1

Have you ever had the impulse to move to another country to start a new life? Most people won't. But if something colossal and malevolent happened…

As the plane journeyed from the Heathrow airport touched down at the Arlanda Airport, Emma opened her eyes and took off the airpods. She pulled up the blinder and outside was a new city for her. A sense of expectation coursed through her veins. This marked a turning point in her life, a life that had always been in the tumultuous city.

A symphony of seatbelt clicks resonated through the cabin as passengers eagerly retrieved their luggage from the overhead compartments. With a collective sense of anticipation, they filed out of the plane, the air attendants bidding farewell with warm smiles and bilingual goodbyes – a melodic blend of English and Swedish. 

Among the flow of people, Emma manoeuvred her luggage through the customs, her gaze shifting between the bustling surroundings and her cell phone screen. Amidst messages from friends and parents, there was a conspicuous absence – not a single message from William. Of course, Emma thought. After all, they had broken up. 

Having secured her luggage, Emma settled into a taxi, instructing the driver with an address. The vehicle navigated the nocturnal streets of Stockholm, the glow of streetlights filtering through the taxi window, casting an ethereal light on Emma's fatigued and bewildered expression as her eyes merged with a blend of weariness and uncertainty.

Acquiring the key, Emma unlocked the door to her Airbnb. After expressing gratitude to the taxi driver, she flicked on the lights, surveying the space. The flat with a bedroom, some distance from the city center, revealed itself: a generously-sized window in the living room faced her. Adjacent to the window, a plush three-seater sofa adorned with an array of pillows beckoned. Opposite the sofa, two inviting armchairs adorned with blankets formed a cozy nook around a coffee table. The host had thoughtfully adorned the table with scented candles and desk decorations. To the right, an electric fireplace, adorned with warm Christmas decorations despite the calendar reading January, added an extra touch of comfort to the charming space.

To the left, a functional desk nestled against the wall with three adjoining entrances: one leading to a compact yet contemporary kitchen, another to a well-appointed washroom, and the third providing access to her bedroom, which, in turn, connected to the bathroom. In the bedroom, a commodious double-sized bed adorned with understated bedding awaited. Ample storage spaces surrounded her, prompting Emma to remark to herself, "This is quite lovely." She proceeded to usher her luggage into the dwelling and commenced the unpacking ritual.

Following the completion of unpacking and a refreshing shower, Emma found solace lying on her bed. The clock had ticked past 2 am. Despite responding to messages from friends and parents, Emma continued to scroll through her phone, a sense of anticipation lingering in the air. "What am I still expecting?" She forced herself to put down the phone. Exhaustion gradually overcame her, rendering her eyelids too heavy to stay open, and she succumbed to the embrace of sleep.

Within the realm of her dreams, she transported back to her inaugural year at the university. It was a Friday evening in the library. Despite the looming final exams, the campus was abuzz with a vibrant party. Emma, embodying her studious nature, sought solace in a tranquil corner to focus on her final project. Clutching her laptop, she navigated toward her customary sanctuary – a row of solitary desks and chairs.

Following hours of diligent work, Emma stood up and stretched. The library was now nearly empty. A boy positioned at the desk in front and sitting facing her caught her attention. His well-groomed dark hair complemented the black metal frame of his glasses. Dressed in a grey sweater layered over a white shirt, he industriously typed on his laptop, a stack of books beside him. Sensing Emma's gaze, he rose, offering her a warm smile. This was the first time Emma saw William. Unlike in the past he then returned to his work, this time William initiated the conversation by saying something. Emma could not hear clearly and could not respond. She was woken up by the alarm.

Awakening from her slumber, Emma seamlessly transitioned into her morning routine, the vivid scenes from her dream lingering in her thoughts. Subsequent to their initial encounter, they seemed to always bump into each other in the library. Both dedicated and industrious, they shared a mutual commitment to their studies. Emma, a computer science major, preferred to immerse herself in numerous projects. William, on the other hand, pursued finance, aspiring to ascend the so-called pinnacle of the business world – investment banking. Even in their first year, he diligently honed the technical skills crucial for recruitment. For that, they became friends.

In their second year, the university hosted a trading competition, and William extended an invitation to Emma to join forces, recognizing her prowess in mathematical modeling and programming. Collaborating with fellow finance students, they dedicated three weeks to the competition, ultimately clinching the top spot. Celebrating their victory with the award, they indulged in a lavish celebration at a high-end Michelin-starred restaurant. It was during this time that Emma sensed a shift in her feelings towards William. However, uncertainty lingered as she remained unsure of William's sentiments toward her.

Following their triumph in the competition, William's standing in the business school soared. He even became the president of the finance club, attracting invitations from numerous girls to various events. Consequently, in the third year, he did not go to the library very often. Emma, feeling a twinge of frustration, grappled with her emotions. However, recognizing her perceived insignificance in William's life, she contemplated ceasing communication with him. Emma, unlike the sociable William, was not very good at the art of communication. After a silent standoff lasting three weeks, William stopped Emma at the library entrance, breaking the cold war. "We're planning a ski trip to France. Would you like to join?" he asked.

The 3-day ski trip was marked by numerous small incidents, but one moment stood out in Emma's memory: a severe fall on the mountain. In an instant, William rushed to her aid, showcasing his exceptional skiing skills. Unable to contain her emotions any longer, while still on the ground and with his assistance, Emma confessed, "I have strong feelings for you." For a brief moment, William appeared torn between amusement and concern, but then a big smile graced his face. Their journey together took a new turn as they officially started dating. Though some girls on the trip displayed signs of disappointment upon learning this, it did little to dampen Emma's newfound happiness.

Embarking on their journey as a couple, Emma and William joyfully immersed themselves in a myriad of shared activities. Their bond strengthened as they supported each other through the rigorous recruitment process, and the culmination was the receipt of favorable news: William secured a promising position in a renowned investment bank, poised to kickstart his career, while Emma landed a role as a developer in a well-established tech firm. The accolades poured in from friends and onlookers alike – their compatibility and shared success painted a picture of a seemingly perfect couple destined for a happily-ever-after. Emma herself also thought that her university years with William were a dream. But just like most good things came to an end, she and William were no exception.

Completed changing her clothes, Emma consciously withdrew from dwelling in the past. Regardless of the memories that lingered, she acknowledged that she was now in Stockholm, a city distant from the one that had borne witness to her past. As a precursor to embarking on this new chapter, she felt the need for a latte to inaugurate the day.