Rey stood at the window of his small apartment, looking out at the city lights of Manila. The streets below were alive with the sound of horns, laughter, and street vendors calling out their wares. Yet, in his heart, there was silence—a void that only one voice could fill. Thousands of miles away, Reina sat on her balcony in Barcelona, sipping a glass of sangria, her phone clutched in her hand. The Mediterranean breeze tousled her hair, but her eyes were fixed on the glowing screen.

“Are you there?” she typed, her heart pounding even though she knew the answer.

The reply came instantly: “Always.”

Rey and Reina’s story began two years ago in the unlikeliest of places—a virtual art forum. Rey, an amateur photographer, had posted a shot of a bustling Manila market. Reina, an aspiring painter, commented on the photo, admiring the interplay of light and shadows. Their conversation started with art but soon expanded into life, dreams, and everything in between.

What began as sporadic exchanges turned into daily messages, then long video calls. They shared stories of their cultures, aspirations, and fears. Rey loved how Reina spoke passionately about her art, her voice lilting...