Ghelia had lived her entire life on a quiet, weathered island where poverty clung to every home like the salt in the air. The island was isolated, its people hardened by years of struggle. Ghelia didn't know much about her past-her earliest memories were blurry, as if hidden behind a veil. All she knew was this island and its endless cycle of survival.
One day, everything changed. A boy appeared out of nowhere, stumbling into the village with no recollection of who he was or how he had gotten there. His clothes were tattered, his hair wild, and his eyes-his eyes carried a deep confusion that Ghelia couldn't ignore.
He didn't know his name, but over time, the name Selvy emerged, like a faint echo returning to him. Ghelia offered to help him, and before she knew it, they were inseparable. Together, they wandered the island, discovering its hidden paths and quiet corners. Selvy was different from anyone she'd ever met. He had a kindness to him, a gentleness that Ghelia found herself drawn to. Yet there was a sadness in him, something broken that mirrored the feeling Ghelia had long buried in herself.
As the months passed, their bond deepened. They would sit under the trees by the shore, talking late into the night, sharing their dreams and their fears. And even though Ghelia didn't say it out loud, she began to fall for him.
She tried to fight the feelings, knowing there was more to Selvy's past than either of them understood, but it was no use. She cared for him, deeply.
One afternoon, as they rested in the shade of a tree, a girl from the village named Thany approached them. Her eyes were sharp, her expression serious.
"Someone's been looking for him," Thany said, pointing at Selvy. "You got a call."
"A call? Who's looking for him?" Ghelia asked, her heart starting to race.
"It's from a girl," Thany replied. "I think her name's Kait?"
The name seemed to awaken something in Selvy. His eyes widened, and Ghelia could see the shock ripple through him. "K-Kait?" he stammered, his voice filled with disbelief.
"Yeah," Thany said casually.
Who is this girl? Kait?
"She seemed desperate." Thany added.
"Where is she?" Selvy asked, standing up abruptly. His urgency was palpable.
Thany shrugged. "I don't know. She didn't say."
"Ciao!" she said, walking off, leaving them with more questions than answers.
Selvy rushed to the telephone, trying to type the number, but forgot that they don't know who to call.
There was no number in the start. So how did it happen?
Ghelia watched him, feeling a knot tighten in her chest. She didn't know who Kait was, but from the look on Selvy's face, it was clear this girl meant something-something important.
Just then, the phone rang. Startled, Ghelia picked it up.
"Hello?" she said cautiously.
"Who is this?" asked a voice on the other end, trembling with emotion.
"Are you looking for Selvy?" Ghelia asked, cutting straight to the point.
"Y-yes... how did you know?" the girl on the other line asked, her voice cracking.
"It doesn't matter," Ghelia replied softly, then hung up. The girl-Kait-was here, on the island. They had to find her.
Ghelia and Selvy searched everywhere. They combed through the village, trekked through the dense forest, and even wandered near the canal, where the sound of sobbing echoed eerily through the tunnel. But it was nothing-just the wind, or maybe a rat. As the sun began to set, they arrived at a small seaside resort at the edge of the island.
Selvy froze when he saw her.
Ghelia followed his gaze to a girl standing by the shore, her back turned. Before she could say anything, Selvy ran past her, straight into Kait's arms.
Ghelia's heart sank. She didn't want to believe it, but seeing them together made it undeniable. Selvy wasn't just remembering Kait-he loved her. The realization hit Ghelia like a punch to the chest. And worse, Kait wasn't just a memory, she is more than that.
As Ghelia stood there, reeling from the shock, another figure approached-a girl with a warm smile. She had been following them, and now she stepped forward, introducing herself.
"I'm Tara, Selvy's sister," she said gently. "I've been wanting to speak with you."
"Why? And how did you know me? "
Tara led Ghelia to a small cottage near the resort, her demeanor calm but kind. Once inside, she handed Ghelia an old, worn book. "This belonged to our family," Tara explained as she sat down beside her. "It's filled with memories-some happy, some... not."
Ghelia turned the pages slowly, seeing drawings, old movie posters, and stories written in fading ink. "Do you like these movies?" Tara asked, her voice soft.
Ghelia nodded, unsure of what to say.
"Which one is your favorite?" Tara asked, and Ghelia pointed at a picture, though she wasn't entirely sure why.
Tara smiled faintly. "I liked that one too."
The conversation shifted as Tara turned to the middle of the book. "This part... it's about the island," she said, pointing to the page.
Ghelia's hands trembled as she read the words. It told the story of a tragedy that had happened years ago-a mansion fire that had killed several people. The walls had been scrawled with strange writing, and in the ashes, someone had drawn the image of a little girl.
Ghelia's heart began to race as memories she had long buried started to surface. She had been so young, too young to fully understand, but now it all came back. The fire. The screams. Her parents...
Her parents had died in that fire. She had been the little girl in the story.
Tears filled her eyes as the weight of the realization crashed down on her. She had blocked out the memories for so long, but now they were back, raw and painful.
Tara placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry for what happened to your parents," she said quietly. "I can't imagine what it must have been like for you."
Ghelia wiped at her tears, her voice shaking. "I... I didn't remember. I didn't know."
"You were just a child," Tara said softly. "But you survived. You're strong."
Ghelia tried to smile, but the grief was too much. "I had to survive. There was no other choice."
Tara's gaze softened. "You've been taking care of my brother all this time. For that, I'm grateful. But it's time for him to go back now. He has a life waiting for him-with Kait."
The words stung, but Ghelia nodded. She had known, deep down, that this moment was coming. But knowing didn't make it hurt any less.
Tara hesitated for a moment, then said, "You could come with us, you know. You don't have to stay here. We could help you, give you a new start."
Ghelia shook her head, her heart heavy. "This island... it's my home. I can't leave."
Tara sighed, understanding but saddened. "If you ever change your mind, the door will always be open."
With that, Tara stood and left, leaving Ghelia alone with the old book. The memories of her parents, her childhood, and the fire all pressed down on her until the tears she had held back began to flow freely.
She sobbed, the pain of the past finally catching up with her, and as she cried, she realized that she had fallen for Selvy. But it didn't matter-he belonged to someone else now.
Through her tears, she saw Selvy standing in the doorway, watching her with sorrow in his eyes. And in that moment, Ghelia knew that despite everything, she had to let him go.
Her heart, broken and fragile, would have to heal on this island-the only home she had ever known.
