𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 01. 𝕴𝖓 𝖂𝖍𝖎𝖈𝖍 𝕭𝖔𝖙𝖍 𝕱𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖘 𝕯𝖊𝖈𝖎𝖉𝖊 𝕿𝖔 𝕬𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖉 𝕿𝖍𝖊𝖒𝖘𝖊𝖑𝖛𝖊𝖘

His life wasn't going right and he knew he was to blame. He always knew that life is very unpredictable and nobody knows what can happen to them or their loved ones the next minute. Maybe that's why it is advised that one should always prioritize their relationships over ego. Because one never knows what can be their last words to someone.

He could clearly remember how excited he was when he heard that Luna is pregnant and they were going to have a baby girl in the house. He had imagined her tiny body roaming around the house, trying to hide and create chaos in their still lives.

𝓥𝓪𝓵𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮 ... That's what they were going to call her. He remembered when he told Blaze, his best friend, that he was going to name his daughter Valerie. Blaze commented that it was a cute name. This incident automatically brought a smile on his face.

Flashback :-

Luna had specifically told him to come home early but, he was late. The traffic was really heavy. After all, it was Christmas tomorrow. Everyone was in rush to reach home. Just like him. When he finally, reached home, he was greeted by the familiar warmth.

He knew Luna was already entertaining their guests. Blaze and Mavis.

Few years ago, Rhys lost his parents in a tragic car accident. To say that it affected him badly will be an understatement. He was devastated. Those, who experience parental loss are at a higher risk for many negative outcomes, including serious mental issues (e.g., depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, post-traumatic stress symptoms, etc). And he was no exception. He was in a very bad shape for years. Then, he met Luna.

"Losing a parent can feel like losing part of yourself." That's what he had said to her when she asked him how he was feeling.

"Why don't you take time..." She asked looking a bit distracted.

"I did. I took years. But, it doesn't help. The pain just don't go." Rhys had said.

"Why don't you talk to your friends about it? Maybe they can help..." She asked, uncertain, thinking that her question was a little off.

"I do. But, I just don't know what my friend thinks about this. I want to know but, I don't want to hear it from him. I am afraid that he will ask me to forget and move on. So, I always try to keep a smile on my face. Every day is a good day until a memory strikes. And it happens so fast. I don't know what happens to me... " Rhys had told her.

He knew he felt sad and angry everytime someone brought the topic up. And Luna was stepping on that dangerous territory. Luna was a co-worker in his office and a very patient girl. Rhys oftentimes found himself talking to her about everything. Today, it was about parents.

"Sadness is common after the loss of parents, but it's also normal for other feelings to take over. You may not feel sad, and that's OK, too. Perhaps you only feel numb, or you can see the positive sight of this and, feel relieved that they're no longer in pain. Grief opens the gate to a flood of complicated, often conflicting emotions. And you'll have to be victorious if you want to survive." Luna had spoken with a determination in her voice.

"I never thought of this like that..." Rhys had said after a long pause.

"Say, how'd you react when something like this happens to you." Rhys asked. He knew that he shouldn't. Because seeing our loved one die is very painful and he would never want anyone, let alone Luna, to feel it. But, he had to know her point.

"It had happened with me before. I was ten at that time and my twin was with me. She's five minutes younger and still, I feel the responsibility to take care for her. You won't believe she started calling me 'Ma' after our parents death. It took her years to realize the reality of our situation. When she did, she came to me and cried her heart out. It was heartbreaking but, we survived." Luna told Rhys with a smile.

It was at that moment, he decided to let go of the past. Because if he did hold any longer, the past will start clinging to him and he won't be able to come to present. Luna had helped him in this and he was thankful to have her with him.

He married Luna after sometime and shifted to their new home sometime later with Luna and Mavis, her younger sister. They were twins yet, world's apart, both, from looks and personality. Mavis was like a bright star in his life. She was very alive and loved everything new. She would find happiness and uniqueness in everything. His life was happy after meeting both sisters. He could experience the sibling love which he never received.

He could say that he was 'home' after returning from a tiring day. He knew that Mavis will be awake with Luna to greet him. His house was never dark at night... anymore.

He had heard that when someone finds 'The One', home is wherever they are with you. And his home was people. When home is a person, one feels secure and safe, no matter where in the world they are. His home was a place where he could say what was in his mind. The feeling of being home was like a warm blanket after a cold day of playing outside. There was a huge difference between a house and a home. He understood that, now. A house was just a place with a roof but a home is a place where he lived, laughed and felt comfort.

Coming back to present, he saw Luna with Mavis and Blaze. They were arranging the table for dinner. After noticing Rhys, everyone stopped their work and after greeting him, resumed their works.

At the time of dinner, he heard Blaze asking what name they had finalized for their baby girl. Luna was five months along.

"Valerie." Both Luna and Rhys spoke.

"That's such a cute name." Blaze replied with an 'aww'.

"Don't be fooled by the pretty sound of "Valerie". The name's meaning is from the Latin word "valere," which is all about health and strength, a good omen for our little girl." Mavis had teased Blaze about the name.

End of Flashback...

Rhys couldn't believe that his world has crumbled to the point where he had lost all his hope of setting everything right.

He knew he had made mistakes. Mistakes, he should never have committed. But, the damage had been done. He couldn't reverse it.

He had raised his hand on Luna... by mistake. He knew he couldn't face her after that and Blaze came with an excellent idea of reforming themselves at a church. He agreed right away. He had to change himself for the betterment of Luna and his family. Little did he know that his agreement was also a mistake.

But, he knew that his mistake wasn't big enough for the amount of punishment he was going to receive by deciding to come for amendment, at 'The Sanctuary'.

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Number of words :- 1223 (Excluding Author's Note at the end)

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Author's Note :-

So, finally we're here. This was the first chapter of "An Open Egress" which means "An Open Exit".

The chapters will have two titles. First one will be a short title related to the content of chapter while the second one is detailed name for the chapter.

I hope you'll like it. Let me know your thoughts on this...