One day in campus ….

“I miss you, Ben.”

Elzi could not hold back the sobs that shook her. The tears could not be contained, flowing freely down her smooth cheeks, seemingly indifferent to the presence of not only the two of them, but other passing students as well.

“I miss you too, Zi.”

Responding to the expression of longing with similar words, Ben led Elzi to sit on one of the garden chairs that were there, shaded by a large, leafy tree that offered them some protection from the afternoon sun.

Ben put his hand on Elzi's cheek, wiping away the tears from there and from her eyelids. In...