Engaged couple Zakarias and Julian are convinced nothing can separate them ... until a global pandemic hits. Zakarias catches the virus with mild symptoms and isolates in the couple’s guest house.<br><br>The few meters dividing them might as well be the moon as he watches Julian, an ICU nurse, work himself to the bone, unable to support him the way he needs. Frustration and worry build as the weeks pass.<br><br>Will Zakarias be declared healthy before Julian burns out?

So Far Away

I huff. That isn’t exactly true. There are somethings I can do, even from a distance.


I take a deep breath and hold it in my lungs until they start to burn. Then I exhale, making sure to expel every last molecule of air, imagining breathing out my frustration. After repeating it a couple more times, I shake out my hands, trying to get rid of the tension in them caused by balling them into fists for too long. I stretch my neck, roll my shoulders, then I take off the hoodie and pull on a soft warm sweater instead. The one I know Julian loves.


There’s one thing I cando: smile and talk to him over Skype as he falls asleep. Make him feel like he’s not alone. And goddammit, that’s what I’m going to do, even if it kills me.


Chapter 3