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This light novel is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Bolivia and South Korea. However, the characters, events, and situations portrayed are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This content does not intend to represent or reflect the historical, social, or cultural reality of either country. The author disclaims any legal liability arising from the interpretation of these elements.
Chapter 45 – The Voice in the Silence
45.1. Search
Night had descended unhurriedly over the tropical sky.
The hotel's warm lights turned on little by little, marking the end of a day heavy with emotion.
Ryu stayed in his room for a few more minutes, standing by the window,
mentally reviewing every conversation, every gesture, every doubt.
His hands were clasped behind his back, with a contained tension that wouldn't leave his body.
The following words weighed more on his heart than on his mind.
"I've already made a decision.
I can't allow any mistake to ruin it."
After changing, he left without a sound.
A quick glance at the hallway mirror confirmed his neutral expression.
Not a sign of doubt, but the weight on his shoulders from the pressure he felt to do things right.
He had a clear objective,
find the man from the plaza, the same one who had helped him when he asked Zayra to be his girlfriend.
He felt that, in some way, only he could guide him again...
Now that he needed to take a step further.
***
Meanwhile, Zayra was tired in her cabin, it had been a very long day.
The return trip had been quiet, but she felt she needed some time alone.
A soft weariness weighed on her eyelids, but she didn't want to go to sleep.
Something inside her told her not to move yet.
She sat by the cabin window, without thinking.
In her mind, she was clear that Ryu would leave soon,
and that made her feel more uncomfortable than she wanted to admit.
Suddenly, her gaze fixed on the Toborochi tree.
Imposing like a pink guardian amongst the shadows of the garden.
Without thinking, she left her cabin and walked towards it with a serene pace.
She sat at its roots, like when she was a child and sought answers in the sky.
Leaned her head against the trunk and sleep arrived, deep and effortless.
In her dream, Zayra found herself standing in a suspended space, enveloped by the golden mist of dawn.
The earth breathed beneath her feet,
the trees danced with a life of their own, and a figure formed between the roots and the light.
It wasn't exactly a face, but there was a powerful, ancient sweetness in its presence.
It didn't need to introduce itself.
"He is the destined one, drawn from distant lands by a call you have yet to hear.
It is no mistake only the path you must walk."
Zayra didn't reply.
She only felt the air around her fill with a deep calm.
And the voice continued.
"You are not alone.
The struggle that is coming is tough
But he will know how to hold you when it arrives."
The words vanished like wind through leaves.
Zayra murmured something without realizing it, a sigh more than a phrase.
And as she did, she wondered if it was she who was speaking... or if the voice was still inside.
Zayra didn't know if it was the voice of the god Ñande Yara or her own.
But for the first time, she wasn't afraid.
And so, under the Toborochi, she fell into a deep sleep.
With the stillness of someone resting on a warm cloud, without worrying about the cold or the elements.
As if the earth itself had rocked her in invisible arms.
45.2 – Promises That Weigh on the Soul
The main plaza was enveloped in a warm light.
It was a perfect contrast to the stillness Ryu felt inside.
Flowers hung from the streetlights and the benches looked freshly varnished.
In front of the church, a young woman in a white dress walked arm in arm with her father,
while her mother followed with contained pride.
Everything seemed arranged for a simple ceremony, but one full of love.
Sitting on a nearby bench, in a light gray jacket with a wedding ring shining on his finger,
a middle-aged man watched the scene with bright eyes.
He discreetly touched the watch on his wrist, as if gauging the time, he had been absent from the mass.
Then he adjusted his jacket carefully, maintaining his composure.
The man had a can of beer in his hands and a white bag at his feet.
He smiled from afar watching the church scene while drinking his beer.
Ryu recognized him and walked with measured steps, keeping a firm posture.
Like a CEO entering an important meeting.
In his mind, an inner voice said.
"I can't show too much enthusiasm...."
He man noticed him and smiled broadly.
