The jungle was no longer quiet.Gunfire cracked in the distance — sharp, echoing like the heartbeat of a dying land. The soldiers came at dawn, boots sinking into the wet earth, voices shouting in Khmer, harsh and commanding.
Sophea's face went pale the moment she heard them."They've found us," she whispered.
Samreth grabbed her hand. "Then we run—"
But it was too late.Armed men surrounded the hut, rifles pointed, their faces blank beneath red scarves. One of them, a commander with a cruel smirk, stepped forward.
"You two," he barked. "Names."
Sophea bowed her head slightly, her tone careful. "Comrade Sophea. And this is… my husband."
Samreth froze — the lie catching him off guard. But her hand squeezed his tightly, warning him to stay quiet.
The commander eyed them for a long moment. "Husband, huh?" He spat on the ground. "Then you should make it official."
Her heart skipped. "What do you mean,
comrade?"
The commander grinned. "Orders from the Party. Everyone must marry. No exceptions. Love or no love — it's all for Angkar."
The word Angkar hung heavy in the air — the invisible "Organization" that decided who lived, who died, and who was forced to belong to whom.
Samreth's breath caught. He had read about this — in his own time, in books, in documentaries. But now, he was standing inside it — watching it unfold with his own eyes.
The soldiers pushed them toward the village square, where other couples stood trembling beneath the morning sun. Some didn't even know each other's names. Others wept silently.
The commander raised his hand. "Repeat after me," he ordered.His voice cut through the air like a knife.One by one, the couples spoke the words they were forced to say — vows not born of love, but of fear.
When it was Samreth and Sophea's turn, they faced each other.Her eyes shimmered with tears, but she didn't look away.
"I'm sorry," she whispered under her breath. "If I don't do this, they'll kill us."
He swallowed hard. "Then I'll do it," he said softly. "I'll stay. Whatever happens, I'll stay with you."
The commander barked, "Say the words!"
Samreth took her hands. His voice was steady, even as his heart broke."I vow… to live beside you, through war and peace."
Sophea repeated faintly, "Through war and peace."
The soldiers clapped mockingly. "Good! Angkar approves!"
Rifles fired into the air, echoing like thunder — a cruel celebration.Sophea flinched, tears falling freely now.
As the crowd began to scatter, Samreth leaned close and whispered, "They can force us to marry under their rules… but they can't touch what's real."
She looked up at him, eyes burning with quiet strength. "You really stayed for me?"
He nodded. "In my time, I could have gone back. I felt my parents calling me. But if I left… I'd lose you forever."
Her hand trembled as she touched his cheek. "Then you'll live in a time that isn't yours."
He smiled faintly. "Maybe my time was never where I was born — maybe it's wherever you are."
That night, the village was silent. Only the distant sound of crying and the soft crackle of fire filled the air.Samreth lay awake, staring at the ceiling, his heart torn between two worlds — one calling him back, one holding him still.
And deep within him, Athisa's voice whispered again:
"Love has power, Samreth. But remember — every choice reshapes the past."
Samreth turned to Sophea, sleeping beside him.He had made his choice.But history… had only just begun to take its toll.