Between our hands

Chapter 9: The First Steps into the Unknown.

The long-awaited day was fast approaching. The Georges family was now on the brink of crossing a crucial threshold, transitioning from a familiar life in the French countryside to an adventure in a distant kingdom, rich in mysteries and challenges. The final days of preparation had been marked by a controlled frenzy, where every detail had to be carefully arranged to ensure a smooth transition. The farm, once full of life and comfort, was gradually emptying. The furniture was disassembled, personal belongings were carefully packed, and the animals were quarantined to ensure their safety and well-being during the journey.

Maëlle, who had always been deeply attached to her homeland, felt a poignant mix of sadness and nostalgia. Every inch of the farm represented a piece of her story, a fragment of her life and memories. The sunlit autumn fields seemed to offer her a final farewell before her departure. The warm colors of autumn, with their shades of red and gold, enveloped the landscape in a bittersweet beauty. Maëlle spent time in the pastures, fields, and stables, saying goodbye to every place that had marked her life.

That morning, Maëlle decided to take one last horseback ride with Pauline, her lifelong friend. Pauline, a comforting figure since childhood, had been a constant in her life. They rode together through the meadows, the cool wind brushing against their faces. Ely and Summer, Maëlle's dogs, accompanied them, joyfully running by their side, their tails wagging in rhythm with their stride. The gallop of the horses felt like a familiar melody, an echo of the peaceful life they would soon leave behind.

"I’m going to miss you so much, Maëlle," murmured Pauline, her eyes fixed on the horizon, her voice trembling with sadness.

Maëlle, tears in her eyes, replied softly, "I’ll miss you too, Pauline. But this isn’t a final goodbye. I’ll be back. We’ll see each other soon."

Upon returning to the farm, Maëlle took time to fully dedicate herself to her animals. Each stroke given to her cow, Nina, and every exchanged glance with her goats was filled with poignant emotion. The goats, as they were accustomed to, followed her everywhere, still unaware that they were about to cross an entire continent. The evening that followed was marked by a solemn atmosphere, a gentle melancholy, as the family prepared for the big departure. The final preparations were carried out in relative calm, a moment of tranquility before the tumult of the journey ahead.

In Paris, Victor was in a café he had frequented since his teenage years. This café, with its walls covered in photos and memories, represented a symbolic meeting point for him and his friends. The small, improvised celebration organized in his honor was an attempt to mark the transition to this new stage of his life while honoring the past. Laughter and conversation flowed freely, but an underlying gravity tinged the exchanges. Every shared anecdote, every toast raised, was charged with a sense of ending and renewal.

Jean, a loyal friend, placed a comforting hand on Victor's shoulder. "No matter where you are, you’ll always be one of us," he said, his voice filled with deep sincerity and emotion. The other friends, while trying to maintain a light atmosphere, also expressed their support through warm words and gestures. The atmosphere was filled with promises of eternal friendship, despite the distances and changes to come.

Victor, although touched by these warm farewells, felt a wave of conflicting emotions. Each hug, each word of encouragement, added to the complexity of his feelings. He was aware that this departure marked not only the end of an important chapter in his life but also the beginning of a new adventure filled with uncertainties. The discussions lingered late into the night, friends sharing memories and expressing hope for the future. The goodbyes were tinged with a sweet sadness, mingled with anticipation for a promising future.

Departure day arrived with startling speed, and Victor and Maëlle were the first to leave. At Charles de Gaulle Airport, the atmosphere was charged with a mix of emotions. The Georges family found themselves surrounded by a crowd of passengers, but for them, every detail of the moment seemed imbued with particular significance. The faces, marked by the fatigue of final preparations and the anxiety of the unknown, reflected a determined resolve. Victoria and Samuel, surrounded by their children, ensured that everything was in order for the departure. The transport crates for the animals were carefully checked, the final documents were verified, and the last goodbyes were exchanged.

