Prologue
Prologue
“Say your goodbyes to her, Alexander.” The old woman said with her low voice. She wiped away the tears on her cheeks as she smiled at the little girl.
The little girl was puzzled while she glanced at the old woman and at the little boy. Her face was fuming but she tried to hold back all the emotions she had.
Looking down, the young boy walked to the little girl. He was hesitant but his instincts got the best of him and hugged her. The girl responds to his hug and even hugs him tighter.
“I will miss you.” The young boy whispered between their hugs.
The little girl broke the emotional hug as she looked down, “Will I see you again?” Her voice was a little hoarse as she swallowed the knot in her throat. She was playing with the boy’s fingers while sniffing.
The boy blinked as a tear escaped from his eye. He held her hand, caressing it before he looked up to the old woman, who was sadly looking at them.
“Yes, sweetie.” Her voice cracked and she pressed her lips. She gently brushed her hair a few times and pulled her to kiss her forehead.
“I’ll see you.” The little girl replied. Tears started to fall across her cheek when she covered her face with her palms.
After seeing this, the old woman immediately turned her back to her and sniffed. She swallowed the knot in her throat as she wiped her wet cheeks. She sniffed a few times before she turned her face to the little boy, halfway.
“We need to go.” It was almost a whisper as if she was the only one who heard what she said.
The girl buried her face in her palm as she quietly sobbed.
“Please, don’t cry. We will meet again. I promise.” The little boy assured her. His eyebrows met as his lips were shaking. He was about to reach her when the old woman pulled her hand.
“We better get going.” She tried to make her voice normal but it came out more emotional. The old woman avoided looking at the girl but she still saw a glimpse of her from the corner of her eyes.
“I’ll find you, Veronica. I swear.” The boy yelled while the old woman was pulling him to walk. His head was facing the girl every step away from her. He saw her shoulder was shaking and tears flooded in her palms.
The little girl heard their steps moving away, so she wiped her wet face and looked at them one last time. She was sniffing as she was looking at them departing. Her lips were trembling and she couldn't stop the tears flowing from her eyes. They were making their way in the thick cold snow, meeting the winter breeze that conquered the entire street.
They continued to walk and the boy focused his eyes on the road. He felt the old woman’s hand was tightening on his wrist and looked up on her. He saw her eyes were wet and reddish. Her lips are pale and her cheeks are wet. He swallowed with shaky lips and looked down on the thick snow.
“Alexander..” Her voice was a little hoarse. She sniffed again as she rubbed her finger against her nose.
Lifelessly, he looked up on her with sadness in his eyes. She felt his sad eyes on her so she continued.
“Don’t think bad of me. I had to. I don’t have a choice.” Her voice broke in the middle that made her tears fall on her cheeks like a flowing river. Her eyes were avoiding him and she focused her eyes on the road.
He looked down and glanced his eyes on the road that they were taking. Trying to imprint every street they take in his memory. He held her hand and leaned his head on her wrist.
It was December winter when he witnessed a painful decision that his mama ever made. He knew she wanted to keep her but circumstances didn’t allow it. They struggled a lot to the point that she had to make a decision that will surely make her regret for the rest of her life. He was too young to understand things but he believed in his mama and trusted her decisions. It was hard for him, especially for her, but they had to move forward without her.
He looked back once again, to the old mansion where they came from. It was vague due to their distance but the old mansion that broke his heart imprint in his young memory. He wanted to go back and get her, but he knew nothing would change if he would.
He sniffed as a tiny tear fell on his cheek. His eyes were on the mansion until it was no longer visible to him. He looked down at his feet, watching his every step in the thick snow. Cold breeze started to get in him despite the thick winter jacket he wore. He already missed her and he wanted a warm hug with her. But only memories of her flashed on his mind. It broke his heart even more.
It hurts for him seeing her away from them, as much as it hurts for her mother. But he knew it would be the best for her. It would be painful to wake up in the morning without her smile. To end the day without hearing her say goodnight. He will be alone in his room for the next few years to come but he has to be strong. He only had himself to be with his mama and it’s only him and her for the next few years.
He looked up and her face flashed on the clouds. His mind was full of her. He wasn’t sure if he would see her again but he believes, one day, he will surely see her again. It will take time but he will be patient. He will find ways to see her and he will never lose hope. Hope that seems impossible to believe.
