Chapter 2: A Promise at the End of the Road
That night, Rey stood in front of his mother's small wooden house. A worn-out backpack rested on his shoulders, and in his hand was a piece of paper—the address of a factory where he hoped to find work.
His mother, Mrs. Siti, hugged him tightly.
"Be careful, son. You're all I have. Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
Rey nodded slowly.
"Pray for me, Mom. I have to prove that a village boy can succeed too."
In the distance, Aurel came running. She was out of breath, her face soaked with tears.
"Rey! Don't leave without saying goodbye again!"
Rey smiled, even though his eyes were turning red. He knew Aurel would come.
"I'm sorry, Aurel. I didn't want to make it harder for you. But I have to go. This is the only way."
Aurel grabbed Rey's hand.
"How long, Rey? A week? A month? A year?"
"I don't know..." Rey looked up at the sky.
"But I'll come back... when I've become a man worthy of you."
Aurel bit her lip. Tears streamed down silently. She pulled out a small bracelet from her pocket.
"Take this, Rey. So you'll always remember me."
Rey accepted the bracelet. A simple red thread—but to him, it felt like gold.
"Thank you, Aurel... I'll never forget."
That night, Rey boarded an old bus bound for the capital. Aurel stood by the roadside, watching the taillights grow smaller... and smaller... until they disappeared.
And from that night on, Aurel waited.
Day by day.
Week by week.
But not a single message ever came.