Ely and Summer, placed in their transport crates, looked at Maëlle with questioning eyes. Their silent loyalty was a source of comfort during this transitional period. Maëlle leaned down to offer them strokes and comforting words, aware that their well-being was essential not only for them but also for herself. The departure was a moment of separation, not only from France but also from the habits and certainties that had shaped their lives up to that point.

The farewells to family were simple but deeply meaningful. Samuel, the grandfather, hugged Maëlle with tenderness mixed with palpable gravity. "Take care of yourself... and of Victor," he murmured, his voice vibrating with emotion. Samuel's eyes, filled with pride and worry, seemed to convey all the love and trust he had in her. Maëlle nodded, touched by the sincere affection expressed by her grandfather. Her mother, Marie, took her in for a warm embrace, tears in her eyes. "We’ll see each other soon," she murmured, her voice trembling but full of hope. Although they would reunite with family later, these farewell moments marked the beginning of a new era for them all.

Once aboard the plane, the hum of the engines increased in intensity, and the ground vibrated beneath their feet as the aircraft began to roll down the runway. As the plane took off, a mix of excitement and sadness washed over Maëlle. The blue sky above the clouds seemed to stretch infinitely, but all Maëlle could see was an echo of her old life, with memories becoming increasingly distant. She found solace in the relative calm of her seat by the window. Watching the airport slowly shrink into a small dot below, she felt a wave of conflicting emotions: excitement, sadness, anxiety, and a deep sense of loss.

Familiar landscapes slowly dissolved into the horizon, taking with them a part of herself—France, her farm, and the faces of her loved ones. Victor, sitting beside her, noticed her silence and gently placed his hand over hers. "Everything will be okay," he said in a calm and reassuring voice, his presence providing valuable support amidst Maëlle's emotional turmoil. "We’re doing this together." His words, though simple, were imbued with the conviction that they could overcome challenges together.

The flight was long and punctuated by silent reflections. Each family member seemed absorbed in their thoughts, the weight of the impending change pressing heavily upon them. Conversations were rare and often interrupted by moments of solitary contemplation. Victor, despite his apparent calmness, was equally concerned. The weight of the responsibilities awaiting him, as well as the inherent challenges of their new life, suddenly felt very real. He chose to remain silent, focusing on the hope and determination that fueled his spirit.

As they approached their destination, the plane began its descent. The view of the desert, stretching endlessly below them, abruptly reminded them of the reality of their new home. The golden dunes and arid expanses seemed infinite, a striking contrast to the lush landscapes they had left behind. The hot and inhospitable land was a stark reminder of the foreign environment they were about to enter. The vastness of the desert felt almost overwhelming, a reminder that their journey was just beginning.

The landing was smooth, but the emotional shock was immediate. As soon as they stepped off the plane, the dry, warm air of the tarmac enveloped them. The foreign landscape, so different from the meadows they had left, struck their senses poignantly. The smell of sand, the distant sounds of the city, and the intense sunlight created an atmosphere that was both enchanting and intimidating. The colors, sounds, and scents were all new, each element contributing to a sensory experience that marked the beginning of their new life.

They were welcomed by a local delegation, who guided them through the arrival formalities. The Georges family, although tired and still slightly disoriented, was polite and respectful, impressed by the welcoming ceremony and the first impressions of their new land. Conversations in Arabic, local customs, and infrastructures seemed both fascinating and bewildering.

As the first steps into this foreign territory were taken, the Georges family realized the magnitude of the transition they had undertaken. France, with its familiar landscapes, friends, and family, now felt like a distant memory. However, a new adventure lay ahead, filled with promises and challenges. The Arab kingdom, with its traditions, landscapes, and people, was now their reality.

The Georges family, with hearts full of hope and determined minds, moved forward into the unknown, ready to write the first chapters of a new story. They were aware that each step would be marked by courage, adaptation, and a determination to make a difference. Their journey, although difficult, was also the beginning of a new hope for themselves and those they would serve. The prospect of a new life, though laden with challenges, also offered the hope of a better future where they could, together, turn difficulties into opportunities for the good of the new kingdom and its inhabitants.