Chapter 11

                                    

                                          
Sana was pacing back and forth in her room, her thoughts spiraling out of control. The walls felt like they were closing in on her, the weight of the evening’s events pressing down on her chest. She could still hear the echoes of laughter and celebration from downstairs, where everyone was rejoicing over her and Sidharth’s engagement. But for Sana, it was too much, too soon. The suddenness of it all was making her feel suffocated, as if she couldn’t breathe.
How could she possibly accept this marriage right now? How could she move forward when her past still haunted her, gnawing at her every time she dared to imagine a future? The memories she had tried so hard to bury were now resurfacing, stronger and more painful than ever. She felt trapped, cornered by expectations and her own fears.
As she paced, her mind racing, there was a soft knock on the door. She barely noticed it until the door creaked open slightly, and a familiar voice called out gently.
“Sana? May I come in?”
Sana turned toward the voice, her heart skipping a beat. It was Mohana, her friend who had always seemed to understand her without her having to say a word. Behind Mohana stood Sahil, his expression one of quiet concern. 
Sana nodded, trying to muster a smile, but it was weak, barely holding up against the turmoil inside her. Mohana walked in, her eyes never leaving Sana’s face, reading the distress etched into her features.
“I know you’re in a dilemma, Sana,”
Mohana began, her voice soft but firm. She walked closer, taking Sana’s hands in hers. 
“And I know that what happened to you six years ago… it’s not something you can easily forget or move past.”
At those words, the dam that Sana had been holding back all evening finally broke. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over as she tried to hold herself together. But the pain was too much, too overwhelming. She couldn’t keep it inside any longer.
Sana broke down completely, her knees buckling as she crumpled onto the bed. Mohana and Sahil were quick to support her, guiding her to sit down as she sobbed uncontrollably. 
“I’m so scared, Mohana,” 
Sana cried, her voice trembling with the weight of her fears. 
“I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I can trust again, if I can open my heart to someone… What if I’m making a mistake? What if… What if I’m not enough?”
Mohana sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, while Sahil sat on her other side, his presence a comforting anchor in the storm of her emotions. They didn’t say anything for a moment, letting Sana cry, letting her release the fear and pain that had been bottled up inside her for so long.
“You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for, Sana,” 
Mohana finally said, her voice gentle and soothing. 
“We’re all here for you, and no one expects you to just forget everything that happened. But you’re stronger than you think, and you deserve happiness.”
Sana sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. 
“But what if I can’t find that happiness? What if… What if I can’t be the person everyone wants me to be?”
Sahil, who had been silent until now, spoke up, his voice filled with quiet determination. 
“Sana, you don’t have to be anything for anyone. You just need to be yourself. Sidharth isn’t expecting you to be perfect or to have it all figured out. He just wants to be there for you, to support you. And so do we.”