Starlight on the Rooftop Garden

The city lights flickered softly as Evie Summers climbed the narrow stairs to the rooftop garden she had discovered years ago. The garden was tucked above a forgotten apartment building, hidden from view, alive with flowers that glowed faintly under strings of old fairy lights. Tonight the air smelled of jasmine and wet stone and everything felt suspended between reality and dream.

A shadow moved among the plants. Alex Turner. The man who had been her closest companion in college and the one whose laughter had once made even rainy days bright. He had disappeared for several years pursuing opportunities abroad, and seeing him now under the soft glow of the rooftop lights made Evie catch her breath.

Evie froze. Alex noticed her and a small smile tugged at his lips. You found it he said softly. I was afraid it had been forgotten.

I never could forget she replied, her voice carrying across the quiet garden. Not this place. Not you.

They walked among the flowerbeds, the soft petals brushing their fingertips. Alex spoke first. It has been years. So many things changed. But some things do not change. Some moments remain waiting for us.

Evie nodded. I have thought about this garden often. Every time I felt lost, every time the city became too loud, I remembered this place. And somehow I remembered you too.

He reached out and gently took her hand. Alex, I never stopped thinking about you. Even when I was far away, even when I thought it was too late, I hoped we would find this garden again together.

Her heart ached with relief. I thought the same she whispered. I was afraid to hope, afraid to see you and find that time had made us strangers. But standing here now, I feel like we never left.

They sat on the small bench beneath a blossoming arch. The night was calm except for the faint hum of the city below. Fireflies rose like tiny stars around them. Evie realized that for the first time in years, she felt completely present, completely alive.

Alex leaned closer. Evie, I want to start again. Not to go back but to move forward with you. Can we do that

She met his gaze. Yes. I want that too. I have wanted that all along, but I needed to find my courage.

They held hands and let the night envelope them. The flowers swayed gently in the breeze, and the lights overhead glimmered as if celebrating their reunion. Every soft whisper of wind, every faint scent of jasmine, seemed to remind them that some bonds are never truly broken.

Hours passed unnoticed. They shared stories of the years apart, laughter and memories spilling between them. The garden became a cocoon, a world suspended away from time. Evie realized that love, like a well-tended garden, could flourish again if nurtured carefully.

Finally, Alex stood and offered his hand. Evie took it. Together they walked to the edge of the rooftop where the city stretched endlessly beneath them. He whispered, Wherever we go, whatever happens, we will find our way back to this place, to each other.

Evie smiled, feeling a warmth that no distance or time could erase. Yes she said softly. Together.

The night sky above sparkled with countless stars, mirroring the lights below. And in that rooftop garden hidden from the world, Evie and Alex found not just each other but the promise of every tomorrow they would share.