YOUR LETTER

Hey,

This one's rose pink in color, with a beautiful golden border and your regular rose crest. I have to admit, this one is even more beautiful than the others. You definitely have it in you. Have what? Potential, mister - a lot of potential.

But you know what? There's something different about this letter. And no offense, it's incredible too, but it doesn't quite feel like 'you'. You know what I mean, right? You're usually goofy and cute, and you don't really care about formats or neat words as long as you can get your feelings across. This one feels too polished, too perfectly written, and honestly, a little too romantic compared to what you usually write.

Oh my God! That was so rude of me, but I'm laughing so hard right now I don't even care. Anyway, have you decided what you're going to do about your career? Please don't tell me you're still confused, though I think you are since you didn't mention it in your last letter.

Oh God! It's not that hard when you've already narrowed it down to two options: Art or Writing. Just pick one! My parents keep asking me what subject I'm planning to take and guess what? I DON'T KNOW, all thanks to you! You know I'm going to choose whatever you're going to take. Yet you're taking so long.

And about your letter - of course I miss you, you idiot. I keep waiting for your letters like an addict. And no, I won't always miss you. You know why? Because soon we'll be in the same university, studying together and living in dorms within walking distance. So whenever I miss you, I'll just meet you. Nice plan, right?

So please... okay? A thousand times, please! Just choose a subject and do us a favor. I want to meet you in real life. I want to know what you look like. I want to know your name.

Miss you so much! Waiting for your next letter.

Yours lovingly,

Meanie!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

His next letter never came. I waited for days, weeks, months... but still nothing. He didn't even collect my last letter. It has been six months since my last words to him, the war has ended, but still there's no sign of him.

Did he forget me? Was everything we shared nothing to him? No, it can't be true. All his letters, his words... I could feel him smiling while writing them, just like I smiled while reading. His desire to meet me was no less than mine.

Then why? Is he okay? Could it be that he had to take part in the war? No... no, that's not possible. He was just seventeen. He wasn't even eligible for the war. Besides, his father was alive. The emperor demanded one man from each house. His father was capable, stronger, and was supposed to go.

I still remember when all of this began, nearly ten months ago from now.

Ten months ago:

I was running back home after collecting the monthly ration given by the emperor. Our nation had been terribly struck by war. There's barely any food left in the country, and the majority of what's available goes to feeding the soldiers. Us citizens are barely left with anything.

And today, I got a handful of rice with three big potatoes and some wild herbs. Some high-class women got fish, but fish had become a luxury since the war started and is reserved for the higher classes. I wish I could go back in time to when the war hadn't started and we could eat fish.

The mere thought of that makes my mouth water. Oh God! Please let this war end quickly. Lost in thought, I didn't notice when it started raining, just a drizzle at first. Within minutes, it turned into a downpour and I had to run under a shade to take cover.

My clothes were slightly drenched as I waited for the rain to ease. That was when a wooden box caught my attention. It was old and fixed to the surface, and it was covered with a lid and a heavy stone kept over it. I was getting bored anyway and had plenty of time to kill, so I decided to have a look.

I opened the lid to find an envelope kept inside it. It was off-white in color, with a red border and a copper-gold colored rose seal. This letter was clearly written by someone from the high class. Only they had such expensive seals.

I was well aware that the letter belonged to someone important and that opening it could mean dire consequences. Still, curiosity got the better of me, and I kept it in my pocket.

As soon as the rain let up, I ran back home, eager to read the letter.

At home, I threw off my slippers and kept the ration in the kitchen, then ran to the terrace without even changing my clothes. I opened the envelope:

Hey,

So, you actually went ahead and opened the lid? What did you expect? Whatever it is, I hope I exceeded your expectations. I am getting really bored on my holiday and I'm looking for a friend. And since you were free enough to search an old wooden box, I think you're not doing any better either. So, let's be friends? What do you say, hm?

I'll be waiting for your reply. Write your answer and put it in that box. I'll pick it up from there.