Maya by Yelizaveta Horbachova

The sun was going down,

making long shadows on the street. Maya leaned on the balcony, smelling the sweet flowers. Down below, Julio was drawing in his old notebook, thinking hard. Their love wasn't a big surprise, but grew slowly, like a plant climbing a wall. It was in the quiet times they had drinking coffee, in how Julio knew when Maya needed a hug, and in Maya always believing in Julio`s art, even when he didn't.

But today, something felt different. Julio was very quiet. 

Maya spoke softly. "What are you drawing?"

Julio looked up and smiled a little. "Just the light on the water."

"It's pretty," Maya said, even though she hadn't seen it. She walked down the stairs.

She sat next to him on the bench. He didn't show her the drawing, and it was quiet again, but in a sad way.

"Something's wrong," Maya said gently, putting her hand on his.

Julio sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I got a call today. From a place that shows art. They... they liked what I made."

Maya felt happy. "Julio, that's great!"

But he still looked sad. "They want me to come visit. Next week. Maybe show my art there."

"So?" Maya asked, not understanding.

"So... it's far, Maya. It's a big trip. What if they don't like my other things? What if it's a waste of time?" He sounded worried, like he often did.

Maya held his face in her hands and looked right at him. "Julio, you are a good artist. This is a chance. A way for people to see what I see every day."

He leaned into her hands, feeling a little better. "But... leaving you..."

"We'll be okay," Maya said, her voice steady and kind. "Being apart for a few days will make coming home even better."

He looked into her eyes and saw how much she believed in him. It wasn't just liking his art; it was really believing in him. It was a love that helped his dreams grow as much as it loved him.

He finally smiled, a real, happy smile. "You're right," he said, taking her hand and kissing it. "Like always."

The orange light became soft and yellow. The flower smell was still in the air, mixed with the quiet feeling between them – a familiar, nice feeling of love and support.