Letters From Afar

Chapter 2 - Life Apart

The days passed slowly after Rosaline's departure. Gerald tried to adjust to his new reality-a life without her by his side. Everything felt different, as if the world around him had lost its color. He busied himself with work and everyday routines, but there was an emptiness he couldn't ignore.

Every corner of the city was filled with memories. The park where they used to sit and laugh now seemed just like any other empty park. The café where they had spent hours talking was now just a place filled with the clatter of cups and spoons, devoid of meaning. Gerald often found himself wandering aimlessly, lost in thought, wondering what Rosaline was doing at that very moment.

The distance between them felt farther than mere kilometers. Although they messaged each other often, something was missing in their conversations. Words couldn't capture all the emotions he was feeling. Video calls gave glimpses, but they couldn't replace the warmth of an in-person gaze or the gentle touch of Rosaline's hand.

Gerald would stare at his phone, looking at the last picture they took together before Rosaline left. They were smiling, standing side by side at the airport. That photo had become a reminder of the happy times that now felt so distant. Even though they had promised to stay connected, Gerald sensed an invisible wall slowly growing between them.

Meanwhile, Rosaline's life in Europe seemed filled with activity. Every message she sent was packed with stories of her new life-meeting new friends, busy classes, and small adventures in her new city. Gerald was happy to hear all of it, but behind the smile he put on while reading her messages, there was a growing unease. Would her new life cause her to forget what they had shared?

One evening, after a long day, Gerald sat on his apartment balcony, staring at the quiet night sky. The cool breeze brushed against his face, offering a faint comfort, but it couldn't ease the constant feeling of longing that weighed on him. He opened his phone and typed a simple message to Rosaline: "I miss you."

It took a while before the message was answered. When his phone finally buzzed, he immediately checked her response: "I miss you too, Gerald. But we have to stay strong, okay? This is only temporary."

Gerald sighed deeply, trying to convince himself that Rosaline's words were true. But the longer they lived apart, the more he felt that distance wasn't the only challenge they were facing. He harbored a quiet fear-that their feelings might fade with time, no matter how hard he tried to hold on.

That night, Gerald closed his eyes, hoping time would pass quickly. All he could do was hope that when Rosaline returned to Indonesia, they would find a way to overcome the distance that had once separated them, and that the love they shared would remain as strong as when they first met.