Another story

Chapter 2 part 2: Memories and promises

"Sorry for dragging you along," she said as her eyes met mine.

"I don't mind," I replied.

"Well, if you say so," she said with a reluctant smile. I know a part of her feels like she's forcing me in some way, but in truth, I enjoyed the time we spent together. Despite that, her smile when we were strolling around the stalls was genuine. It seems like she missed the feeling of engaging in these types of activities. I suppose there are things people hold dear that I can't understand no matter how much I want to. What can I say? Curiosity doesn't spare anyone.

"I think I see a shrine on the top of that hill; you think we should go there and pray for good luck?" She asked me

"If you want to?" i replied

Without hesitation, she grabbed my hand and ran to the shrine. We reached it when the darkness enveloped the place. The shrine is surrounded by a plethora of bamboo trees. It looks rundown and abandoned, but somehow the lights from the candles around still shine faintly in the darkness of the night. She found multiple pieces of paper with various colors and a pen beside them.

"How convenient!" she said excitedly as she picked them up and took a red-colored piece, wrote something in it, and then tied it to the bamboo tree that is the closest to the shrine.

"Would you like to try as well?" She asked me, offering me some pieces of paper with multiple colors as I was watching her.

"Alright," I said as I took a white piece of paper, wrote something in it as well, and tied it next to her piece.

"Oooh, what did you write in it?" She asked me with curiosity in her eyes.

"It wouldn't have any meaning if I told you, right?" I replied to her with a small smile.

"I suppose so," she said with a note of disappointment in her voice.

"By the way...thanks," she said as she gave me a yellow piece of paper "for everything."

She told me to not open it until we bid farewell, to which I complied. We eventually sat down at the shrine entrance, looking down at the village lights below. How strange... I know the lights are fake. They are merely props, and yet they look... different.

"It looks so...lively right?" She said, staring down the hazy lights below, "I hope everyone at home is ok."

"Everyone at home?" i replied

"yeah. I have been away for so long by now. I miss them. A lot.. and now... all I have are memories of them, which is the only thing I have that kept me going." she said, seemingly on the verge of tears. "This story is about love... and it will end with love, but... I suppose I can't experience that love after all. I'm just... tired... Sometimes I wish I didn't have to protect anything. You don't have to fight for anything, and instead, just being a normal girl who only has normal problems to worry about."

There it is again. that annoying feeling when you know you were supposed to say something. yet your throat is seemingly blocked. I hate it, I really do, and I can't seem to be free from it... No, not this time.

"You are wrong," I told her.

"eh ?" She lifted her head away from my shoulders to look me in the eyes. seemingly hopeful I can prove her wrong.

"You have friends at home, right?"

"yes?"

"They do love you, and that's a fact; that's why you called them your very close friends. Don't say you can't experience love when all of them are waiting for you. day by day in the years you are gone. The day you finally returned to them will be filled with laughter, good food, and hugs. I'm sure they all are talking about you on nights like these, so never let go of the hope in your eyes, because eventually you'll see them again."

"You really think so?" She asked, and the purple star in her eyes shines brighter than ever.

"I believe so, and sometimes. Faith is enough. And even if I'm wrong and there's no one to greet you, I promise to you. One day, when you return, I'll take you to the real festival, and we will have a good time. So never stop fighting for what you are fighting for. alright ?" I spoke with a gentle smile.

"Mhm," she nodded, raising her pinky. "promise?"

"Promise," I said as my pinky entwined with hers.

"You know what?" She smiled at me, "I would love to try that lily tea of yours now."

"Sure, I'll make them when we get home."

"Thanks, but for now, I want to sit here for a while longer if it's ok for you."

"Take your time," I said as she slowly rested her head on my shoulder, closing her eyes, she seemed. At peace, I suppose letting her sleep for a while is ok; I'll wake her up in a few minutes. Sleep is important after all.