The rain fell hard against the window of Maya's small apartment. She sat on the floor, surrounded by boxes. Another year in the city, another move to a new place. It felt like she was always starting over.
Her phone buzzed on the floor beside her. It was a message from her friend, Sarah.
"Don't forget about the party tonight! You have to come."
Maya sighed. She was tired from packing. The last thing she wanted was a loud party. But Sarah was her best friend. She knew Maya needed to get out of her own head.
"Okay, I'll come," Maya typed back.
She looked at the half-packed boxes. Her eyes fell on a small wooden box. She opened it. Inside were old photos and letters. On top was a picture of her and Leo.
They were smiling, his arm around her. That was five years ago. Back when they were in love and life felt simple.
She put the picture away and closed the box. Some memories were too heavy to unpack.
Later that night, Maya stood at the edge of the party. The room was full of people laughing and talking. She felt invisible. She held her drink and wished she was home in her pajamas.
Then she saw him.
Across the room, standing near the balcony, was Leo.
Her heart jumped into her throat. He looked the same, but different. A little older. His smile was still easy, but his eyes looked tired. He was talking to a friend, and he hadn't seen her yet.
Maya turned around quickly. Her hands felt cold. She could not face him. Not here. Not now.
She moved through the crowd, heading for the door. She needed air. She needed to escape.
She stepped out onto the balcony, forgetting her coat. The cold night air hit her skin. She took a deep breath, trying to calm down.
The balcony door opened behind her. She froze. She knew who it was without turning around.
"Maya?"
His voice was soft, just like she remembered.
She turned slowly. Leo stood there, holding her forgotten coat.
"You left this inside," he said. He held it out to her.
"Thank you," she said, her voice quiet. She took the coat but did not put it on.
They stood in silence for a moment. The city lights shone below them.
"How have you been?" Leo asked.
"Okay," Maya said. "Just... busy. You?"
"The same."
Another silence. It was heavy with all the things they were not saying.
"I didn't know you would be here," Maya said.
"Sarah invited me," Leo said. "She said you might not come if you knew I was coming."
That sounded like Sarah. She was always trying to fix things.
"It's good to see you," Leo said. He looked at her, and for a second, she saw the old Leo. The one she loved.
"You too," Maya said.
But it was a lie. Seeing him hurt. It opened a door to a room in her heart she had locked long ago.
"I should go," she said. "I have a lot to do tomorrow."
"Right," Leo said. He nodded, his face unreadable. "It was nice seeing you, Maya."
She walked past him and back into the noisy party. She did not look back. She got her bag and left without saying goodbye to Sarah.
Outside, the rain had stopped. She walked quickly, her mind racing.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a text message.
From Leo.
Her breath caught. She stared at the screen.
The message was simple.
"I miss you."
Two years of silence, and that was the first thing he sent. Three words that changed everything.
Maya stood on the sidewalk, people moving past her. She did not know what to do. She did not know what to feel.
She put the phone back in her pocket without replying. She started walking again, faster this time.
But the words echoed in her mind.
I miss you.
She got home to her half-packed apartment. The picture of them was still on the floor where she left it.
She picked it up and looked at their smiling faces. They were so young. They had no idea what was coming.
Her phone buzzed again. Another text.
This one was from Sarah.
"Are you okay? Leo said you left."
Maya put the phone down. She did not answer. She looked at Leo's text again.
"I miss you."
Her finger hovered over the screen. Should she reply? What would she even say?
After five years, and one quiet night, their story was not over. It was just starting again.
And she was afraid.
---
Questions for you:
What would you do if you got a text like that from an ex? Do you think Maya should reply to Leo? Why or why not?
Text Me When You Miss Me: Episode 2
(Written by Jed The Creator)
Maya woke up with the morning light hitting her face. She had fallen asleep on the floor, surrounded by boxes. Her phone was still in her hand. Sh
e looked at the screen. Leo's message was still there.
"I miss you."
She put the phone down and stood up. Her body felt stiff. She needed coffee. She walked to the kitchen and started the machine. While she waited, she looked out the window. The city was already busy. People were going to work, starting their day.
She thought about Leo. Why did he text her? Why now? After two years of nothing.
Her phone buzzed. It was Sarah.
"Can we talk? I'm sorry about last night."
Maya poured her coffee and called her.
"Hey," Sarah said. "I'm really sorry. I should have told you he was coming."
"It's okay," Maya said. She took a sip of coffee. "It was just a surprise."
"Did he talk to you?" Sarah asked.
