The Closure; Goodbye Saudade.
Years had passed since Kathi and Leo parted ways. The echoes of their final argument, intense and flawed, still resonated faintly. Life, however, had moved on, painting its own stories onto the canvas of time. Kathi stood on a bustling sidewalk, the vibrant energy of the city swirling around her. Her steps were light, her smile genuine. Happiness wasn’t something she chased, but rather, a quiet companion found in the ordinary moments. Now, it came from the smell of freshly baked bread from her local bakery, the laughter shared with friends over coffee, the satisfaction of a completed project at work.
She thought of Leo sometimes, with a bittersweet fondness. They had both grown, learned, and loved differently in the years since their separation. His latest social media post showed him beaming alongside a woman with warm eyes and a contagious laugh. A genuine smile played on Kathi’s lips — happiness looked good on him too.
Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the city hum. “Kathi?”
Turning, she found Leo standing there, hesitation etched on his face. Time had softened his features, adding a depth that hadn’t been there before.
“Leo,” she replied, her voice calm and steady. “What a surprise.”
They exchanged cautious smiles, the air thick with unspoken words. It wasn’t an awkward silence, but rather a comfortable quiet, a testament to the shared history they both acknowledged.
“I saw you from across the street,” Leo explained, “and couldn’t resist saying hello.”
They walked down the street, side by side, falling into an easy conversation. They talked about their lives, their careers, their travels, the updates woven with comfortable silences. It wasn’t the same intimacy they once shared, but a different kind of closeness, one built on respect and acceptance.
As they reached a park, they sat on a bench, the familiar scent of blooming jasmine triggering a wave of memories. It was here, beneath the shade of these very trees, that their love had begun to unravel.
Looking at him, Kathi knew it was time for closure, not just for her, but for him too. “Remember our last conversation?” she asked gently.
“How could I forget?” Leo replied, a hint of pain in his voice.
“Remember how you said I deserved a love that wouldn’t burden me?” she continued, her gaze unwavering. “Well, I found it.”
His eyes widened, surprise battling with understanding. “You do?”
“Yes,” she confirmed, a soft smile playing on her lips. “And while it took me a while to understand what that meant, I did. I deserve a love that supports my growth, celebrates my strengths, and allows me to be myself, completely and unapologetically.”
Silence descended again, this time filled with acceptance and a touch of relief. Leo nodded slowly. “I’m happy for you, Kathi. Truly.”
“And I for you, Leo,” she said, sincerity in her voice. “We both needed to walk our own paths, and it seems they led us here, to this moment of peace.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a while longer, two souls connected by a past love, now content in their present realities. Then, with a final smile and a wave goodbye, they went their separate ways, lighter for the closure they had found.
Months turned into years, Leo break up with his girl because he still find Kathi on someone else, he lived with the sting of regret etched deep in his heart. The echoes of their final conversation haunted him, replaying Kathi’s words like accusing whispers. “Is it really too much to love someone the way they deserve?” they echoed, each iteration amplifying his guilt.
He saw her occasionally, glimpses of her happiness caught in fleeting moments — a genuine smile as she walked her dog, the animated conversation with friends at a cafe. The sight of her thriving, independent, and joyful was a balm on his wounded pride and a dagger to his remorseful heart.
One rainy afternoon, fate intervened. He saw her huddled under a shop awning, waiting for a ride. An impulsive decision took hold, and he pulled up beside her, offering a ride.
Hesitantly, she accepted. The car ride was filled with polite small talk, punctuated by long, uncomfortable silences. As they neared her destination, Leo couldn’t hold it back any longer.
“Kathi,” he began, his voice thick with emotion, “I know there’s no excuse for how I acted, but I regret it every single day. I was so afraid of losing you.”
He poured out his heart, confessing his insecurities, his misinterpretations, and the painful realization that he had pushed away the one person who truly saw him. He didn’t beg, he didn’t plead, he simply laid bare his soul, leaving the decision in her hands.
Kathi listened patiently, her gaze distant, reflecting the years that had passed. The pain in his voice resonated with her, but it was a different kind of pain now, softened by time and understanding.
When he finished, a soft sigh escaped her lips. “Leo,” she began, her voice calm but firm, “I appreciate your honesty. And yes, hearing you acknowledge your part in our ending brings a certain level of closure. But…”
She paused, taking a deep breath. “The truth is, I’ve grown so much since then. I found a love that respects my boundaries, celebrates my strength, and allows me to be myself, completely and unapologetically. That’s the love I deserve, and that’s the love I have.” Kathi bring back the last conversation with him at the park.
He felt a pang of heartache, but it was laced with acceptance. He had hurt her, and her happiness, even if not with him, was his redemption.
“I’m too late.” Leo regret it.
“Find your home, Leo,” she replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “We need to see the future.”
They sat in silence for a moment longer, the air heavy with unspoken words and bittersweet finality. Then, with a final smile and a lingering gaze, they went their separate ways, two souls forever connected by a love that bloomed, faltered, and ultimately led them both to their own destinations.
Leo’s regret served as a powerful reminder that true love isn’t about possession, but about nurturing each other’s growth, even if it means letting go. And while his heart ached for what could have been, he carried the lessons learned into the future, cherishing the memory of their love and the bittersweet gift of closure.
“How can I move on when my home is you and my heart stuck on you, Kathi.”
