Fake promise

Daniel ran as fast as he could, the cold sea breeze brushing against his face. His heart pounded with excitement. Victor, his closest friend, had sent him a letter with a simple message:

"Meet me at midnight on the Titanic. It's coming from the south of the sea. I’ll be there."

Daniel had waited for this moment for years. He stepped onto the grand ship, his eyes searching the crowd. The Titanic was massive, filled with people from different places, but Daniel was only looking for one person—Victor.

Midnight was near, and Daniel stood by the railing, his hands gripping the cold metal. He kept looking around, expecting to see Victor walking toward him with a smile.

But the clock struck twelve, and Victor did not come.

The passengers slowly disappeared into their rooms. The ship became quiet.

Daniel stayed.

"He made a promise," Daniel whispered to himself. "He will come."

One hour passed. Then two. Then an entire night.

But Victor never came.

Daniel refused to leave. Days passed. He made friends with some sailors, listened to stories of travelers, and explored the deep parts of the ship. But every night, he returned to the same spot, waiting.

"A promise is not just words. It is a bond," he told himself. "Victor wouldn’t break it."

People on the ship started whispering about him. Some felt sorry for him, while others laughed.

"He’s waiting for someone who will never come," they said.

But Daniel ignored them.

Weeks passed. His fine clothes became worn out. His face, once full of life, looked tired. But the hope in his eyes never faded.

One stormy night, an old sailor sat beside him. "Son, this ship won’t stay here forever."

"I know," Daniel said, staring at the sea. "But I must wait for Victor."

The sailor sighed. "The Titanic is leaving for new waters tomorrow. If your friend is coming from the south, why don’t you go find him instead?"

Daniel hesitated. But the thought made sense. Maybe Victor had been delayed. Maybe he was still waiting somewhere.

The next morning, Daniel left the Titanic and boarded a small boat. He sailed south, where Victor had promised to come from.

The journey was not easy. Strong waves pushed against his boat. He faced storms that almost drowned him. Pirates tried to steal from him. But Daniel did not turn back.

"A true friend wouldn’t lie," he told himself. "I just have to find him."

After many months, he reached a small island. The villagers there spoke of a man named Victor—rich, respected, and living in a large house by the sea.

Daniel’s heart raced as he followed their directions. When he reached the mansion, he saw Victor standing on a balcony, looking at the ocean.

"Victor!" Daniel called out.

Victor turned, his eyes widening in surprise. For a moment, he looked guilty. Then he forced a smile. "Daniel… What are you doing here?"

Daniel took a shaky breath. "I waited for you, Victor. For years! On the Titanic, just like you promised."

Victor looked away. "Daniel… I never meant for you to actually wait. It was just words. A simple promise."

Daniel felt like the ground beneath him had disappeared. "Just words?"

Victor sighed. "Life moved on, Daniel. I moved on. I didn’t think you’d take it seriously."

Daniel stood frozen. The friend he had trusted, the promise he had believed in—it had all been a lie.

"A fake promise is worse than a lie," he thought. "Because it gives you hope before it destroys you."

Without another word, he turned and walked away. The sea stretched before him, dark and endless.

Daniel had spent years waiting for a friend who had forgotten him. Now, there was nothing left to wait for.

As he stepped onto the shore, he whispered to himself, "Never again."

And without looking back, he disappeared into the distance, leaving behind a broken promise and a friendship that had never truly existed.

The End.