Luna was still in Taipei.
She had arrived two weeks ago, and she was not ready to leave. Not yet.
After her adventures in London, New York, and Amsterdam, Taipei felt different — quieter, warmer, more like home.
She had found a small guesthouse near the old part of the city.
She had a favourite breakfast spot where she ordered the same thing every morning: a warm egg pancake and a cup of sweet soy milk.
She knew which metro line to take. She knew where the best mango ice was. She even had a regular seat at the night market — second stall on the left, right next to the man who sold grilled corn.
Taipei had a way of making you stay longer than you planned.
And Luna was happy to stay.
But today, something went wrong.
Luna was sitting on a bench in a big open square near the city centre. There was a large white building behind her with a beautiful blue roof.
The sun was warm. The pigeons were walking slowly around her feet. She reached into her small travel bag to find her wallet.
It was gone.
She checked again. She turned the bag upside down. Her notebook fell out. Her little map fell out. A half-eaten biscuit fell out.
But no wallet.
“Oh no,” she said quietly. “Oh no, oh no, oh no.”
Her wallet had everything — her money, her metro card, her bank card. She had enough coins for one cup of tea. That was all.
It was getting late. The sky was turning orange and pink. Luna needed a place to sleep. She needed help.
She sat very still for a moment. Then she remembered someone.
Her Auntie Mei.
Auntie Mei lived in Taipei. She was a small, warm woman who always had soup on the stove and an extra blanket on the sofa.
Luna hadn’t called her in three months. She felt a little embarrassed.
But she picked up her phone and called anyway.
It rang twice.
“Luna! Is that you?” Auntie Mei’s voice was bright and happy.
“Hi, Auntie Mei,” Luna said. “I’m so sorry to call like this. I’m in Taipei, and… I lost my wallet. I have no money and nowhere to stay tonight. I’m really sorry to ask, but—”
“Luna.” Auntie Mei’s voice was calm and kind. “What is the address near you?”
Luna looked around. She found a street sign. She read it out loud.
“Good,” said Auntie Mei. “Don’t move. I’m coming.”
Twenty minutes later, a small red scooter stopped in front of the bench. Auntie Mei was wearing a yellow helmet and carrying a bag of food.
“You look tired,” she said, looking at Luna carefully.
“I’m okay,” Luna said. “I’m just… a little embarrassed.”
“Why?” said Auntie Mei. “You called someone who loves you. That is not embarrassing. That is smart.”
Luna felt something warm in her chest.
They drove through the city together. The lights of Taipei glittered all around them. Luna held on tight and watched the streets go by.
That night, Luna slept on Auntie Mei’s sofa under a thick blanket. She ate a bowl of warm noodle soup. She felt safe.
Before she fell asleep, she made a small plan in her notebook.
Step one: Call the bank tomorrow. Block the old card. Get a new one.
Step two: Keep a small amount of emergency cash in a different pocket.
Step three: Continue the journey.
She tapped her pen on the paper and smiled.
She still wanted to see Japan. And South Korea. And maybe Vietnam. There was so much of Asia left to explore.
Losing her wallet was scary. But she had asked for help, and help had come.
Luna closed her notebook, closed her eyes, and listened to the quiet sound of the city outside.
She was safe. She was still a traveler. And tomorrow, the adventure would continue.
Goodnight, Luna.