11

Julian's home was still decorated the same as when I first left, covered with dust and cobwebs. He came home drunk at night and called my name, but all he got in response was silence. In the past, I would have prepared meals and waited for him to come home. As soon as he opened the door, I would happily hug him and change his clothes. There must be a bowl of mutton soup hot in the pot. That was the first good meal we had when we were the poorest and I had just received my salary after working odd jobs for a month. We sat on the greasy stools of a roadside stall. I put the mutton into his bowl. He drank the soup in big gulps and said to me, " Luna , I will remember this bowl of mutton soup for the rest of my life. When I have money, I will never let you live like this again. We drank mutton soup every day!"

I floated in the air, watching all this, like a new couple looking at the old scene, filled with sorrow. There are traces of the life he and I lived here everywhere, I don't want to stay here anymore, memories will only cause sadness. My body has been stolen, and I don't know where to go.

Suddenly , Julian seemed to feel something, and burst into tears at the door, almost yelling, " Luna , are you back to see me? I know I was wrong, please forgive me. I was blinded by money. It's raining outside, your knees must be hurting, don't leave tonight, stay with me, okay. You were so good before, but I didn't know how to cherish you. Can you forgive me, Luna ? Luna..."