They were standing outside her apartment, digging into each other's eyes. Ben's stare fixing her for so long, that she felt a sudden electricity thudding through her spine.

"Ben, is there... Something wrong with my face?" She asked him, slightly kneading her face.

He shook his head to disprove. "No, nothing's wrong. Sorry about that."

"By the way, thank you for driving me home safe." Rey smiled with glowing appreciation on her face.

"You're welcome."

"Uh, do you want to come inside for a while?" She asked him, delightedly. "Have some coffee or anything you'd like. I know you're starving since last night." And treats him to a coy smile of invitation.

Rey wanted to offer him a little thanksgiving, as a sincere thanks for his generosity. And the fact that they barely know each other, this would be a good opportunity for a fresh start.

"Well, that would be great." He simpered.

She turned the key and opened the door to her apartment. Once they entered, Ben stood next to her, closing the door behind him.

"So, welcome to my little and humble abode." Rey made her way to the kitchen, with him following her from behind.

Ben silently stood by the counter beside her, as his eyes gently roam across the room, incognizant of how someone like Rey could even cope with living in solitude throughout the years. "I'm sorry to ask but, how could you even manage to live on your own like this?" He asked her, inquisitively.

"I don't know..." Rey responses in innocence, while preparing some sandwiches and coffee for them to imbibe. "Sometimes, it makes me wonder if I'm actually meant to be alone all my life." She gazed and sighed despondently.

"You're not. And it's likely unfair to think about. You don't deserve it." Ben pointed out. "The misery, pain, bereft."

He was right about her and everything, she thought. About the agony and desolation of her childhood — from the abandonment and isolation from her parents, to all the suffering she've gone through with Unkar Plutt throughout the years. But there was something more than that. And it all took her the tenacity and courage to do so. "I guess you're right. But it wasn't pure pain, there was... Purpose. And that purpose made me who I am right now."

"A strong-willed and independent woman, that's who you are."

They looked fixedly at each other's eyes one more time. The solicitude was there. The warmth and empathy in Ben's words strike through her in a caressing motion. Each and every second passes by, but it was holding them together.

"Uh, I think I should..."

"Yeah. Let me help you." Ben assisted Rey with the food, as they continued knowing more of each other.

"Let me be the one to ask this time." Rey uttered with a spirit of inquiry. "About your family, your mom and dad."

"We're primarily the same." Ben said.

"They left you?"

"Not exactly. It's just that..." A streak of discomfort parades him drastically. "They always had these arguments or contretemps ever since I was little, and it all made me feel deeply dejected."

Rey couldn't reckon Ben's personal adversities, that she sees him as someone who's just simple and carefree. She didn't expect him to be much alike her, but in a different situation. Though, they both feel grief from their own miseries and circumstances. And that made it clear to Rey, why they can closely relate to each other; with all the deep and stirring conversations they had since last night.

"I hate to admit," Ben added. "They weren't the best parents one could have."

"No one's perfect, Ben. Don't worry, I feel it, too. But I'm sure they tried their best to be the parents you've yearn for." Rey know how and what he feels. They both do. She even thinks that Ben's more fortunate than her. He had his family; the belongingness she desired all her life, but she failed to possess. "You just don't see it yet. But you're lucky to have someone like them in your life. Trust me."

"I don't know, I — it doesn't matter now. My father died years ago due to lung cancer since I was young. And everything went different. My mother found someone new. He was far from my expectations, and he has a son. My mother left for a one-month business trip, and I was left alone with them. During those days, they treated me unfairly and manipulated me. They made me feel like I'm a failure and a huge disgrace. To them, I haven't done anything right. And then, a month has already passed by but, my mother didn't return. Some authorities said she died on a plane crash, yet they weren't able to show us her body. I haven't given up on my hopes that she's still alive. And I never knew that I had to resist such a manipulative and unscrupulous life. It's been tearing me apart."

Ben directed his gaze away from Rey, trying to hide the emotions. A tear was forming in his eyes, but he wouldn't let it fall. He won't let her see him like this. But he couldn't resist it, that a tear streamed down his face.

"Ben, I'm so sorry." Rey felt sorrow and anguish for Ben. He already had the most priceless entity in someone's life, but it all faded away. She could tell how much he regretted his life, with almost everything that was purloined from him.

"I know you've come through a lot. We both do." Rey took Ben's hand dramatically. "And I want to let you know that we're both in this together."

They both contemplated each other in endearment. Rey seized him by the wrist, pulling him against her. She then cuddled him in the folds of her arms in comfort and ease, away from bereavement.

"I have to leave." Ben uttered blankly.

He strolled out the door and there she was again, alone. The moment Ben left her apartment, Rey headed straight to her room, and laid on her bed, letting out a long sigh. Gazing at the ceiling with weariness in her eyes, she was trying to let everything sink in. Having compassionate, and benevolent life-changing conversations, where she found belongingness, and was able to set free the pain and solitude within her for at least once in her life — with Ben, whom she didn't expect to be so sincere and upright with all the emotions deep inside of him.