"When the City Lit Up for Two"

Evening descended slowly over the city, like a soft blanket of light and sound. The lamps on the embankment were just beginning to glow, reflected in the wet asphalt after a light rain. People were hurrying home, cars were noisily passing, and I stood under a streetlamp, scrolling my phone screen with my finger.

An ordinary evening. Ordinary coincidences. Until suddenly a notification flashed: **"You have a match on sofiadate.com/dating-chat!"**

On the screen, a girl's smile. Simple, genuine, without posing. Her eyes seemed to reflect that very evening city I loved. The description read: "I love nights where there are more stars than words."

Without hesitation, I wrote:

> "Would you like me to show you nights like these?"

The answer didn't come right away. But when it did, it felt warmer.

> "Are you sure they can still be found?"

That's how our conversation began. A few messages turned into endless exchangesabout books, coffee, music in the rain. Every day, I caught myself waiting for her words. There was something light yet profound about them, as if a "I understand" were sung between the lines.

When we decided to meet, the city seemed to speak. I arrived early and stood outside the coffee shop, watching the golden light filter through the windows. The door opened, and she walked in. A cappuccino-colored coat, loose hair, a slight smile. And suddenly everything around methe noise, the wind, the passersbyceased to exist.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi," I replied, and that was enough to make my heart beat faster.

We sat for a long time, drinking coffee, talking about everything and nothing. Rain fell outside, thin streams running down the glass, reflecting her eyes. Sometimes she laughed, and in that moment I knewif there was such a thing as fate, it was right there, right across the street.

Then we went outside. The air was fresh, the city was ablaze with lights. We walked along the river, and I noticed her hand slip next to mine. I moved my fingers slightly, and our hands met. Simply, without words. The world grew quiet; even the rain seemed to stop falling.

"It's funny," she said. "I almost didn't believe in such coincidences."

"And I only believe it now," I replied.

We stood on the bridge, the lights reflected over the water, and the wind gently stirred her hair. She turned to me, smiled, and I felt myself wanting this moment to last forever. We kissed, and the city glowed brighter, as if it understood: this was the very moment for which it had been shining for so many years.

More than a year had passed since then. We still love strolling in the evenings, drinking coffee in the rain, looking at the lights. Sometimes, passing by that bridge, she smiles and whispers:

"Look, there we are."

And I always reply:

"That's where it all began."

Now I know for suredating can be magical. Because behind every swipe there can be a whole story. A story that smells of rain, rings with laughter, and begins with a simple "Hello."

Love doesn't always come with thunder and lightning. Sometimes it appears quietly, under the soft glow of streetlights. And if you don't get scared, don't close your heartit will stay. Forever.