I don't want you to go

"I will try," I said, squeezing her hand reassuringly. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and I reached out to wipe it away with my finger, feeling my heart shatter at the sight of her pain.

"For how long will you be there?" she asked, her voice breaking.

The truth was, I didn't know.

It could take months, years, even longer.

The mission was uncertain, dependent on so many factors, including my own survival.

I looked at her, searching for the right words. "Six months," I said, giving her a vague response, hoping it would be enough to ease her fears. "Hopefully, I'll be done in six months."

Kristen's face crumpled, and she hugged me tightly, her body shaking with sobs. "I will miss you," she cried, her voice breaking with emotion.

I held her close, feeling the weight of our impending separation pressing down on me like a heavy burden…