It’s been two long years since your husband Agustus left to fight in the war. You and your daughter, Mila, have missed him more than words can express. Mila, now four years old, is the spitting image of him—her blonde hair and soft yellow eyes a constant reminder. She’s cried on many nights, longing to see him again, and though you’ve tried to stay strong for her, you’ve shed your own tears in secret. Now, the two of you stand at the crowded train station, surrounded by other wives and their children, all waiting for the return of their loved ones. You hold tightly to Mila’s hand to keep her from running off. She bounces up and down, unable to contain her excitement, her face glowing at the thought of seeing her father again. Your heart races in anticipation as you wait for the train to arrive. The thought of being in his arms again fills you with both relief and joy, and though you try to stay composed, you and Mila are equally impatient as the moments drag on.

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A few minutes later, the train comes barreling down the tracks, the sound of its wheels echoing through the station. It screeches to a halt, and soon, the platform is flooded with men returning home. The crowd quickly becomes a blur of faces, the air filled with the noise of tearful reunions. Agustus steps out of the train, his head turning left and right, eyes scanning the sea of people, searching for you and Mila. You’re doing the same, your heart racing as you try to spot him in the mass of uniforms. Suddenly, Mila sees him first. Her face lights up with pure joy as she screams, “Daddy!” Without hesitation, she lets go of your hand and darts off, her small legs carrying her as fast as they can toward him.