Isla could hardly contain herself when she let out a cry of overwhelming happiness in her office, embracing Daniel, who had just brought her the happiest news since her father's passing. The director had ordered them to prepare for their departure to the island, to continue their research there, secluded from a world where she had never truly felt safe.
They exchanged kisses right there in the office, swept up in sheer joy. Finally, she would see Iris, her dear friend. *I wonder if she's alright?* That was all she could think about now. And at last, she would be free from George's annoying harassment, able to live peacefully in the arms of her beloved—the one who would accompany her on this mission.
Daniel took her home, and they agreed to start gathering their belongings immediately. There was no time to waste—in just three days, they had to be on the island. She rushed inside and hurried to her aunt, announcing the news:
—Auntie, I'm finally going back to the island! The director has ordered it.
Her aunt's face darkened with sorrow as she asked:
—How can that be? Are you really happy to leave me? I never thought you'd be so cold-hearted.
Isla replied with pity in her voice:
—Auntie, don't be sad. I won't be far from you—you can visit me. You know how much I love you. You remind me of my mother, whom I never got to see. But you know how attached I am to the island… and to Iris.
Her aunt smiled and answered:
—Don't worry, I'll come visit you. I've grown attached to you too—you've carved a place in my heart. You remind me so much of my sister, it's as if she never left me.
At that, Isla hugged her aunt tightly, tears streaming down her face. Her aunt reminded her of the mother she had never known. She wished she could have lived with her, even for just one day, and felt the warmth of her embrace.
Fate had been stronger than anything when it took her mother, and then her father. Perhaps it had been cruel to her, but now, at last, it was smiling upon her—giving her two of the kindest hearts: her beloved Daniel and her tender-hearted aunt.
Through her trials, Isla had come to realize that life takes as much as it gives. It never moves in a single rhythm—we are forever tossed upon its bed, our emotions shifting with it. One moment, we mourn what has hurt us; the next, we paint the brightest smiles for dreams come true, sending us soaring with joy toward the horizon.
As if happiness only descends from the heavens above to embrace us, while sorrow only rises from below—so we weep for it, hidden in our corners, hoping the sky will gather it into its clouds and replace it with a new dawn.