Chapter 6: The Sadness of Separation

After securing the part-time position at Valen Petrol Station, Runo eagerly hurried home, eager to share the news with his normally somber mother. As he entered their home, he waited with anticipation for her return from work.

Hours passed, and the night settled in, but there was no sign of his mother. Runo's mind couldn't help but wander to the harrowing thought: "What if my mother has disappeared too?" The idea gnawed at him, repeating like a never-ending refrain in his mind, and he felt himself teetering on the edge of madness. He kept a vigilant watch through the blinds, watching women pass by the front door without entering, and this surreal scene only worsened his anxiety.

As the night grew darker, Runo struggled to stay awake, his eyes fixed on the front driveway. Suddenly, the front door jolted, snapping him out of his drowsy reverie. His mother staggered in, drenched in water, her sobs no longer stifled.

"I'm sorry…" she cried, her voice breaking as she collapsed to the floor.

"I'm sorry…" she repeated, over and over.

Runo didn't hesitate; he embraced her, uncaring of the water that soaked them both.

"I'm sorry…" his mother continued to whisper.

"Mum, everything is going to be fine. I got a part-time job. You don't need to worry so much," Runo reassured her.

Their mutual tears flowed, and they cried themselves to sleep, clinging to each other through the night.

Many months passed, and life gradually regained a semblance of stability. Runo's steady income from his part-time job lightened the financial burden on his family, though his mother had yet to fully recover from the ordeal.

One morning, as Runo descended the stairs to prepare breakfast, he found his mother sitting on the couch, her face expressionless.

"Good morning, Mum," Runo greeted her, but she remained unresponsive. She sat there, her eyes vacant, seemingly unaware of her son's presence, and completely devoid of emotion.

"Mum?" Runo waved his hand in front of her, growing increasingly concerned.

"Mum?" He shook her gently, but still, there was no response. It was as if she had become frozen in time, bearing a lifeless aura, her gaze fixed on the door, waiting for her husband's return.

Bellington Therapeutic Center.

Faced with his mother's sudden mental decline, Runo reached out to his understanding boss, Stuart, who readily recommended Bellington Therapeutic Center. Reluctantly, Runo entered the imposing building with his mother. He couldn't afford to back out now; he needed to find help for her. Inside, they secured an appointment with a therapist.

The therapist, a young man with blond hair, exuded an air of experience. Before donning a pair of blue plastic gloves, he seemed to pierce Runo's very soul with his penetrating gaze. It was as if his eyes possessed an omniscient quality, capable of diving deep into the human psyche.

Runo shared the entire story, from his father's disappearance to his mother's deteriorating condition. The therapist, Enan Rein, listened attentively.

"Hmm, I see. A deep rift has formed in her heart and has only grown deeper with time," Enan explained. "The trauma has caused lasting damage, leaving a mark on her brain that has, unfortunately, stilled her consciousness."

"All we can do is prescribe some medication to increase serotonin in her brain and strive to introduce activities that might bring her joy," Enan advised.

"Come see me every three weeks so we can track progress," he added.

"Thank you for your help," Runo replied, still overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.

This turn of events marked a significant shift in Runo's life. His mother was now unfit for work, and his part-time job had transformed into a full-time responsibility. While Stuart kindly offered a raise, Runo declined, not wanting to take advantage of his generosity. The consequences of these changes meant Runo had to drop out of college, and it felt like life was spiralling out of control.

Currently, Runo was working at Valen Petrol Station, tending to customers' needs. Then, a familiar face surprised him.

"Why are you here? Don't you have college?" Runo asked.

"Don't worry about it. It's my break now; my next class is in two hours!" Arturo declared.

"You walked all the way here?" Runo inquired.

"Yep, and I brought you some of my class notes!" Arturo said, flashing a bright smile.

"Thanks. Who would've known that becoming friends with you would become such a good fortune?" Runo complimented him.

"That's enough of that. You better get started on those notes before a real customer shows up. And if you have any questions, just give me a call. We're friends, remember," Arturo reminded him.

"Yeah, thanks," Runo said, and as Arturo's infectious smile beamed at him, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope in the midst of life's trials.