At some point

Along the way, the nightingale has changed its tune, the wind reversed its direction.
Yet she stood in the exact same spot, as though frozen.
If she could have run away from it all, she would have.

After the obligatory greetings, she avoided him as much as she could.
Even though she was quite sure she missed him.
When he didn't notice, she sneaked covert glances at him.
He appeared thoroughly contented and chirpy though haggard with a faint beard and visible weight loss.

When they finally spoke a little, it was without the usual lightheartedness.
People who didn't know them better would have thought they were strangers.
She's starting to think visiting him is a bad idea.
Perhaps it was all in her mind.
Because she couldn't stand saying goodbye so many times.