They walked up to a quiet corner and had a seat. No one said anything for a while. They just took in each other's presence.

"Did you think about me over the past 4 years?" Her voice broke the silence.

'Every single moment,' I thought to myself. My mouth uttered something different.

"I did. When I got back, I was going to contact you through Kev, but I didn't know how to appear in front of you," I replied meekly.

"The same way you did then, but the location would just be different. I got my own place." She smiled confidently. She was so straightforward that I didn't know how to react.

"Well, keep your eyes on your door. I might show up at any time," I replied heartily.

Once again, it was silent. She had grown a lot since the last time I saw her. Every time I came home for a short break, I resisted the urge to see her. I wasn't confident that I wouldn't quit everything and run to her. Seeing her right in front of me and talking with her made me lose my heart to her all over again.

"I'm a Brigadier general now. I just need to work harder and I'll be a Major Genral in a few years," I said.

"Was it hard?" She looked at me gently, urging me for an answer.

"It was, but I made it... made it back to you." Of course, I didn't say that last part out.

She talked about getting her license a year ago and setting up her shop with the help of her parents. Tanya also helped her a lot with the promotions and customers. She went back every summer to learn from Tanya, and she had an amazing experience every time.

It was comfortable striking up a conversation with her. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be when I finally faced her. She laughed at some of my training stories, and I found it so cute.

"Your phone, " she demanded out of nowhere.

Like a robot, I handed it over. She took a selfie with it and pressed on it, then I saw her phone light up. She picked it up and took a picture of me. I bet I was looking fl.u.s.tered at the moment.

"Now you have my number. No more middleman Kevin," she said, handing my phone back to me.

I smiled as I clicked on the gallery to see the picture she had taken. One word. Beautiful!

We talked for a while more before hugging it out and bidding goodbye. It all felt like a dream to me, but the picture confirmed it was reality.