"Yes. On the balcony. Then he texted me later."
"What did he say?"
Maya paused. "He said he misses me."
Sarah was quiet for a moment. "Wow. What did you say back?"
"Nothing. I didn't reply."
"Are you going to?"
"I don't know, Sarah. It's been two years. Why would he text me that now?"
"People change," Sarah said. "Maybe he regrets what happened."
Maya shook her head even though Sarah couldn't see. "It's not that simple."
"I know," Sarah said. "Just think about it. Don't make a decision too fast."
They talked for a few more minutes then hung up. Maya finished her coffee and looked around at the boxes. She needed to finish packing. But her mind kept going back to Leo.
She remembered their last fight. It was about his work. He was always busy, always stressed. She felt alone. He said she didn't understand the pressure he was under. They both said things they didn't mean. Then he got the job offer in another city. He took it without really talking to her about it. That was the end.
She thought she had moved on. But now, with one text, all those feelings were back.
She picked up her phone and looked at the message again. Her finger hovered over the reply box. What could she say?
She typed "I miss you too" but deleted it.
She typed "Why are you texting me now?" but deleted that too.
Finally, she just typed "Okay" and pressed send before she could change her mind.
She put the phone down and started packing again. But she kept checking her phone. Would he reply? What would he say?
After twenty minutes, her phone buzzed.
"Can I see you?" Leo's message said.
Maya's heart beat faster. She didn't know what to do. Part of her wanted to see him. Part of her was scared.
"Why?" she typed.
"I want to talk. Properly. Not at a party."
Maya thought about it. Maybe it was better to talk face to face. Maybe then she could understand what he wanted.
"Okay," she typed. "When?"
"Today? I'm free all day."
They decided to meet at a coffee shop near her apartment in two hours.
Maya spent the next two hours trying to pack. But she couldn't focus. She changed her clothes three times. She was nervous. Why was she so nervous?
She arrived at the coffee shop early. She got a table in the corner and ordered a coffee. She watched the door.
Then she saw him. He walked in and looked around. When he saw her, he smiled slightly. He looked nervous too.
He walked over and sat down across from her.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi," she said.
There was silence for a moment. Then they both spoke at the same time.
"How have you been?" Leo asked.
"Thanks for coming," Maya said.
They both smiled awkwardly.
"You go first," Leo said.
"I was just saying thanks for coming," Maya said.
"Thanks for agreeing to meet me," Leo said.
The waiter came and Leo ordered a coffee. Then they were alone again.
"You look good," Leo said.
"You too," Maya said.
Another silence. This was harder than Maya thought it would be.
"Why did you text me, Leo?" Maya finally asked. "After all this time."
Leo looked down at his hands. Then he looked up at her. "I've been thinking about you a lot lately. About us. About what happened."
"What about it?" Maya asked.
"I think I made a mistake," he said. "Taking that job and leaving like that. I should have fought for us."
Maya felt something inside her chest. She didn't know what to say.
"Why are you saying this now?" she asked.
"Because I never stopped loving you, Maya," he said. His eyes were serious. "I thought I could move on. But I can't."
Maya looked at him. She saw the truth in his eyes. But she also saw the pain of their past.
"I don't know what to say," she said softly.
"You don't have to say anything," Leo said. "I just wanted you to know."
Their coffee arrived. They drank in silence for a few minutes.
"How's work?" Maya asked, changing the subject.
"It's good," Leo said. "I'm actually back in the city for good. I transferred back last month."
Maya looked at him in surprise. "You're back? For good?"
He nodded. "Yes. I wanted to be closer to... well, to everything."
Maya didn't know what to think. Leo was back in the city. He wanted to see her. He said he never stopped loving her.
It was all happening so fast.
They talked for another hour. About work, about friends, about everything except their relationship. It was easy, like old times. Maya found herself laughing at his jokes. She saw the Leo she fell in love with.
When they finished their coffee, Leo paid and they walked outside.
"Can I see you again?" Leo asked.
Maya looked at him. She felt confused. But she also felt happy.
"Yes," she said. "I'd like that."
Leo smiled. A real, genuine smile this time. "Good. I'll text you."
He turned and walked away. Maya watched him go. Her mind was racing. Her heart was confused.
She started walking home. Her phone buzzed. It was Leo.
"I had a really good time today," the message said.
Maya smiled. She typed back, "Me too."
Maybe this was a second chance. Maybe they could try again.
But was she ready to risk her heart again?
---
Questions for you:
Do you believe in second chances in love? What would you do if your ex told you they never stopped loving you?
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