THE LONG WAY HOME

Characters Alexandra Martin - main character Diana Martin - the wife Ashley Lopez - 1st daughter Lien Chen - workmate Mia Martin - 2nd daughter Kiara Martin - 2 year old last daughter The homeless old man Miss Kim - doctor Introduction "The road stretches out before him, a seemingly endless path of dust and dreams. He's been walking for years, driven by a hunger for peace and a longing for home. But home is more than just a place - it's a state of mind, a shelter from the storms of life. For some, it's the warmth of a loving family; for others, it's the quiet peace of a mountain retreat. Yet, for him, home is something more distant, a whispered promise of rest and redemption. As he walks, the weight of his journey bears down on him, but he presses on, filled by the hope that one day, he'll find his way home." Part 1: JOURNEY BEGINS Chapter 1 The road ahead (A windy cold morning at Alexandra's cosy modest home. Alexandra (34) who is still in deep sleep in his warm bedroom) He then gets conscious from his sleep, but hasn't made any movement. He felt something that he has never experienced for a very long time something that awakens his soul. The windy sound outside, the swishing sounds of trees and grass. While the cool yet cold air creeps in his bedroom and kisses his skin. His mind still, breathing pace is slower and as he inhales the clean air in and out. Alexandra's heart felt lighter. This feeling was something that he always longed for but hasn't felt for a very long time. Finally he felt it, although he didn't know what it meant but finally he felt at peace. Suddenly the beeping sound off his alarm beside the bed woke him up, snapping him out of the moment and knocking in reality. He glanced around his bedroom and noticed something different and very unusual. Diana (spouse ), she isn't in bed which is puzzling because she is always present in the picture every morning. Her forehead kisses have became a daily morning routine for Alexandra but today he hasn't gotten any. He then got out of bed his mind wondering thinking about the day ahead of him. Deep in the mist of his thoughts, all he could think about was how tough and terrible the past days of the week were for him, and all he was hoping for about his day ahead was just a day better than yesterday. That wasn't the only thought that was in his mind, there were so many other things that he was puzzled about but neither of them were something positive. Being caught in the misery of his own thoughts was something he faces each day in his life, it has reached a point were it feels like a normality. Alexandra managed escaping his thoughts but he knew he can't avoid them permanently they will keep up with him and creep in anytime soon. As he was preparing to go to work (Works as a security guard at a food retail store downtown). As soon as he was about to exit his bedroom the calendar placed on the wall caught his attention, he glanced over it and noticed something. The date, the highlighted date on the calendar. He's heart felt heavy and his breathing pace increased as his mind was racing with thoughts again. Emotions of sadness and longing overcame him. "The date, the 20th of November, was the only sentence lingering in his thoughts. Today reminds him of the day his first daughter Ashley that he had with his ex girlfriend Ruth Lopez (high school sweetheart) was born. Sadly she's been missing from birth and it's been years. Her cry, soft little feet and hands was the only memory he has of her. Although it is believed that she might be long dead, a part of him is still in denial and still holds to the thought that she is still alive out there and their hearts still connect even through the distance. Time, as time goes, Alexandra becomes even more hopeless of finding her and he feels even more distant from her, as he tries hard that the memory of Ashley never fades away. He then had to rush to work to start his day. He knew the day was going to be the worst therefore he left his house emotionally prepared. He didn't even have an hope for better days. Alexandra knocked of late at work and went straight home. On his way he remembered that he promised her daughter Mia a laptop for her studies but he couldn't tell her that he has no money. He is stressed thinking about how disappointed her daughter will be since she is already getting mocked at school for her poor background, and how much of a failure he is. "No father should fail her daughter like this' is the thought that lingered. Throughout his whole life he was taught that men -don't -cry' till this day he still lives with it. Alexandra feels that he's life gets even more harder each day but he can't cry about it rather, he swallows the pain. As soon as he arrived home , the sweet excitement her little girl kiara used to show him and those cheek kisses he got from her were missing. The house seemed more quiet, he realised that he didn't see his family ever since morning before he went to work. The house looked quite too clean and cold it was obvious that he was the last person in the house and no one really arrived after him. Suddenly a text appeared on his screen, from his wife saying that she had a long day but the kids are with her and they will arrive a bit late. As tired as he was he decided to go garb a few items from the retail store near by and he cooked dinner for his family. For the first time he ignored his sorrows and tried being positive and looking the brighter side of things. The house felt warm and he was humming a beautiful melody you could swear he is the happiest human to exist. Sometimes ignoring the things you can not change helps. Hours passed by and it was getting darker, the food was getting cold and he was also very exhausted but he couldn't go to sleep he had to wait for his family. As he was about to rest a bit on the couch he had voices and kiara's laughter. Kiara's laughter is the only thing that genuinely calms him down and makes him forget about his problems a little. Both his daughter's smiles meant a lot to him. He then stood up and hurried to the door ready to welcome them, as they entered kiara rushed to hug him. Followed by Mia who looked very much happy "dad, I got the laptop" she said happily and excited as she rushed to lounge to unbox it. Diana then entered carrying shopping bags. He then lended a hand and helped her with bags and placed them at the kitchen counter. "Where were you the whole day?" Alexandra asked with a exhausted yet genuine voice "We were busy" was all Diana replied and she went to their bedroom while Alexandra was left wondering what's wrong with her, he could sense she's hiding something. As he took the food he cooked to warm it up . Mia then came to the kitchen to drink water , Alexandra asked her " who bought you the laptop Mia?" "Mom's boss did, he spent the whole day with us we went gaming. He even took me to that Dolphin Show I've always wanted you to take me to and mom was so happy so as kiara, dad he is filthy rich and kind hearted too…./ wish..he…was my…. never mind " she said as she rushed back to the lounge.