looked at the smoke filling the room.

"You're burning the food."

"I know."

"Then why are you still cooking?"

"I'm learning."

Elena burst out laughing.

Adrian stared at her.

"What?"

"You look ridiculous."

"You could help."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because watching you fail is entertaining."

He smiled.

"You enjoy making fun of me."

"Very much."

He stepped closer.

"So you enjoy having me here?"

Elena's smile faded slightly.

Their eyes met.

For a second, neither spoke.

Then she looked away.

"Don't read too much into it."

Adrian smiled.

"Too late."

Months passed.

Adrian began working at a small repair shop nearby.

He didn't know what his old life had been.

But he discovered he liked working with his hands.

He liked earning his own money.

He liked coming home to Elena.

And slowly...

He stopped wanting his old memories back.

One evening, they sat on the roof of the apartment building.

The city lights glittered below them.

"Do you ever wonder who you were?" Elena asked.

"Sometimes."

"And?"

He looked at her.

"I think I'm happier not knowing."

Elena's heart skipped.

"Why?"

"Because whoever I was before..."

He paused.

"...I wasn't with you."

She looked away.

"Adrian." "I mean it."

The wind moved through her hair.

He reached out and gently tucked a strand behind her ear.

Elena's breath caught.

Neither moved.

Then Adrian whispered:

"Can I kiss you?"

She nodded.

Their lips met.

It was soft.

Careful. Almost uncertain.

But when they pulled apart, Elena knew.

She had fallen in love with him.

And Adrian had fallen in love with her.