The next year, the master said Fabio’s recovery was going very well and that he would soon be able to walk on his own. He even praised my massage for helping his progress. We both started to believe in hope again.
One evening, I went to the bathroom to bring Fabio his pajamas. Unexpectedly, he stood up. His bronze skin glowed under the light, so my face turned red at once. I quickly turned around, stammering apologies at the door.
That night, both of us were too shy to speak. We were lying in bed quietly with our hearts beating fast. I couldn’t even tell whose heartbeat I was hearing. His or mine.
The kiss happened naturally. Everything that followed did too. From then on, we became close, truly close and both of us found joy in it. Our relationship began to blossom.
Fabio soon returned to the police stations, taking on light command work. Every day when he came home, he brought me small gifts. New clothes, a hairpin, or jewelry.
By the third year, Fabio could walk completely on his own. His steps were slow, but it was a miracle that he could walk again at all. That day, we hugged each other and cried for a long time. Fabio gently wiped away my tears and kissed me again and again.