Pāhonoa te oro

She nodded, forcing a small smile, as if everything was fine. As if she hadn’t been sitting there for hours, waiting for someone who never came. She stepped outside. The night air felt heavier now. Her phone buzzed. Her heart jumped. She looked down quickly. But it wasn’t him. Just a random notification. And in that moment, it hit her. He wasn’t coming. Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Not ever. There was no explanation. No apology. No goodbye. Just silence.