"You'll come back, right?" Sophia's voice trembled slightly, as if she didn't want to make it obvious that fear was inside her chest.
Ethan didn't even pause to think before he answered. "I'll come back, I swear. Nothing will happen to me."
The words were sweet to hear, but everyone knows that war doesn't keep promises. Sophia's father promised the same thing to her mother many years ago—and nothing came of it. They only received news of what happened to his battalion after months of waiting. Until today, no one can say where his body is. Sophia's mother cried until she was tired at that time, but that's how life is. It just moves on, whether you're ready or not.
But Sophia is not her mother. She doesn't want to hear that kind of story again.
"You'll swear on your chest," she said, folding her arms like someone who doesn't have time for nonsense.
Ethan chuckled a little, scratching his head. "Babe, I swear. No shaking."
She just shook her head and looked at the ground. Life has its ways sometimes. People who go to war always think they have control over what will happen on the battlefield. That's a lie. War is a beast that swallows people whole, no matter the promises they make.
That's how they hugged the next morning at the motor park as soldiers lined up to board the bus to the training camp. Sophia's belly was very big, and the baby could come anytime soon. Her mother was at home with her, but Sophia's heart was still heavy like a wet sponge.
"God is there," her mother said one night as they sat on the veranda. "Not every story will end like mine."
But Sophia wasn't sure. War doesn't reason.
Months passed, and Ethan never returned. Sophia had given birth to a beautiful child—a boy with big eyes like his father. Hope was fading little by little. That's how it starts: first, you count weeks, then months.
But one cool evening, something strange happened. Sophia was washing clothes in the backyard when a breeze blew past her ear like someone whispering. She looked around sharply, but no one was there. Still, goosebumps rose on her skin.
At night, she dreamed. She saw her father. Young, full of life, the same way he was before the war swallowed him.
"I can't come back, but he will come back," her father said. His voice was calm but strong like a rock.
"Dad?" Sophia's voice shook.
He just smiled. "Don't worry. I will guide him."
Three days later, they heard that the war had ended. Soldiers were returning. Sophia's heart was beating like a drum as she stood on the parade ground. She was never sure if she would see Ethan.
But then, she saw him. Dirty, skinny, but alive. Tears filled her eyes.
"You kept your promise," she whispered as he hugged her tight.
"I told you," he laughed a little, his voice hoarse from months of hardship.
Far in the corner, Sophia saw what looked like a shadow. Her father, standing there with a small smile on his face before he vanished into thin air.
Some promises, it can take two lifetimes to fulfill.
