The flame that lights up when the light goes out

Under the faint glow of the moon, the stories seem to take on a different, almost magical dimension. The secrets that are hidden during the day find a safe haven in the darkness, where the most intense emotions and deepest desires emerge. María didn’t believe in those things, but that night, everything was about to change.

María had a structured, almost predictable life. At 29 years old, she worked as a freelance graphic designer, which gave her the freedom to manage her time as she pleased, but also a constant challenge to balance her emotions. She had chosen a small but cozy apartment in the center of the city, away from the hustle and bustle, seeking peace after years of failed relationships and a love life that seemed more like a battlefield than a source of happiness.

Although her daily routine kept her busy, with creative projects that offered her a certain level of satisfaction, she often felt the emptiness of coming home and not having someone with whom to share the small triumphs or even the defeats of the day. That emptiness was something she preferred to ignore, occupying herself with books, series and occasional meetings with her friends.

Since the day he moved in, Alejandro had caught his attention. His upstairs neighbor had an energy that filled any space. At 42 years old, with a physique that reflected his constant visits to the gym and a smile that exuded confidence, it was difficult not to notice him. They often met in the elevator or in the lobby of the building, and their exchanges were always brief but full of latent chemistry.

María was not one to be carried away by a pretty face, but there was something about Alejandro that intrigued her, a mix of security and mystery. I would see him return with bags of groceries or go out for an evening jog, and although I had never asked him directly, I had heard a neighbor mention that he was recently divorced.

Everything changed that night. An unexpected storm left the building without power. Maria was alone in her apartment, trying to read by candlelight, when a soft knock on her door startled her. It was Alejandro, with a flashlight in his hand and a proposal: “Why don’t you come to my apartment? I have a bottle of wine and it’s not a good idea to be alone on a night like this.”

María hesitated for a moment, but accepted. His apartment was lit with candles and, although simple, had a cozy air that reflected Alejandro’s personality. The conversation began casually, but with each glass of wine, the words flowed more naturally.

Alejandro told him about his divorce, how it had been a painful but necessary decision. He shared how he and his ex-wife had grown up in opposite directions and how, despite everything, he still believed in love. María, for her part, confessed how she had decided to walk away from relationships after a bitter experience where deception had been the main cause of the breakup.

As the conversation deepened, Alejandro commented, “I’ve always believed that the most genuine connections are felt immediately, as if they were meant to be.” The phrase resonated with Maria more than she wanted to admit.

When the storm subsided and the building was still in darkness, Alejandro approached her. “You know, ever since I saw you move in I’ve wanted to take you out to dinner, but I always thought you were too much for me.” Maria laughed nervously, and before she could respond, he kissed her.

The kiss triggered something neither of them could control. Between laughter, kisses and caresses, they ended up on Alejandro’s couch. The tension built up for months broke out in a meeting full of desire. Each movement was a mixture of passion and tenderness, as if both were exploring an unknown but longed-for territory.

When dawn illuminated the apartment, María woke up curled up next to Alejandro. For a moment, everything seemed perfect, until he noticed a message on his phone. It was from a neighbor who had seen Alejandro going out with another woman a few days before.

It didn’t take long for Maria to confront him. Alejandro, sincere, admitted that he was meeting someone else, but that it was nothing serious. “I can’t explain what happened last night, but I know it was special,” he said, trying to calm her down. For Maria, the words were confusing. How could it be special if he had someone else?

Days passed without speaking. Alejandro tried to look for her several times, but she avoided any contact. He felt a mixture of pain and wounded pride. For the first time in a long time, he had let someone cross his barriers, and now he paid the price.

One day, he knocked on her door with a letter in his hand. “I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I wanted you to know what you mean to me,” he said before leaving. Maria read the letter with her heart pounding. In it, Alejandro described how, since he had met her, he had felt a connection that made him question everything.

After reading it several times, María decided to give it another chance, but with one condition: “If we are going to try something, it will be on my terms. No more lies or games.” Alejandro helped, and although the road was not easy, they both began to build something more real and honest.

Under the moonlight, where it all began, Maria and Alejandro sat on the apartment balcony, sharing a comfortable silence. Although their paths had been complicated, that night they both knew that, at least for now, they were exactly where they needed to be.