We dashed out of the class as soon as it was over. Our eyes met briefly, full of uncertainty and anticipation. We set off on the road ahead, not knowing where it would lead us. I wondered what she was thinking, but I couldn't read her mind. I was thinking about our common values and how the future would shape and change them. These questions had never crossed my mind before. I had never felt this way before. Everything used to be simpler, and I didn't care much about how things worked. But this time, it was different. It was as if a jolt from the future had struck my brain, something that I couldn't fully understand yet. But I knew that from today on, nothing would be the same as before. Every day felt like a repetition of the past, and everything reminded me of a memory that was fading away. But I didn't realize these sorrows until it was too late. When I was a young man, I had liberty, but I did not see it. I had time, but I did not know it. And I had love, but I did not feel it. Many decades would pass before I understood the meaning of all three. And now, the twilight of my life, this understanding has passed into contentment. and I had love but I didn't cherish it. These are sorrows that will haunt me forever, starting from this moment. Things that have their origin in this very moment. I was lost in these thoughts again, oblivious to the passage of time, when a voice snapped me out of my reverie and freed me from the shackles of this inner world. 'What are you doing, you fool? How long are you going to be lazy and not take yourself seriously? If you fail, you might be gone for good. Did the teacher tell you that?' she said. I looked at her coldly and replied, 'He was just saying the same old stuff. Nothing new. He still thinks I have potential.' She said, 'So you still have potential. I don't know why everyone has such high hopes for you. What have you done to deserve them?' I said, 'I haven't done anything. I'm just doing my own thing as always. By passing some tests and exams, I keep moving forward, and for the authorities, it doesn't matter what my attitude is. They only care about results and progress.' She said, 'This is absurd. You can't last a day in the real world with just your physical skills.' I said, 'That's how we see it in our own way.' She said, 'How can you be so good without paying attention and practicing? Can you teach me?' In my mind, I was thinking about how to answer her, but something in my brain told me to give her a chance. I said, 'Sure, but it won't take long.' I let go of her hand and led her to the center of the courtyard, a place with enough room for demonstration moves, and where I could show off my abilities. We assumed a fighting stance, and I gestured for her to begin. She, like the others, didn't attack me right away. She studied my posture and defense, like the others. It seemed like she was figuring something out. I told her, 'You know we don't have time until tomorrow, so hurry up.' With accuracy and speed, she attacked me, and when she got close enough, she threw the first punch at me. She was fast, but I was faster. I dodged her blows easily. When I tried to get closer to her, she blocked my attack and pushed me back. A new move, as if she had something to prove. I realized that she had learned my fighting style well, and this was not just a training session. She wanted to beat me, to prove herself. I smiled, and when she attacked me again, I caught her clenched fists and stopped her assault. Quickly, I hit her on the head and knocked her down. It was quick and effective enough to end the situation. As she was about to hit the ground, her eyes widened, and her pupils dilated fully. She looked at me. I couldn't stand that victorious, begging look. I looked away from her eyes and, before she hit the ground, I caught her and prevented the fall. I said, 'And this is how you can find a weak spot in a fast and skilled opponent. Well done.' I was surprised by how much I was moved by her. But I couldn't lie to myself either. She gave me a look full of spite and satisfaction, saying, 'You got lucky this time.' I said, 'Maybe you're right... It's always been like this, but still, I was the one who caught you before you fell.' Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she averted her eyes from me, saying, 'I wouldn't have fallen anyway. I don't need your help.' I said, 'Sure, sure. The other girl doesn't need rescuing either.' She got up and dusted off her clothes, giving me another angry look, without any sarcasm this time. She looked at me as a woman would. I said, 'Are we done with the training?' She said, 'For now, yes. I realized that your failure to bring me down was because of what I expected.' We walked towards the stairs. I said, 'Be more careful next time.' She laughed a little and said: If it happens again, you will come
down with me
I said: So it is better to do this as soon as possible. Of course if you can
She chuckled and suddenly looked at me with a lovely smile. A smile that was neither as wide as usual nor mocking. She looked at me as a woman. I said, 'This time, try to get some rest so you won't be late tomorrow.' I wanted to say something else, but she seized the opportunity and went into her room. I looked at her again. Alone and lonely in the darkness. The night had fallen. Time with her flew by faster than I thought. I didn't expect the night to come so soon. In my room, I opened the door and went inside. I sat at my desk and reviewed the events of the day. I took some notes and then gazed outside. Night sky. Between these mountains in this field. Among the greenery. Far from any troubles. What did it want from us? I felt the air getting colder... It was time to find my jacket.