The first time Emma laid her eyes on Alex was when she was scrolling through a dating app after a long and tiresome day at work. Her finger hovered over his profile picture that showed him holding a guitar, his long hair tousled by the wind. There was something about him that caught her attention. Maybe it was the kind smile on his face, or the twinkle in his hazel eyes. Or maybe it was just a gut feeling that whispered to her that he was the one.
Emma was not particularly fond of dating apps. She found them superficial and fake, full of people who were more interested in a one-night stand than a genuine connection. But that night, she felt different. Maybe it was the wine she had poured for herself, or the fact that she had just turned thirty-five and started to feel the weight of her singlehood. Whatever it was, she swiped right on Alex's profile and waited for a match.
To her surprise, he matched her right away. They started talking that very night, exchanging messages that were flirtatious and witty, yet genuine and honest. Emma felt a spark of attraction that she had never felt before. Alex was not like the men she had dated in the past. He was a musician, a free spirit, a traveler who had backpacked through Europe and South America. He spoke several languages and had a thirst for adventure.
Emma, on the other hand, was a lawyer who worked long hours at a prestigious law firm. She had a stable career, a nice apartment, and a few close friends, but she felt like something was missing in her life. She had never been in a serious relationship, and she had always felt like she was too busy and too focused on her career to give love a chance.
But now, with Alex, she felt like she was getting a second chance. They talked about their favorite movies, their childhood dreams, and their biggest fears. They exchanged pictures of their pets and their families. They even started to call each other by silly nicknames, like "Rockstar" and "Princess". Emma felt like she was falling in love, and she didn't want to stop.
Alex lived in another state, a few hundred miles away, but they decided to face-to-face. It was the first time Emma had felt nervous about a date in years. She had butterflies in her stomach as she picked out her outfit, a casual yet chic dress that she had bought for the occasion. When she met Alex at a café in the city center, her heart skipped a beat.
He was even better-looking in person, with his broad shoulders and his easy smile. He hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek, and the chemistry between them was palpable. They spent the next few hours walking around the city, holding hands and laughing. They went to a park and watched the sunset, talking about silly things and deep things and everything in between. Emma felt like she had known Alex her whole life, like he was the missing piece of the puzzle she had been searching for.
They started seeing each other regularly, taking turns visiting each other's cities. They went to concerts, museums, beaches, and restaurants. They cuddled on the couch and watched movies together, or sat on the balcony and watched the stars. They made love with a passion and intensity that Emma had never experienced before. They talked about their future together, dreaming of a life full of adventures and love.
But then, one day, everything changed.
Emma was on her way to work when she got a call from Alex's brother. He told her that Alex had been involved in a car accident and was in critical condition in the hospital. Emma felt like her heart had stopped beating. She rushed to the airport and flew to Alex's city, praying that he would be okay.
When she arrived at the hospital, she found Alex's family waiting for her, their faces somber and worried. Alex had suffered a head injury and was in a coma. Emma sat by his bedside for days, holding his hand and talking to him, hoping that he could hear her. She prayed for a miracle, for Alex to wake up and be the same person she had fallen in love with.
But when Alex finally woke up, things were different.
He had lost his memory. He couldn't remember Emma, his family, or anything from his past. He was confused and scared, like a newborn baby in a grown man's body. Emma felt like her world had turned upside down. She tried to remind Alex of their love story, showing him pictures and telling him stories, but he looked at her with a blank stare. He didn't remember anything.
Emma felt like she had lost her soulmate. She cried herself to sleep every night, feeling like it was unfair that she had to watch the love of her life slip away from her. She stayed by Alex's side, hoping that his memory would come back, but it never did. Alex was a different person now, with different tastes, different passions, and a different outlook on life. He was no longer the free-spirited musician who had stolen her heart.
But Emma couldn't let go. She loved Alex, and she couldn't bear the thought of leaving him. She decided to start a new chapter in their love story, a chapter that was different from the previous one, but still full of love.
She took Alex on a journey, showing him new places and new experiences. She introduced him to her friends and her world, hoping that he would find a new identity. She played his favorite songs and showed him the letters he had written to her, hoping that something would spark his memory. But most of all, she loved him, fiercely and unconditionally, even when it was hard.
Alex started to change, slowly but surely. He started to appreciate the little things in life, like the smell of coffee and the sound of rain. He started to smile more often, and to hold Emma's hand like it was the only thing that mattered. He started to write new songs, inspired by Emma's love, and to play the guitar like nobody was watching. He started to fall in love with her all over again, without knowing why or how.
Emma felt like they had come full circle. They were no longer the same people they had been when they first met, but they were still connected by an invisible thread of love. She knew that they had a long road ahead, full of uncharted territories and challenges, but she was ready to face them all with Alex by her side. She knew that their love was not conventional, but it was real, and it was endless.
They kissed under the rain, feeling their lips pressed together like they were made for each other. They whispered "I love you" like a secret code that only they could understand. They hugged each other tightly, feeling the warmth of their bodies intertwined. They were endlessly yours.
