#WritcoStoryPrompt120
Write a story based on the phrase "You will realize a person's worth when they
are gone."

Ali was a young and ambitious journalist who wanted to make a name for himself
in the world. He had a passion for writing and reporting, and he always looked
for the most exciting and challenging stories to cover. He was not afraid of
danger or controversy, and he often traveled to war zones, conflict areas, and
disaster sites to get the scoop.

He had a girlfriend, Zara, who loved him dearly and supported his dreams. She
was a teacher at a local school, and she always waited for him to come back
from his assignments. She worried about him a lot, but she knew he was doing
what he loved. She wrote him letters every day, telling him how much she missed
him and how proud she was of him. She also sent him pictures of their happy
moments together, hoping to cheer him up and remind him of home.

Ali appreciated Zara's letters, but he rarely replied to them. He was too busy
and too focused on his work. He thought he had no time for romance or
sentimentality. He took Zara for granted, and he assumed she would always be
there for him. He never told her how much he loved her or how much he needed
her. He never thanked her for her support or her patience. He never realized
how much she meant to him.

One day, Ali got an assignment to go to Syria, where a civil war was raging.
He was excited to cover the story, and he packed his bags without hesitation.
He did not even bother to say goodbye to Zara or call her before he left. He
just left a note on the table, saying he would be back soon.

Zara was heartbroken when she saw the note. She knew Syria was a dangerous
place, and she feared for Ali's safety. She wanted to talk to him, to tell him
how much she loved him and how much she wanted him to stay. But she had no way
of reaching him. She felt helpless and hopeless.

She decided to write him one last letter, pouring out her feelings and
emotions. She told him how much she missed him and how much she worried about
him. She told him how much she loved him and how much she wanted him to come
back. She told him how much he meant to her and how much she valued their
relationship. She told him everything she had never said before.

She sealed the letter with a kiss and sent it to his address in Syria, hoping
it would reach him somehow.

Ali received the letter a few days later. He was surprised to see Zara's
handwriting on the envelope. He opened it and read it with curiosity. As he
read the letter, he felt a surge of emotions. He felt touched by Zara's words
and moved by her sincerity. He felt guilty for neglecting her and sorry for
hurting her. He felt ashamed of himself for taking her for granted and not
appreciating her enough. He felt grateful for having her in his life and lucky
for being loved by her.

He realized how much he loved her and how much he needed her. He realized how
much she meant to him and how much he valued their relationship. He realized
everything he had never realized before.

He decided to write her back, telling her how he felt and apologizing for his
mistakes. He told her how much he missed her and how much he worried about her.
He told her how much he loved her and how much he wanted to come back. He told
her how much she meant to him and how much he valued their relationship. He
told her everything he had never said before.

He sealed the letter with a kiss and sent it back to her address in Pakistan,
hoping it would reach her somehow.

Zara never received the letter.

She died in a car accident on the way to the post office, where she hoped to
find another letter from Ali.

Ali never knew what happened to Zara.

He died in a bomb blast in Syria, where he hoped to finish his assignment.

They never saw each other again.

They never said goodbye.

They never realized each other's worth until they were gone.

**Moral**: Don't take your loved ones for granted. Tell them how you feel
before it's too late.
© JR2K6
12 Sept 2023