It was a light autumn day, and everyone was training hard. Denise got a call and excused herself to pick it up. It was her mother.
"Denise, I have some sad news. We need to head to Canada for a month. One of our relatives has passed away."
"Oh no, Mom. That's terrible. I'll make the necessary arrangements."
Denise ended the call and walked back to where the others were training. She spotted Uno and motioned for him to join her in the changing room.
"Uno, we need to talk," she said, her voice tinged with worry.
"Sure, what's up?" Uno asked, curious, as he began to change out of his training gear.
Denise took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. "I just got a call from my mom. One of our relatives passed away, and we need to go to Canada for a month."
Uno, now dressed in his navy blue suit, paused as he adjusted his tie. "I'm so sorry, Denise. That's awful. Do you need any help with travel arrangements?"
Denise, changing into her semi-formal attire—a navy blue pencil skirt and blazer over a white blouse—shook her head. "I think we'll manage. It's just... I can't believe this is happening."
She slipped on her navy blue high-cut Converse shoes, matching Uno's style. They both stood there in silence for a moment, absorbing the gravity of the situation.
"When are you leaving?" Uno asked softly.
"Tomorrow morning. I need to head over to my parents' house tonight to help them prepare."
Uno reached out, pulling Denise into a tight embrace. "I'm really sorry you have to go through this, Denise. I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Uno," she replied, her voice muffled against his shoulder.
They stood there for a moment longer, neither wanting to let go. Eventually, Denise pulled back slightly, looking up at Uno with a sad smile. "I'll call you as soon as I get there."
Uno nodded, his eyes filled with concern. "Please do. And if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me."
Denise gathered her things and headed to the door. Just before she left, she turned and gave Uno one last hug. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
"You too, Denise. I'll be thinking about you," Uno whispered, holding her tightly.
Denise pulled away reluctantly and walked out the door. As he watched her leave, a wave of sadness washed over him, knowing how much he would miss her presence.
When Uno returned to their shared apartment, the emptiness hit him hard. The silence was overwhelming. He sat down on the couch, trying to hold back his tears, but it was no use. He buried his face in his hands and let the tears flow freely, mourning the absence of his beloved Denise and the grief she was facing.
Denise drove to her parents' house, the familiar streets blurring past her as her mind raced. The news still felt surreal, and she struggled to grasp the reality of the situation. When she arrived, her parents were already busy making preparations.
Her mother greeted her at the door, eyes red from crying. "I'm glad you're here, Denise. There's so much to do."
Denise hugged her mother tightly. "I'm here to help, Mom. We'll get through this together."
Inside, the house was filled with a somber energy. Her father was on the phone with various relatives, organizing travel plans and accommodations. Denise joined her mother in the kitchen, where they began to prepare a meal. The rhythmic chopping of vegetables provided a small comfort, a semblance of normalcy amid the chaos.
