The door closed softly behind them.
The apartment was dark, silent, still - as if it had been waiting.
She took off her shoes slowly, still carrying the film with her and the cold of the evening on her cheeks.
He walked past without touching her, heading toward the hallway.
"Goodnight," she said, almost out of habit.
"Hm."
His door closed with the usual sharp click.
Silence.
She stayed a moment in the empty entryway, coat still on.
She finally moved. Went to the kitchen, drank a sip of water.
The window glass reflected her face, still a little flushed, her eyes glossy but calm.
She turned off the light and went to her room.
Lying in the dark, the film came back in flashes.
Rain on the screen. Faces lit up. Her grandmother's voice in the memories.
Then - unexpected - another image overlapped it.
Him beside her in the theater. Motionless. Present. Eyes fixed on the screen, but aware.
And then, again:
*"After."*
*I thought it looked like you.*
Her breath grew short under the covers.
She turned her face into the pillow, almost hiding from herself.
"It's just... because it was an important day," she whispered.
But the smile stayed.
She fell asleep like that.
The next day the light came in clear through the curtains.
She was already sitting at the table, cup in her hands, her hair still a little messy from sleep. The steam from her tea brushed her face.
The hallway door opened.
Footsteps.
She glanced up.
He came into the kitchen. Dark hoodie. Hair slightly disheveled. His usual neutral expression.
He walked to the sink, picked up his cup, turned on the water.
Then - passing behind her chair - he said:
"Good morning."
Time stopped.
She sat still, the cup suspended half an inch above the table.
She slowly raised her eyes toward him.
He already had his back to her. Pouring the hot water. Movements identical to every other morning. Normal. As if he'd always done it.
"...good morning," she answered, a beat too late.
Her voice came out lower than expected.
He gave a small nod. Sat down. Drank.
Silence.
She slowly lowered her eyes to the cup.
The tea trembled slightly.