Concrete Trust

The next day, the day after that, and weeks later, they continued visiting each other.

All the while, no one spoke a word.

Mari cleaned the counter, tables and utensils which were used during service. Rui sat in silence, always deep in thought.

Signs of their care and friendship continued to show. Before anything else, Mari cleaned the table which he always occupied; Rui improved his punctuality and entered the store earlier (though he consistently came after it was closed for the day).

_ _ _

Finally, after numerous weeks of wordless existence in the presence of the other,  the speechlessness was broken. 

“Why do you keep letting me in even if the store is closed?” Rui asked curiously. “Why don't you lock the door?”

Mari instantly paused her work. For several seconds, she deeply pondered on the question. Finally, while wiping her wet hands on a towel, she truthfully answered, “I was too engaged in my thoughts to press the metal lock. Because of my carelessness, you entered the store soon afterwards, aren't I correct?”

Rui stood up suddenly, causing the chair which he previously sat on to topple on the ground. It made a loud and obvious noise which prompted Mari to snap her head upwards. The expression on her face suggested her confusion and surprise at the foreign act. Rui, however, was too deep in thought to take notice of it.

With an almost desperate look in his eyes, he quickly asked, “Will you always keep the door open for me? Will promise not to abandon me in the future? Will you promise to be by my side?”

Unbeknownst to Mari, Rui had already formed a concrete trust in her. There was something about her personality which led him to take a rare chance in trust.

Mari stared at the fragile man standing in the middle of the room. She realized that they were alike. Both held deep memories which were shared in silence. Both experienced torment which were severely difficult to overcome. Both needed someone to support them and to heal their internal wounds.

He was betrayed once; he did not at all deserve to be let down again. No one did.

She looked at him directly in the eye and answered with full confidence,

“I will stay with you.”