1. Same Night Sky

"Under the same night sky, we find solace in the stars."

~Unknown

The weather was absolutely stunning, with the rain ceasing and the sky adorned with clouds. A pleasant buzz filled the atmosphere. It was already late at night, around ten o'clock, as Luna Jackson strolled through the lawn, donning a light blue shirt with her long, silky hair cascading freely. She anxiously awaited the return of her father, who had been away on a business trip abroad for several days.

Although the rain had stopped, the gentle breeze caused her hair to flutter. Lost in her thoughts, she gazed up at the silent sky, where the moonlight illuminated everything, making her appear as though she were a part of the moon itself. Her mind wandered to a special someone, a captivating individual who had captured her heart like a charming king from a fairytale kingdom.

In her mind's eye, she reminisced about his face, her eyes closed in imagination. Unbeknownst to her, the guard opened the main gate of their house, allowing the car to swiftly enter. Startled, she blinked her eyes open, realizing she had been so engrossed in thoughts of someone else that she hadn't noticed the gate opening.

As the car came to a halt on the lawn, her gaze fell upon her father, who was tucking his phone into his pocket after retrieving it from the car's dashboard. Mr. Jackson had also caught sight of his beloved daughter and approached her with a smile. He stood tall at about six feet, possessed a fair complexion, bright eyes, and a beard adorning his face."Hello, my lovely daughter. How are you?" he asked excitedly, embracing her tightly.

"I'm fine and have been eagerly waiting for you," she joyfully replied.

"Let's head inside, otherwise your mother will get upset that the father and daughter are chatting away in the lawn," he teased Luna affectionately.

A smile formed on her face upon hearing her father's words. Together, they entered the lounge where Mrs. Jackson was seated on the couch. Spotting her husband, she stood up and exclaimed, "Thank God you've arrived. We've all been eagerly waiting for you."

Mrs. Jackson then served her husband a glass of juice, which he started sipping. Concerned, Mr. Jackson inquired, "Where are Eva and Ella?"

Eva and Ella were also Mr. Jackson's daughters, but Luna held a special place in his heart.

"They both fell asleep while waiting for you since they have to wake up early in the morning," Mrs. Jackson replied.

"Dad, you should rest. You must be tired. I'll ask the driver to bring your luggage inside," Luna said, beaming genuinely.

Mr. Jackson, appreciating his daughter's thoughtfulness, nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Luna," he replied with a warm smile.

Luna swiftly arranged for the driver to bring her father's luggage inside and then rejoined the family in the dining room, where they continued their dinner. Mr. Jackson shared stories of his travels, the excitement in his voice evident as he recounted the various people he met and the cultures he experienced. Luna listened intently, cherishing these moments with her father.

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It was already two o'clock at night when Ryan abruptly opened his eyes, feeling a heavy burden weighing on his heart. He dressed in black trousers and a shirt, then slipped on his slippers before heading to the terrace. The moon shone brightly, casting its ethereal glow over everything. Though the air carried a chill, his internal turmoil burned within him.

He paced quickly on the terrace, his thoughts consumed with his past, tormenting him with his own helplessness. He pondered over why he had become the way he was and why all these unfortunate events had befallen him. His mind was overwhelmed with countless thoughts as he stared into the sky, his eyes shut. Suddenly, raindrops fell on his face, gradually turning into a heavy downpour.

The rain felt like a cold shower, temporarily numbing the pain inside him. He stood there, letting the water soak his clothes, mixing with the tears that he didn’t realize were streaming down his face. His heart ached with the weight of unspoken words and unresolved feelings. The past clung to him like a shadow, ever-present and inescapable.

Eventually, he retreated back indoors, opening the door and entering his room. Flicking on the lights, he lay on his bed but found sleep evasive. The walls of his room felt like they were closing in, filled with memories he couldn't escape. Restless, he rose from the bed, retrieved sleeping pills from his side table drawer, and lay down on the bed again.

As the pills began to take effect, his mind drifted back to a time when he was happy, surrounded by family and friends. He remembered the laughter, the warmth of his mother's embrace, and the stern but loving guidance of his father. But those memories were now tainted with pain, as the reality of their absence hit him hard.Ryan's breathing slowed, and his eyelids grew heavy. As he finally drifted into a restless sleep, his thoughts lingered on a single hope - that maybe, just maybe, under the same night sky, he could find solace and a chance for a new beginning.

The next morning, the sun's rays filtered through the curtains, gently warming Ryan's face and coaxing him awake. As his eyes fluttered open, a sense of clarity washed over him. How could he allow himself to be consumed by such dark thoughts? He was living a good life alone; he didn't need to dwell on those who didn't care about his feelings and emotions.

Determined to start anew, Ryan stood up and headed to the bathroom. The warm water of the shower washed away the remnants of the previous night's despair, leaving him feeling refreshed and ready to face the day. He dressed in casual clothes, a simple yet comforting outfit that signaled a fresh start.

Making his way downstairs, Ryan was greeted by the familiar and comforting presence of Uncle Ellias, his longtime caretaker. Uncle Ellias had been with him since he was a child of nine, and even now, at twenty-two, he still treated Ryan with the same warmth and care."Good morning, Ryan," Uncle Ellias said, smiling while beating the eggs in a bowl. "I hope you slept well." he said.

Ryan couldn't help but smile back, feeling a sense of gratitude for the man who had always been there for him. "Good morning, Uncle Ellias. Thank you for making breakfast."

Ryan always thanked him for taking care of him, although he couldn't do much for him himself. His dad sent monthly expenses for Ryan and for Uncle Ellias as well. Ryan sat down to eat, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He decided that from this day forward, he would focus on living his life to the fullest, letting go of the past and embracing the present.