Chapter 9: No Longer the Same World
A few days after Aurel's wedding, Rey was still in the village.
But he never left the house.
He stayed in his mother's old home, sitting on a worn wooden chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
The first night he returned, he just stood for a long time in front of his old bedroom—
gazing at the mirror he once bought with Aurel.
The red bracelet still wrapped around his wrist.
His mother grew worried.
"Rey, please eat something, son…"
Rey didn't answer.
Every night, he sat beneath the mango tree—
the place where he and Aurel had once made a promise.
Now the tree stood silent. Still.
Only the sound of crickets accompanied the pain he couldn't speak.
He opened the ring box again…
then closed it…
then opened it once more.
Over and over.
As if still hoping time could somehow be rewound.