Many hours had passed, and the storm had finally subsided and the morning began. The black, heavy clouds were slowly giving way. Lily, half-awake with her eyes barely open, blinked through the haze of fatigue. Her body ached, but something felt different. She was no longer at the top of the hill but had somehow made it down into the valley like someone had carried her all the way down to the valley.She stirred slightly, feeling the tenderness of her bandaged right leg.
Someone had carefully treated her wound. As her vision adjusted, she noticed the man from earlier sitting next to her, hunched over, reading the letters she had carried with her. His usual stoic expression was now softened, his face revealing a complex mix of emotions. When he read the first letter, there was a noticeable shift-a subtle blend of sorrow and happiness in his eyes, as if the words stirred a deep memory. He continued reading the second letter, and to Lily's surprise, a genuine smile broke across his face. For the first time, there was warmth in his expression.As he looked up and saw Lily stirring, he let out a small laugh, his face still illuminated by the gentle smile.
"You're awake," he said, his voice now softer, almost kind, as if the letters had somehow bridged the gap between them. Lily opens her eyes fully and sits next to the man. His voice breaks the silence as he finally introduces himself, "I'm Samuel". Her shock and confusion are almost palpable, but before she can speak, he gently gestures for her to stop and says, "Look at this", nodding toward the view ahead. Before them lies a breathtaking scene. A vast field of tulips stretches out as far as the eye can see, their vibrant colors painting the landscape.
Stripes of pink, yellow, red, and white tulips and lilies stand in perfect rows, creating a natural masterpiece. The flowers sway gently, their colors even more vivid under the dramatic contrast of the sky. Above, the once-stormy sky is still mostly covered with thick, dark clouds, remnants of the earlier storm. However, a single hole in the clouds allows a ray of sunlight to break through, casting its warm, golden light directly onto the tulips and lilies. The sunlight moves slowly, illuminating the field row by row, as if nature itself is orchestrating a grand reveal. In the distance, a large, towering windmill stands like a silent guardian over the field, its old, worn blades slowly turning in the faint breeze.
Behind it, the silhouettes of bare trees create a stark contrast against the vibrant field of flowers. The scene feels surreal as both peaceful and otherworldly at the same time. With the heavy clouds still looming overhead and the sun's rays touching the flowers one by one, the whole valley seems to come alive. The interplay of light and dark, the richness of the tulips, and the steady presence of the windmill make the moment almost magical, a calming sight after the storm. As the dark clouds begin to drift away, the single ray of sunlight grows stronger, spreading across the landscape. Slowly, the entire valley starts to bask in the golden light.
The once-shadowed tulips now glow in full brilliance-rows of pink, yellow, red, and white stretch endlessly, their colors even more vibrant under the clear sunlight.Samuel sits quietly, taking in the sight, while Lily, still processing everything, feels an overwhelming sense of calm wash over her. The valley, once stormy and gray, is now fully illuminated and bathed with the sunlight . As they both quietly marvel at the beauty unfolding before them, Samuel breaks the silence. "Every morning, at dawn," he begins softly, his voice carrying a hint of emotion, "I come here and pick these flowers." He gestures toward the colorful field before them. "I take them up to the graveyard... to her".
Lily listens, her heart heavy yet calm in the presence of this serene moment. Samuel turns to her, his eyes no longer cold, but filled with a mix of gratitude and sorrow. "I should thank you," he says, his voice steady but low. "For bringing this letter. I should have stopped thinking about the death of her as a path to find my existence,I was lying to myself,I didn't lose everything yet,I have many more people in my life,This letter is the proof.Thank you,Lily" Lily looks down, still feeling the weight of the letter in her heart. The storm in her mind slowly clears, much like the storm that had passed over the valley.
YOU ARE READING
Lily's Letter
RomanceThe story is set in the Victorian era, where we witness a 19-year-old, Lily, fall in love with a boy named Owen and the emotional journey she goes through before sending her love letter to Owen, who is at war.