"Ah, my Korean friend!"
He exclaimed with joy.
"Do you want a beer? This one is unopened, just like last time."
Ryu nodded, accepting the gesture, and sat down next to him.
The man looked at him with a mischievous glance.
"You're wondering why I'm so happy, aren't you?"
And without waiting for an answer, he added.
"My youngest son has decided to get married.
Many couples live together without doing it, but for me, it's essential."
Ryu listened attentively.
"I understand…"
He said, looking towards the empty church door.
His eyes narrowed for an instant, as if evaluating not just the words, but the intention behind them.
"And how did he knew it was the right time?"
He asked, very much in his style.
The man laughed sincerely.
"He simply settled down. And when I knew it was serious.
I told him, 'Now you have to do it properly.'"
The men took a sip of his beer, glanced sideways at Ryu, and realized that he had sought him out for advice.
He felt flattered because, for some reason he didn't know, he really liked the young man despite his few words.
Then, out of nowhere, with a look at the church door and a smile on his face, he said.
"Well... The first thing you do is propose to your sweetheart.
The normal thing here is to take her to dinner at an intimate and beautiful place.
Give her the engagement ring and ask her to marry you."
Ryu lowered his gaze for a second, as if memorizing every word.
He sighed, remembering his own story, and with melancholic eyes, after a pause, he said,
"And then comes the asking for the hand in marriage…"
A silence slipped between them and then he added.
"That's when the groom's parents visit the bride's not mandatory, but symbolic,
showing respect and asking for their blessing, making them feel their opinion matters."
For the first time, Ryu felt that he wasn't a foreigner looking for a place, but a man learning to love as they did.
Suddenly, he frowned slightly, thinking about Zayra.
His fingers unconsciously brushed the can he held in his hands.
Remembering the responsibility, he carried and the woman waiting for him at the end of this path.
He suddenly reflected.
"This isn't just protocol… it's a commitment to her, to her world, to her family."
The man only looked at the church, as if waiting for Ryu to ask him a question.
But he didn't press.
Ryu remained silent, thinking.
"I don't think it's wrong to ask him about Zayra's community…
Besides, if I don't do it now, when will I…?"
He took a deep breath and ventured to ask.
"If the bride is from an indigenous community… is there anything that should be done differently?"
The man looked at him, surprised.
"Oh? Is your girlfriend indigenous?"
Ryu nodded slowly.
The man straightened up, more serious this time.
"It depends on the community.
For example The Chiquitanos Besoró are more open,
but expect respect usually you introduce yourself to the chief and invite him to the wedding."
Ryu tensed at that idea, but said nothing.
He breathed slowly, lowering his head slightly, controlling every muscle so his surprise wouldn't show.
And suddenly he analyzed.
"Wow, so I have to introduce myself to her chief… I must show respect."
The man laughed with his characteristic laugh and calmly added.
"It won't be difficult, but they will observe you closely.
If they notice sincerity and respect, everything will be easier."
One of the man's sons peered out from the church, his face illuminated by the altar lights.
"Dad, we're about to finish! I need you to come in."
He said in a hurry.
The man elegantly adjusted his jacket, like someone returning to duty with a full heart.
Then he looked at Ryu with a broad, genuine smile.
"Well, my dear friend… don't forget to invite me to the wedding."
Ryu nodded, returning the smile with a slight bow of his head.
His lips remained firm, barely curved, reflecting a contained gratitude without losing his composure.
***
He watched him leave with a calm step,
disappearing among the flowers that the breeze gently stirred in front of the church.
He stayed for a moment in the middle of the plaza, motionless, listening to the rustling of the leaves.
Everything was taking shape…
but the hardest part was just beginning.
He turned on his heel and began to walk, with a single question echoing in his chest.
His hands gently closed into fists, as if containing emotion and strategy all at once.
"How do I propose to the woman who has already changed everything… without her seeing it coming?"
Because some promises are not spoken with words, but with the soul.