Fated to be yours

The rain had stopped just an hour before the concert, drenching the city in a glow of light. Every streetlight glimmered on the wet pavement, and there was the lingering scent of dirt and coffee in the air as Ella entered the music hall. She hadn't really planned to be there,a coworker had an extra ticket, and she had consented in general because to refuse would be to spend another evening home alone with herself. The air within vibrated softly with the sound of tuning instruments, the hall was not big , a small, dimly lit room with hardwood floors and candelabras that threw soft light and made all things seem less sharp. The hum of anticipation hung on the air, people spoke in hushed tones, laughter fermented in isolated spots, and Ella found an empty seat near the rear. Stage lights got dimmed and for a moment, quiet oppressed each heart within. Suddenly, the beginning notes of a guitar stroked the air, very slow, sorrowful, piercing the heart with it sound, it was alive. What followed was a rough, unflinching voice singing of loss and returning home. She tightened her chest, apparently, music had always been like that for her, touched places words could not. Her gaze roamed the room, not really scanning for anyone, but coming , unexpectedly, sighting a stranger seated several rows in front of her. He was not moving, not swaying like the others, but listening. There was something in the tilt of his shoulders forward, the tilt of his head, that resonated with the way she felt, as if he heard every words. The song finished with gentle claps and screams. Ella breathed, for the first time in months, she was present , not stuck on what she'd lost, not counting down the days since it was over. Just present, breathing in melody and peace still.

During the short break, people made their way to the bar for drinks. Therefore, Ella stayed in her seat, she had came alone, mindlessly scrolling on her phone, until a baritone voice from down the aisle called out.

"Is this seat taken?"

She looked up. It was him, the man in the row in front. Up close, he had the quiet kind of presence, the kind that didn't draw attention but still drew it. His eyes were unflustered, deep brown, and tired in a way that was recognizable to her.

"No," she said quickly, pushing her bag aside. "Go on."

He smiled small and sincere, and sat beside her.

They're fine," he murmured, leaning his head toward the stage. "The band."

"Yeah," Ella replied. "It's been a while since I've heard live music. I forgot how it feels."

He tilted his head. "How it feels?" She hesitated. "Like someone's reading your diary out loud but somehow, you don't mind."

He smiled softly. "That's actually perfect."

A silence , a comfortable one, to her surprise. He extended his hand. "I'm Nathan."

"Ella."

The lights dimmed again before they could