Silence falls between us. But this time... it does not weigh.
It feels necessary.
Clara lowers her gaze for a second. Then it comes back to me.
"I don't want that either," she says.
And her voice... she's honest. No defenses.
"So," I continue, "we have to do something different."
She tilts her head slightly.
"Like what?"
I exhale slowly.
"Say things."
Simple, straightforward. But not easy.
"Even if they are uncomfortable," I add. "Even if we don't know how to say them perfectly."
I get a little closer.
"But to say them."
She watches me silently, processing. Feeling.
"And listening" I add "Really."
My hands come out of my pockets, I don't touch her yet... But I'm close.
"Not to reply," I say. "To understand."
Clara nods slowly.
"That… we were missing" she admits.
And the
