"Aurora?" I hurry into the living kitchen, but she's not there. I search the bedroom, then the bathroom.
She's not here.
Is that good or bad?
Confused, I take off my jacket. Perhaps she's out shopping for my mother's Christmas gift. Or she's meeting up with Sky.
Yes, that's quite possible. Aurora is becoming more active again and no longer hiding in our four walls during her free time.
I hang the jacket on the hook. The apartment door opens at that moment, and a heavily panting Aurora in her running outfit stands before me. Her cheeks are flushed bright red.
"Hey," she says, pulling off her hood, revealing her sweat-drenched hair clinging to her temples.
"You went for a run?" Aurora hates jogging.
She ties her ponytail again. "My running shoes seemed so lonely this morning." She grins and pulls down the zipper of her bright yellow multifunctional jacket. "I just started running, and before I knew it, it was already dark."
What? She's been out all day?
"That's... wonderful." If she lost track of time, it probably means she's finding her old self again.
"I'll go jogging more often from now on." With those words, she plants a kiss on my lips with her flushed ones.
Still stunned, I watch as she takes off her shoes. There's something in her movements and her expression. Small changes, but I notice them clearly. Aurora is finding herself again. Until now, I couldn't be completely sure that she told the truth during our boat trip. But this is the proof. She desires this life, and fulfilling her wish was my best decision in a long time.
"How was your day?" she asks me now.
It has been so long since she asked me that question. The fact that she does it today is another sign.
Filled with all the hope and happiness of this moment, I step toward her and wrap my arms around her hips.
"Very good," I answer truthfully, without even having to force a smile. It happens naturally.
