Miles Apart, Hearts Together

Chapter 7: The Waiting Game

The week that followed was filled with messages, video calls, and the familiar feeling of longing that had begun to settle into Amara's heart. Though it had only been a few months since she and Karim first began talking, it felt like they had known each other forever. The words they exchanged now carried a weight that she couldn't ignore, and every video message, every conversation, only strengthened the bond between them.

It was late one evening when Amara received another video message from Karim. She had just finished a long day at school, her mind still buzzing with the usual teenage stresses, but when she saw his name on her phone screen, a smile immediately tugged at her lips. She felt like he had a way of cutting through her busy thoughts, making everything feel a little brighter, even after a tiring day.

She hit "play" and immediately found herself swept into another moment in his world. The video started with a wide view of the Mediterranean coast, the sun slowly sinking into the horizon, casting the sky in shades of pink and orange. The camera zoomed in, and there he was, sitting on a bench near the water, his eyes focused on the view, his face soft with thought.

"Amara," he began, his voice carrying the same warmth that had become so familiar to her. "I'm here, just thinking about you, and how much I want you to see this for yourself. The sea here... it's different. It's not like the beaches back home, but it's beautiful in its own way. I think you'd love it." He paused, his gaze drifting towards the setting sun before meeting the camera again. "I keep imagining the day when we can travel together. Just the two of us, exploring the world. I think it's possible, you know? We just have to be patient."

Amara's heart raced as she watched him, the peaceful backdrop of the ocean contrasting with the rush of emotions stirring within her. She had always dreamed of traveling, but the idea of doing it with him felt like something more—a dream that was no longer out of reach.

She took a deep breath and replied, recording her own video. This time, she sat by her bedroom window, her gaze on the twinkling lights of Manila in the distance. "I've been thinking about that too," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "The idea of us traveling together—it feels so real now. And I want to make it happen. I want to show you everything here, just like you've been showing me your world." She smiled, feeling a little shy as she added, "Maybe we'll start small. But one day, we'll see it all."

As the message ended, Amara couldn't help but replay it in her mind. One day. That was the key. They both wanted the same thing: to close the gap between them, to see the world together, to live the dreams they had whispered to each other in the quiet of their messages.

The following morning, Amara found herself distracted in class, her thoughts drifting to Karim and the life they were building together, even from so far apart. The fantasy of their future began to take on more substance, more detail. She had never been so sure of something before, and for the first time in a long while, the uncertainty of their situation didn't feel so overwhelming.

She opened her phone during lunch, checking for any new messages. There was one from Karim—a photo of him holding a book in his favorite café. The caption read, I can't wait to share this place with you.

Amara smiled, her fingers quickly typing out a reply: I can't wait for that either. I'm already planning the first place I want to take you when you come here. But for now... let's keep sharing these little moments.

The reply came almost instantly: Deal.

The simplicity of their exchange made her heart flutter. It wasn't just the dream of the future that mattered—it was the little things. The moments shared through the screen, the connection that made the miles between them feel like nothing. For the first time, Amara felt at peace with the waiting, with the space between them.

She knew the road ahead wasn't going to be easy, that there would be challenges and obstacles to face. But she also knew they had something worth holding onto, something that would bring them together no matter how long it took.

And that thought was enough to make the wait feel a little less lonely.