The Fence Between Us

Episode 5: Eight years

Time passed faster than I thought.

The early mornings when I woke up just to walk behind him, the times I stole glances at the basketball court, the chance encounters in the hallway that made my heart race...

All of them — I once held onto tightly and then… I let them go on my own. After he got into university and left the village things slowly faded. At first, I still waited still hoped he would come home during the holidays. But as each break passed, I began to understand: he belonged to another world, a bigger one, a farther one and I… I had a dream of my own. I chose to keep walking.

To study, to try, to piece my heart back together from all the little fragments.

--------------------------------------------------------Eight years later.-------------------------------------------------------------

The school bell rang on a crisp autumn afternoon.

— “Don’t forget your homework, everyone! See you tomorrow!” I packed up my lesson plans and looked up with a smile.

My students rushed out of the classroom, waving and chattering:

— “Bye, Miss Leyla!!!”

— “Tell us another story tomorrow!”

— “Miss! Do you have a crush on anyone??” laughed and waved them off:

— “Go home before your moms scold you! Shoo, little ones!”

Once the classroom was quiet, I sat down at my desk, leaning gently against the blackboard, from the pocket of my coat I pulled out a folded piece of paper creased and worn at the edges from being read too many times.

I looked at it. Then glanced up at the empty rows of desks, the room was silent, just the rustling leaves outside and soft sunlight casting shadows across the floor.

I remembered the voice of the Principal from our meeting earlier that week — calm, steady, but sincere:

— “Miss Leyla, I know this is not an easy decision… but we’re looking for volunteer teachers to help educate children on a remote island. It used to be a war-torn region.They’re still struggling, the school is barely standing, and students lack even the most basic supplies.”

He paused, then added:

— “I believe… you might be the right person. You have the heart, the patience, and nothing holding you back from going.” I hadn’t answered.

Just nodded, and asked for some time to think

Now, looking at the letter — the official request from the Department of Education my heart trembled slightly.

A part of me wanted to stay — this classroom, these children, the familiar chalkboard corners…

But another part — quieter, deeper —wanted to leave.

To go somewhere and truly make a difference, to begin again, on a new rhythm of life, to go… as a way of finally letting go of the things that were never meant to be mine. I looked out at the gray sky in the distance and wondered…

Would this journey…

bring me face to face with someone I once knew?

Some crossroads come quietly,

like a new beginning in disguise.

And only when you dare to take the first step…

will you know what they truly mean.

The two of them are about to meet again =)))