Chapter 2 - A Promise

ELISHA POV

I knelt in front of my parents' graves, gently tracing my fingers over their names carved into the marble.

Three days. It had only been three days. Yet it already felt like an eternity since I last heard their voices.

"Mom... Dad..." I whispered, forcing a smile despite the tears filling my eyes. "I don't know how to start over."

A lump formed in my throat. "I've always had the two of you beside me. Every dream I had... every plan... you were part of all of them."

My voice trembled. "Now I'm standing here alone."

The wind gently brushed against my face, as if answering me. "I wasn't ready."

I laughed weakly through my tears. "You didn't even leave me instructions on how to survive without you."

Silence answered me.

"I know you're probably worried about me."

I wiped away my tears. "So don't. I'll cry today."m I'll cry tomorrow. And maybe for a long time after that. But I promise..." I looked at their gravestones. "I'll protect everything you worked so hard to build. I won't let your sacrifices go to waste. I'll continue living."

"Not because it's easy... But because both of you would've wanted me to."

I smiled through my tears. "So... please keep watching over me."

"And if I make a terrible decision..." I laughed softly. "Just visit me in my dreams and scold me."

"I love you. I always will. Until we meet again.

Behind me, I heard footsteps.

"Eli..."

I slowly turned around. It was Uncle Lucas.

He gave me a sad smile before standing beside me. "They're very proud of you."

I lowered my head. "I don't feel strong." I said honestly.

"You don't have to. You all have the rights go cry, to be in pain, to mourn."

He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Being strong doesn't mean you stop crying. It means you keep moving even while you're crying."

I bit my lip. "What if I can't?"

"I believe in you. I know you can do it because they raised you."

Fresh tears rolled down my cheeks. "I keep thinking... what if I had gone home earlier? What if I had called them? What if I had been there? What if they were still alive?"

Uncle Lucas gently shook his head.

"You cannot blame yourself for something you couldn't control. If it's time for them to go, you can't stop it."

"But—"

"No." His voice was calm but firm. "If your parents were here, do you think they'd want you to carry that guilt for the rest of your life?"

I slowly shook my head.

"They loved you more than anything. They wouldn't want their daughter to spend her life blaming herself."

I finally broke down.

He pulled me into a comforting embrace.

"Cry. You don't have to be brave today."

---

We left the cemetery just before sunset.

Before getting into the car, I turned around one last time.

"I'll come back. I promise."

---

Inside the car the silence was l unbearable.

I closed my eyes.

Mom laughing in the passenger seat. Dad singing terribly while driving.

I smiled then cried again.

YANA POV

I quietly watched Eli from the passenger seat. She had her eyes closed, but tears continued to fall one after another.

She wasn't making a sound and that's hurt even more.

Since Uncle and Aunt passed away. She hadn't been the same.

Elisha wasn't just my best friend. She was the sister I never had.

Watching someone so cheerful slowly lose her light. It was heartbreaking.

I reached for her hand. "Eli."

She slowly opened her eyes. "Hm?"

"If you ever feel like the world is too heavy... don't carry it alone."

She looked at me silently.

"You still have me. You still have a family. And no matter how many times you break down. I'll always help you stand up again."

A faint smile appeared on her lips. "Thank you."

I squeezed her hand. "I'll remind you of that every day until you finally believe it."

For the first time since the funeral. She smiled.

And I silently prayed that one day that smile would become genuine again.

I don't want to see her in so much pain. She's all I have and it hurts me big time seeing her at this state.