When she learned that her late coach’s mentor had passed away as well, she could feel the weight of the news settle heavily on her chest. Her heart ached as tears welled up and without a second thought, she left every bit of money she had on her with the family before leaving, the grief too overwhelming to express in words.
Returning home, her steps felt heavy and the restlessness in her heart refused to settle. She switched on the desk lamp, its warm glow falling on the model airplane displayed on the table. She sat there for what felt like an eternity, her thoughts drifting.
Outside, the sounds of doors opening and closing, punctuated by the laughter and lively chatter of others, seemed so near, yet somehow distant from her own turmoil.
She picked up the borrowed English cassette from the library, flipped it open and started the familiar routine of listening, repeating the words over and over as if trying to drown out her thoughts.
As she prepared to go to bed, a knock echoed through the quiet room, followed by the unmistakable rattle of the door handle. She waited, heart in her throat, until her pager beeped, bringing her a message.
Raiden: [It’s me. Why are you locking the door now?]
It wasn’t like she’d just started locking it today.
They had been living apart for six months and for six months, Astrella had kept the door locked. Since he hadn’t made the first move to reach out, she had been more than content with the peace it brought her.
When she didn’t respond, another message chimed in. "Open the door!"
Raiden stood outside, the words stirring something in him that he couldn’t quite define. In his mind, Astrella had never been this cold toward him. He couldn’t remember when it had all shifted.
The Astrella he remembered had been like a small sun, always glowing with enthusiasm, chasing after him with eyes full of life. Her gaze had always sparkled when it landed on him, brimming with warmth and affection.
But now, something was different.
Just a few nights ago, when Norella had shown up at their door late, wearing nothing but a bathrobe, Astrella hadn’t even flinched. There was no surprise in her eyes, no reaction at all.
Even when their son became too attached to Norella, clinging to her like a lifeline, Astrella had simply stayed silent.
And now, today, she had done something unimaginable: selling the gifts she had once given them.