How long had it been since I'd seen him last? Has it been a year yet? Or less?... since the world almost ended. I'm not sure, but it doesn't matter now.
Despite the time that has passed I recognize him immediately. Of course I do. I had recognized him from his voice alone, but I couldn't believe my ears.
Before I'm completely over the shock of seeing him alive and well he is running towards me. When I recover I start running too.
Feeling the warmth of his arms wrapped around me, I just soak it in. It's more than I ever thought I'd have again. Eventually, I realize that I'm sobbing. I feel the urge to explain; I don't want him to think I'm upset, or that something is wrong. Unfortunately I can barely get any words out through my sobs.
"I....thought... you... were... dead..." I manage in between gasps. My voice breaks again on the word "dead". "Didn't... think... I'd ever... get to... see... you... again."
"Shhh I know." His voice is quavering too. I let go of him, then, just enough to be able to look into his face. "I know." He repeats. While looking at him I realize he is feeling everything I'm feeling. He lost me too. And now he has found me again. It's amazing how fast the whole world can change.
"Oh, Lan -" But he quiets whatever I was going to say with a kiss.
"So what happened to you the day of The Disaster? How did you survive?" I ask.
"I was at home with my parents. The house partially collapsed, but we got out. The-"
"Wait, so your parents...?"
"Yeah they made it too."
"Oh thank goodness." I say. I always loved his parents very much. My excitement builds thinking about seeing them again. "That's great -"
"Let me finish though." He says, erasing my excitement. "Like I was saying we got out of the house. Then the next thing I know we're being evacuated from the area. We couldn't get back into the neighborhood for weeks. By the time they would let us, my parents were in no shape to make the trip."
"What happened?"
"I don't know. I think that something has caused their minds to deteriorate. After the disaster they started having trouble remembering the simplest of things. It happened kind of gradually, but so quickly at the same time. Sometimes they don't recognize me or each other. They just aren't all there mentally anymore. Thankfully they can still take care of themselves mostly. But I can't leave them alone for too long."
"It's okay. They're healthy otherwise. I guess I'm lucky. At least I know how they're doing. I'm so sorry you don't know if your family made it."
"At least we have each other now." I say.
"Yes we do." After another quick kiss he adds, "I wish I could stay longer, but I really should get back to my parents soon."
"Do you want me to go with you? Can I do something to help?"
"Wren, thanks, but no. I had to sneak over a border to get to this area, and I won't have you taking that risk. Honestly, they probably wouldn't even remember you if they saw you. But I'll come back to visit you soon, okay?" he says.
"So it's okay for you to be jumping the border, but not me?" I'm not really mad, but worried. He's trying to protect me, but that means he's taking all the risk. Why does he have to be living in a restricted zone?
"Don't worry about me. I know a really safe spot to cross. I've done it many times." Lan tells me.
"That doesn't really make me feel better." I say.
"It should. I know what I'm doing I promise. Now I've got to go, but I'll see you soon. And I love you."
"I love you too, Lan. Be careful." He leaves then. I try not to worry, but still I do.
I have just arrived at my house after a long, boring, and uneventful day at work. It has been just over a week since the day I saw Iolani. When I walk into the little area of my shelter that hides my front door I find him waiting for me.
I count the days in between his visits, and I try not to worry. Mostly I try to keep myself busy with work. I've managed to earn another promotion. I even saved up enough money for a small, upstairs addition to my shelter. There isn't anything up there yet, but I hope one day this can be our bedroom. I know Lan can't move with his parents right now, but maybe one day we can finally get married like we promised each other so long ago.
In the meantime Lan's visits continue, and that is enough to keep me going. Life still is hard, but now I feel like I have something/someone to live for.
For months Lan and I have our routine. Then one day I am cooking my rations after a long day at work. I ended up having a close call with fire again. Just as start to brush off the dirt and ash I hear Iolani coming. "Wren, I have a surprise for you. Come on and see."
Just as I step outside the hidden entrance of my shelter I hear a hoarse cry. "Wren!"
"Wren, baby, are you alight?!"
I had forgotten what I must look like after the fire. Quickly I tell her that I had just caught my shirt on fire. I was okay, just dirty from putting out the flames. Then she wrapped me in her arms. After a moment I ask, "Mom, where's dad?"
Our reunion is a short one, because she still has to go meet with that official. But she promises to come back tomorrow.
After she goes, Lan holds me in his arms. He comforts me as I try to come to terms with the news of my dad's death.