Jule's Return to Germany

June 17, 2022. With a colorful bouquet of gerberas in hand, Jule's favorite flowers, I stood on platform three in Hannover, eagerly awaiting her. Although we had been together for a long time, this moment of waiting felt like we were meeting for the first time. I wondered how Jule had changed after all this time and if she was as excited to see me as I was to see her.

The passing train, which then slowly slowed down, snapped me out of my deep thoughts and brought me back to the present. The doors opened, and a crowd of people poured out of the train with their heavy suitcases and backpacks, filling the entire platform. I looked for Jule, scanning backward and forward along the train. Finally, I spotted her, a girl with short blonde hair, glasses, and two suitcases trailing behind her. I approached her, and my suspicion was confirmed: It was Jule. She looked at the ground until she finally noticed me. She didn't smile, and it felt like she was looking past me.

"Hello Jule," I greeted her and lightly hugged her, while she didn't set down the suitcases to hug me back. "The flowers are for you."

"Oh, thank you! Let's quickly leave the platform so we're not in the way here."

I took her backpack on my shoulders, one of the suitcases in one hand, and held the flowers in the other hand.

"Thank you for your help, Saschi. Is it okay if I'm alone today and unpack my suitcases in peace?" she said as we were on our way to the tram.

"Well, okay, no problem. I'll at least help you carry the suitcases to the tram," I replied, feeling slightly disappointed.

There were still four minutes until the tram arrived. We stood on the platform, and Jule told me about her stressful journey back. But somehow, I couldn't focus on it and let her words wash over me. I wasn't as filled with joy as I had expected when I saw Jule again.

"Alright, Saschi. The tram is coming. You can come visit me on Sunday. I would love that," she said and gave me a kiss on the lips.

"Oh yes, I'd love to come over!" I replied and helped Jule get the suitcases onto the tram.

Jule sat by the window, briefly looking down, and as the tram started, she glanced briefly in my direction so I could wave to her. Then I headed back to Harsum, where my mother picked me up.

In Harsum, I waited another twenty minutes and looked at the gray clouds, reflecting my subdued mood. I considered walking out into the fields right away and recording a voice message for Mara to tell her how my reunion with Jule went.

Finally, Mom returned from work.

"Hello, Saschul. How is Julenka? Did she arrive safely?" my mother asked me in the car.

"Yes, she's doing well, Mom. I'm going to visit her on Sunday. Today and tomorrow, she needs to settle in and unpack her things," I replied, trying to sound as neutral as possible to avoid giving the impression that the reunion didn't go as joyfully as hoped.

"We would all love to see her again!"

"I think she has to work right away on Monday and doesn't have time at first. But on the second of July, there's the wedding, and then she'll come along, and you can see her," I explained.

As we drove home, I sat in silence, feeling that Mom also sensed that something wasn't right in the relationship between Jule and me.