After living in the tiny apartment for a week, Sam and Valerie truly felt the hardships of their new life.The apartment was cramped and worn-out. The walls were peeling, dampness hung in the air like fog. There were no windows, no air conditioning, only a small electric fan humming quietly. Cockroaches scuttled out from the corners now and then.
Sam had always been afraid of cockroaches, but everytime he saw Valerie scream at them, he forced himself not to be afraid. He would catch the cockroaches and shoo them away, just to protect her. Seeing her feel safe because of him, a new sense of responsibility welled up inside him.
For breakfast, they shared half a loaf of bread or a small bun; lunch was the leftover loaf or bun from breakfast, and dinner, they shared a five-dollar bowl of street noodles. Life was harsh, yet having each other made it a little easier to bear.
Sam looked at the few bills left in his hand, anxiety pressing down on him. Valerie gently held his hand and smiled, "At least I have you."Sam smiled back. Despite the hardships, being able to protect her gave him an unprecedented sense of purpose.
They tried to find small joys in their struggles. Sam used a plastic bag as a makeshift trash can, and Valerie made a tiny kitchen corner with cardboard. They took turns cooking and doing laundry, even trying to blow away the stifling heat with the broken fan. Each small task was a challenge, but also a bridge that connected them closer.
Late at night, an unexpected crisis struck—the power went out, plunging the apartment into darkness. Dampness, cockroaches, and oppressive heat pressed in, along with the fear of the unknown.Sam held Valerie's hand tightly and whispered, "Don't be afraid. We're together."Leaning on his shoulder, Valerie trembled slightly, but her eyes glimmered. In the dark, they imagined the stars outside, imagining their future life slowly getting better.