Page 105 of From Rivals to I Do

He doesn’t offer empty words of comfort. Instead, Derrick pulls me close and for a moment, I forget the devastation around us. I find solace in his presence, in the reassurance that we are not alone in this tragedy.

Derrick gently pulls away from our embrace and cups my cheeks with his palms. His arms are warm, like his reassuring eyes that lock onto mine, and the words he utters are like a lifeline in this sea of uncertainty. “Amber,” he says, his voice unwavering, “we’ll get through this. We should find Alex.”

The mention of Alex brightens my eyes and fills my heart with renewed determination. I nod, feeling Derrick’s strong hands enveloping mine as we start to walk through the debris. Our journey will be long and arduous, but the prospect of finding my nephew fuels our every step.

“You’re bleeding,” I tell him, looking at his face.

“Where?” he asks.

“Your forehead.”

“Oh. I’m okay. That’s the least of my worries now. I’ll be fine.”

We make our way through what was once a tarred road, and my thoughts drift to the time we spent together on that rooftop. It’s strange how circumstances have a way of bringing people together. Two strangers thrust into an unimaginable crisis, have forged an unexpected connection in the face of adversity.

I can’t help but look at Derrick, his resolute stride leading us forward, and feel an unfamiliar emotion coursing through me. I’ve always been guarded, and cautious with my heart, but now there’s something else. Is it real love, or simply the powerful bond that adversity can create? I’m not quite sure.

The deeper we venture into the aftermath of the disaster, the more my heart swells with affection for the man beside me. I admire his strength, his unwavering determination, and the gentle way he’s reached out to me. I cherish the moments of humor we’ve shared, the glimmers of hope we’ve found in each other, and the connection that continues to grow stronger with every step we take.

I can’t deny the feelings I have for Derrick, the love that has blossomed in the midst of this chaos. It was as unpredictable as the disaster that brought us together. My heart beats faster when I look at him, and the desire to be near him is undeniable.

Derrick glances over at me, and his eyes seem to reflect the same emotions I’m feeling. He may not say the words, but his actions speak volumes. His unwavering support, his dedication to finding my nephew, and the way he looks at me, all echo the unspoken bond between us.

Or maybe, could I be counting ghost numbers? What if he’s just being nice because of the circumstance we’d found ourselves in, together?

The world outside is a picture of chaos and despair as we walk through the devastated streets. I can’t help but notice the tears streaming down the faces of some, the frantic efforts of others trying to dig people out from beneath the rubble, and the grim procession of those carrying lifeless bodies. It’s a heartbreaking tableau of pain and loss.

We draw nearer to Alex’s school, and my heart constricts with dread. The once-familiar building now stands in ruins. I tremble, my hands quivering with each step, but I fight to hold myself together.

Derrick senses my distress. He places a comforting hand on my shoulder and speaks in a calm, soothing voice. “Amber, it’s going to be okay. We’re going to find Alex.” His reassuring words are a lifeline, and I take strength from his unwavering support.

We enter the dilapidated school grounds, and my heart continues to pound with anxiety. I can’t help but place a hand over my chest as if physically holding myself together.

As we explore the wreckage, we’re suddenly startled by a cacophony of noise from below. It’s the sound of hitting and pulling; muffled cries for help. We call out, and to our immense relief, some voices answer from beneath the debris.

A surge of elation washes over us. Derrick sprints to the street and shouts for help, attracting the attention of some young men. Together, they converge on the rubble, working diligently to remove the debris. The hope of rescuing those trapped below spurs them on.

Eventually, they clear a passage, revealing a door. As the door creaks open, a wave of emotions rushes through me. School teachers and children, their faces smudged with dust and terror, start to emerge. It’s a heartening sight, a symbol of survival amid the devastation.

My eyes scan the crowd of young faces, desperately searching for a familiar one. I watch as more kids continue to crawl out from the dark recesses of the destroyed building. With every passing second, my heart races faster, and my anxiety grows.

Derrick’s voice breaks through the commotion, his concern evident. “Amber, have you seen him?” he asks. My voice trembles as I respond with a shaky, “No.”

I keep searching, my heart pounding in my chest. My eyes dart from one child to another, their faces etched with fear and exhaustion. A gnawing fear twists in my stomach, but I can’t give in to despair. I must find Alex. I must hold onto hope.

And then, in a moment of surreal relief, I spot him. My breath catches, and I can hardly believe my eyes as Alex emerges from the back of the crowd. His eyes lock onto mine, and in a heartbeat, he’s sprinting toward me.

We meet in a fervent embrace, tears streaming down our faces. I hold him close, never wanting to let go. It’s a reunion of joy and relief, and the sheer magnitude of emotions leaves us both trembling. In that moment, amid the ruins of our world, we are together again. I wanted to scream out loud to my sister "I found him", but internally I wept with joy, so glad to have a piece of her left in my life.

Chapter eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

The weeks following the disaster fly by in quick succession, each day blurring into the next as we attempt to piece our lives back together. Amber and I, two survivors bound by circumstance, have leaned on each other for support and have navigated the chaotic aftermath as a team.

One of the first things we did was return to Amber’s now-ruined property, searching through the debris for any remnants of her past life. We manage to salvage a few precious items, bits of history that offer some semblance of comfort in the midst of loss.

I help her relocate with Alex to a safer area up north, away from the coastal regions affected by the tsunami. It’s a small respite from the traumatic memories of the disaster, a place where she can begin to rebuild her life. It’s far from ideal, but it’s a start, a fragile step toward normalcy.

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