For three days straight, Sarah's world revolved around the pale walls of the hospital in Sevilla. She rose before dawn, kissed her father's hand as he slept, then spent long hours by his bedside. Mike's texts arrived in a steady stream—"How's he feeling?" "Thinking of you both." "I wish I could be there." Each ping of her phone was a lifeline, a reminder that despite the distance, someone cared.
Late one evening, after her father drifted into a restless sleep, Sarah sank into the hard plastic chair by the window. Outside, orange streetlights cast long shadows across empty streets. She tapped Mike's name and held her breath.
"Hey," his face appeared, tired but smiling. He ran a hand through his hair. "It's 2 AM here—sorry if I woke you."
"No," she whispered, blinking back tears. "I needed this."
They sat in silence for a moment, the only sound the faint hum of the hospital's machines. Then Mike cleared his throat. "I cooked us something." He held up a plate of spaghetti carbonara. "Not Spanish, but—"
Sarah's lips curved into a weary smile. "It looks delicious."
He talked her through the recipe, spooning noodles into his mouth while she pretended to taste air. Their laughter echoed down the empty corridors of their respective rooms. For a while, they were just two people sharing a meal, not an American law student and a Spanish literature lover separated by an ocean and a family crisis.
But reality crept back in. Sarah's father's condition was fragile, and doctors spoke in hushed tones about complications. "I don't know what I'll do if he…" Sarah's voice broke.
"You'll do what you've been doing—staying strong for him," Mike said firmly. "And I'll be here, every step of the way."
A week later, Sarah's father stabilized. She was allowed to take him home under careful care. When she called Mike, her voice was lighter. "I want you to come," she said softly. "To meet my father. To see Spain."
Mike swallowed, excitement and fear tangled in his chest. Money was tight, flights were expensive, and her father's health remained delicate. Yet as Sarah's hopeful eyes filled his screen, he made a decision.
"I'll find a way," he promised. "I'll be there."
They said goodnight with lingering smiles, the promise of a reunion shimmering between them. Thousands of miles still lay ahead, but for the first time, distance felt like something they could conquer together.