182 – HE WAS WAITING FOR A KEY EVENT

In that moment, Celina felt an overwhelming urge to cry. Small gestures, quiet acts of kindness—everything she had been missing for so long.

“You really are a gift,” she said, steadying the cart so he could place the bags inside.

“And you’re my fresh start too, Celina. This moment belongs to both of us.”

“You have no idea how much that comforts me.”

They paid for their groceries, walked out carrying two insulated bags and three regular ones, and called an Uber to take them back. The sky was already beginning to darken, even though it was only mid-afternoon—the kind of winter dusk unique to New York. From the backseat, Celina stared out the window, drinking in every detail of the city as if she were wide awake in a dream.

Back at the apartment, they carried the bags upstairs. Gabriel began putting things away while Celina helped, both of them laughing at how disorganized their “system” was.

“We need a routine,” he said. “Tomorrow, let’s draw up a sc