A letter to the post man

I swallowed hard and replied, "See you tomorrow, then."

Without waiting for a response, I started packing my things. My hands trembled as I shoved my belongings into the worn-out suitcase. My thoughts were heavy, dragging me down like weights tied to my chest. All I ever did was cause despair to everyone I loved. I knew it. My dad and Diana already resented me, but after this… they would hate me more than ever.

I didn't want to say goodbye.

Later that night, under the cover of darkness, I slipped out of the house with my luggage. The cool night air bit at my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I kept my steps light and careful, praying that no one would hear me.

But just as I reached the door, I heard the hurried patter of footsteps behind me.

"Reina!"

Archie, my little sister, was rushing down the stairs, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with urgency. I turned sharply, putting a finger to my lips to quiet her.

"Shh!" I hissed, covering her mouth gently to keep her from waking anyone else.

Her wide eyes were brimming with tears, and my heart ached as I looked at her. The last thing I wanted was to leave her behind, but I had no choice.

"I will return, dear," I whispered, pulling her into a tight hug.

She clung to me, her small hands gripping my jacket as if letting go would make me disappear forever.

"Remember," I said, choking back tears, "your sister loves you."

"I love you too, Reina," she replied, her voice muffled against my shoulder. Then, pulling back slightly, she looked up at me with an expression far too wise for her young age. "Now go and be happy."

Her words stunned me. Archie had grown so much—so strong and mature. Where had she learned to say something so profound? I stared at her for a moment, my chest tight with pride and sorrow, before nodding.

"You're incredible," I whispered.

She smiled, her tears glistening like tiny stars in the faint light of the hallway.

With one final squeeze, I let her go and turned toward the door. I didn't look back.

I walked briskly out of the house, the clock striking 1:00 a.m. as I stepped onto the deserted street. The town was eerily silent, the only sounds coming from the faint rustle of leaves and the occasional distant bark of a dog. Finding a cab at this hour was almost impossible. I stood there for what felt like an eternity, the weight of my suitcase pulling at my arm and the chill of the night air seeping into my bones.

Finally, after countless failed attempts, I managed to book an emergency flight. My heart pounded as I climbed into the cab that had come to pick me up. Every passing streetlight illuminated fragments of my memories, each one a reminder of what I was leaving behind.

When I arrived at the airport, the reality of my decision hit me like a wave. This wasn't just a fleeting moment of rebellion—I was leaving. For good.

As I sat in the dimly lit terminal, waiting for my flight, my mind drifted back to the first time I had been on a plane. I was eighteen then, so young and naïve. Mr. Timothy had been with me, guiding me through everything. That trip had been the beginning of a new chapter in my life—a chapter filled with discovery, heartbreak, and growth.

And now, here I was again, about to start another chapter.

When my flight was finally called, I boarded with a mix of nervous anticipation and overwhelming nostalgia. As the plane took off, I stared out the window, watching the city lights fade into the distance. My thoughts wandered to the northern lands, where I had spent some of the happiest days of my life. I missed the snow-covered hills, the crisp air, and most of all… I missed Nath.

The mere thought of him brought a faint smile to my lips. Nath had always been my anchor, the one person who made me feel whole. And now, after all this time, I was finally going back to him.

I couldn't wait to see him again.

The flight was long, and exhaustion soon caught up with me. I leaned back in my seat, letting my eyes drift shut. Sleep came quickly, pulling me into a sea of dreams.

In my dream, I was eighteen again, sitting beside Mr. Timothy on that plane. The world felt so full of possibilities then, and I had been so eager to embrace them all. But as the dream shifted, I saw Archie standing at the door of our house, her small frame silhouetted against the light. Her voice echoed in my mind: "Now go and be happy."

I woke with a start, my heart pounding. The plane was still in the air, the faint hum of the engines steady and constant. For a moment, I just sat there, staring out at the inky black sky beyond the window.

Archie's words stayed with me, warming me in a way that nothing else could.

I was scared—terrified, even. But I was also hopeful. This was my chance to start over, to find happiness again.

And this time, I wasn't going to let it slip away