Did my words reach you?

Yuriy reflected on the unusual meeting, murmuring, "Those people were far from common. Who could be behind that haunting voice?"

As he approached the men's quarters, he crossed a modest bridge that connected to the heart of the compound. Pausing, his eyes were drawn to a tree opposite his residence. He observed intently, his grip unconsciously tightening into a fist, lost in silent contemplation.

Upon entering the quarters, Yuriy climbed the stairs towards his room where he was met with an eager face. "Ah, Vladyslav, are you going on a tour?" Yuriy greeted him with a knowing smile.

"Yuriy, I've looked everywhere for you. Where had you vanished to?" Vladyslav inquired. Yuriy's immediate discomfort was evident as perspiration formed on his forehead. Vladyslav's gaze sharpened, sensing Yuriy's unease. Yuriy was torn; he couldn’t muster the courage to confide in Vladyslav, but neither did he want to deceive him. Vladyslav's expression grew more cunning, as if connecting the dots, and he teased, "Not again. Did you sneak off with that girl from the other day?"

With a resigned look, Yuriy responded, "It's not what you think, and I can't seem to find her." Vladyslav studied Yuriy briefly before his features softened into a smile, seemingly content with Yuriy's earnestness. Before Vladyslav could continue, Yuriy quickly interjected, "You mentioned you were looking for me earlier?"

Vladyslav nodded, "Yes, I wanted to discuss Vasyl. He borrowed my headphones and hasn't been seen since. he took them without asking, He knows I can't sleep without listening to the sound of rain." Yuriy's brows furrowed in thought, "I haven't come across him, but I'll relay your message if I do."

The pair nodded in agreement and went separate ways. As Yuriy ascended the stairs to his room, he paused when he noticed his door was slightly open. "Was someone here?" he wondered aloud.

Carefully pushing the door open, he quickly surveyed the room. To his surprise, he found Vasyl sprawled on his bed, deeply engrossed in sleep, wearing Vladyslav's coveted headphones.

With a mix of astonishment and exasperation, Yuriy exclaimed, "What on earth are you doing in my room?"

Vasyl remained undisturbed, lost in the depths of his sleep, the music from the headphones acting as his cocoon. Recognizing this, Yuriy gave Vasyl several vigorous shakes, causing him to stir and slowly open his eyes. "Hmm? Yuriy?" Vasyl murmured groggily, "Took you long enough."

Yuriy's voice held a note of irritation as he shot back, "Did you think using my room as a hideout from Vladyslav was a good idea?"

Vasyl, sensing the mood, quickly shifted gears, "Yuriy, I've discovered where the girl you were with last night is." Yuriy's eyes snapped to Vasyl's, shock evident in his expression, "You're talking about Yulia? How did you find out?"

With a smirk, Vasyl replied, "It wasn't too challenging. Think of it as my way of making up for messing up your evening. Here, let me show you something."

Vasyl made his way to Yuriy's desk, where he promptly opened a laptop he'd brought along. "I've got both her address and her email. Do you want to contact her?"

Yuriy's fist tightened, his face growing serious. After a brief pause, he uttered a quiet, "Yes."

Yuriy settled in front of the desk, his fingers hovering over the keyboard, momentarily paralyzed by uncertainty. Vasyl's presence seemed to amplify his hesitation. Noticing this, Vasyl grinned, "I'll give you some space, Yuriy. Maybe solitude will bring some clarity. I need to return Vladyslav's headphones anyway. Catch you later." He added teasingly, "And, uh, steer clear of a file named 'Late Nights'—you might stumble upon something intriguing." Flashing a knowing smile, Vasyl murmured to himself, "Best of luck, Yuriy."

With a deep breath, Yuriy began typing. Each keystroke was deliberate, as he sought the right words to address the events of that fateful night.

Subject: To My Dearest Yulia,

Yulia, this marks the first time I've begun an email with such warmth and intimacy. The unfamiliarity of it is palpable, and while I've tried penning such a sentiment before, my efforts fell short. Perhaps it's because formality and I never quite saw eye-to-eye, but let me be candid about my feelings. In doing so, I hope to share my most genuine emotions, devoid of any pretense.

The day we crossed paths, even amidst our brief exchange, time felt fleeting. The overwhelming grief I felt after witnessing the loss of my loved ones, which previously seemed interminable, faded away the moment our eyes met. It might seem peculiar that I'm conveying these emotions via email, and even more so because this is my first such endeavor to a lady. Yet, there's a part of me that feels comfortable showing you this vulnerability.

Yulia, I wish nothing more than to shield you from any sorrow. I long to see that radiant smile of yours, the same one that lit up our surroundings when we first met. I yearn to hear that infectious laughter of yours that resonated through the festive crowd. I vow to you, Yulia, that I'll strive to bring an end to this conflict and restore balance. And when that day comes, may you lead the life you've always dreamt of.

Warmly,

Yuriy.

Yuriy poured every emotion into his email and took a deep breath, his finger hovering over the "Send" button. Doubts swirled in his mind. Letting out a sigh, he shut his laptop and lay back on his bed, reflecting on the intense training he underwent earlier.

Meanwhile, Yulia's phone buzzed softly against the fabric of her bed. The notification indicated a message from Yuriy. She paused, her reflection momentarily forgotten in the mirror where she had been preparing herself. Intrigue and surprise quickened her steps as she approached her phone. As she opened the message and saw Yuriy's name, her eyes widened in astonishment.