Epilogue
Elina
Three months later
The curtains of the open kitchen window sway gently in the wind. The scent of charcoal from the grill wafts in, mixing with the lively music and the joyful laughter of our guests. Half the village is here today. Noah's coworkers, Maya, Josh, and even my parents. I wish Aaron had come too to celebrate with us. But even though the diminishing pressure from my parents has dampened his rebellion against the world, his path to recovery is still long. It will be a while, if ever, until he can join in the festivities like the others.
With a bittersweet tinge of melancholy, I observe through the window as our guests raise their glasses to each other and engage in lively conversations, partly in their typical boisterous Tyrolean dialect and partly in Viennese slang, sharing news about Semmtal and the big city. It's exactly the kind of hustle and bustle that I have always loved. But today, not only the excitement but also the love for nature has a special place in my heart.
Smiling to myself, I lower my gaze, slice the last zucchini, and let the slices glide into the marinade. Then I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and look around.
On the kitchen counter, plates are piled with meat, cheese, vegetables, and, of course, marshmallows for our barbecue. The dining table is filled with drinks eagerly waiting to be consumed. I just have to dress the salads, and then we can get started.
I turn to the window and gaze outside. There, in the midst of our nearly two hundred guests, is Noah.
With a wonderfully liberated laugh, he places his arm around Helene's shoulders in a friendly manner. I can't hear what he's saying, but I know he's doing well. Since he saved me from the gorge, I hardly recognize him. He's even warmer, more generous, and more helpful than I could have ever imagined.
He has left the darkness behind. A heavy burden has been lifted from him. Not least because the day after we reunited, I confessed to him that there is no better home for me in this world than Semmtal. I want to spend the rest of my life happily with him here.
As if the man of my dreams senses my gaze, he now lifts his eyes. His smile becomes even brighter, and although the sun sets behind the mountain lake, casting a gentle orange light over the surroundings, I feel as if it has just risen for us.
We gaze at each other.
I silently form an "I love you" with my lips.
He mirrors my gesture.
Then he bids Helene farewell with a friendly nod and makes his way toward the house. Toward me.
Soon, I will be in his arms. Although we have thoroughly enjoyed our togetherness in the past months, I still can't get enough of it. Filled with anticipation, I take a deep breath. At that very moment, Hanna steps through the door.
"Do you need any help?" She eagerly rolls up the sleeves of her sweater. Suddenly, her expression turns wistful. "Your cheeks are glowing."
That's quite possible. "Because I can hardly believe my happiness," I truthfully reply.
I can see her swallow hard. Her fingers intertwine with each other. "You two are a perfect couple."
"Who would have thought that I would find the love of my life at the end of the world?" I chuckle, turning away to prepare the tomato salad. And as I reach for the salt shaker, I feel like I'm floating inches above the ground.
"Surely, he will soon ask you to marry him," Hanna says in a strange tone, causing me to turn back to her immediately.
I've never seen her so gloomy. "Hey, what's...?"
In an instant, she forces a smile, lifting the corners of her mouth. "And then you'll start your own family."
I can tell how hard she's trying to pretend to be happy. In reality, she seems to be feeling something entirely different.
Longing, perhaps. Or sadness?
Suddenly, it dawns on me how little I know about Hanna. Since I've known her, she has always stood by my side. But she has never let me see what's going on inside her. And I haven't asked, because I've been too preoccupied with myself. I instinctively study her more closely.
What is weighing so heavily on her soul?
As if she can sense my thoughts, she defensively raises her hand. "I'm incredibly happy for both of you." She pulls me into her arms.
I surrender to the embrace. "We've only beentogether for a few months. It's not going to happen that quickly," I remind her even though the idea of marrying Noah certainly appeals to me.
"What's not happening quickly?" Noah asks. He must have quietly entered the kitchen.
