Departure

A few days had passed and Ly Giai looked better than the night when she told me about her family. I knew she still cried in secret, but her eyes were swelling less and less. 

We still tried to keep our distance away from the people of South City.

Every morning, before Ly Giai woke up, I would silently sneak in and hid near where they had morning meetings. I don't know how I never get found. Am I too good at hiding?

"I believe next up is a small village," the old man that the people elected as their leader announced.

"That means we can rest for a few days!" A middle aged woman said excitedly. It was clear that she wasn't too fond of living in the mountains.

"We can probably ask them for food and drinks to resupply ourselves," another woman spoke. She was more on the practical side.

A few minutes went on between the adults there discussing what they should do when reaching the village. The old leader listened to them all carefully. 

After listening to all the opinions. He took some time to think. Then he said, "I am thinking this. We will try to ask for any supplies that they can give us. Of course, we have to tell them that an attack occurred in South City so that they can prepare themselves. 

But for resting for a few days. That is not a good idea. From what I know, the village is in open land, very visible. The Ly's army will find it in no time. 

So we will go in, get whatever we can, warn the villagers, and leave as fast as possible. If things go smoothly, we can reach the next mountain and set up shelters before nighttime."

He ended and I saw a lot of the adults nodded. What he proposed was reasonable and cautious.

From the talkings, I heard, "Not another mountain" from the first lady. She doesn't look happy, but she has to accept the current situation.

I quickly left right when the meeting was about to be over so that I wouldn't get noticed. I came back to Ly Giai, who was awoke by then.

"Did you hear anything useful?" she asked.

I nodded, "We are coming to a village next. They plan to get whatever supply they can and leave as soon as possible for the next mountain. The old man is afraid that Ly's army can find them easily since the village is in an open field."

Ly Giai looked worried, "What about the people there? We couldn't just let them behind while Ly's army is near."

"They will warn the villagers," I reassured her. "The old man said to warn them so that they can prepare themselves. I guess the villagers will ask to join us to go to the capitol together. It's the safest plan right now."

"Then what are we going to do?" Ly Giai asked. "We should find things for ourselves too."

That was a good question. I thought while coming back to Ly Giai after the meeting about what we could do as well. Hiding and waiting while everyone was resupplying would be a wasted opportunity. But the hard thing was, I would be recognized instantly. I didn't want trouble arise during a chaotic time like this. I don't want Ly Giai to find out the true reason they hated me either.

Ly Giai seemed to understand my struggle when she said, "Let me go and find supplies for us then."

I listened to what she said and fell into silence.

Of course, I have thought about this option. But I didn't say it because there was a high chance that the people of South City would recognize her and keep her with them. I didn't propose this because I thought Ly Giai wouldn't want to leave me.

Now that she has said it, I accepted that she must have felt enough hardship being alone with just me. Truly, having the people of South City taking care of her is a better option.

So I nodded. "That's a good idea. There won't be any issue if you appear publicly instead of me," I said.

Part of me was sad thinking that I wouldn't be able to be with her anymore, but I was also happy for her to get group protection.

"That's settled then," Ly Giai smiled gently as we packed things off before going.

A few hours later, when the sun was at its highest, we finally reached the village that the old leader mentioned.

"I will go then," Ly Giai said.

I smiled. "Take care," I said our farewell. 

Ly Giai began walking down the mountain. I watched her step by step getting farther and farther away from me. 

I held my chest, it ached to realize that at last, a person like me was never destined to be with someone as wonderful as Ly Giai.

As she continued going down and her figure became smaller and smaller from my view, I began to remember all the moments we had spent together. 

Our kiss under the well.

I comforted her after her family was slaughtered.

She told me who each of her family members was.

The moments and memories weren't much, but I cherish them dearly. I tried to remember and recall them as detailed as I could so that when I missed her, I would have them to befriend with me. 

Eventually, Ly Giai's figure became too small for me to see her anymore. Just like that, our journey together has ended.