Ninjago stories

Forgive yourself

Rumi sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on the floor. The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioning. She felt an overwhelming weight in her chest, a mix of guilt and confusion that seemed to suffocate her. The lavish gifts and heartfelt gestures from her friends and loved ones only made her feel more undeserving. She had been given a second chance, despite the harm she nearly caused, and yet she couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal.

Her thoughts were so engulfed in self-reproach that she didn't notice Lloyd approaching her. His green arms wrapped around her gently, pulling her into a comforting embrace. Rumi remained motionless, her mind tangled in a web of regret and despair. It wasn’t until Lloyd’s voice broke through her turmoil that she realized he was there.

"Rumi."

She looked up, her vision blurred by unshed tears. Lloyd’s green eyes, full of concern and understanding, met hers. The warmth of his embrace contrasted sharply with the cold dread she felt inside. His presence was both a balm and a torment, a reminder of how much she had nearly lost.

"L... Lloyd?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Who were you expecting, the queen of Love?" Lloyd’s tone was light, but there was an undercurrent of seriousness in his words. He held her close, his warmth seeping into her, grounding her in the present moment.

Rumi’s heart ached as she buried her face in his shoulder, the tears finally breaking free. She felt his comforting arms around her, but the guilt remained, festering in her soul. How could she have been so reckless? How could she have put the people she loved in such danger?

“I don’t deserve this,” she choked out, her voice muffled by Lloyd’s shoulder. “Not one bit. I almost—”

Lloyd interrupted her softly, his voice filled with an unwavering calm. “You’ve already made amends, Rumi. We all know how much you care. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t believe in you.”

Rumi shook her head, the weight of her actions pressing down on her. She felt like a traitor, unworthy of the love and forgiveness being offered to her. She tried to pull away, to distance herself from the kindness she felt she didn’t deserve, but Lloyd’s hold tightened.

“Stop,” Lloyd said gently but firmly. “You’re not a traitor. You’re someone who made a mistake. We all do. What matters is that you’re here now, trying to make things right.”

Rumi looked up at him, her eyes searching his face for the truth in his words. The sincerity in Lloyd’s eyes was undeniable, but the inner conflict raged on. She was still grappling with the sense of betrayal she felt, not only to herself but to everyone who had stood by her.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked, her voice trembling. “After everything that happened, why are you still here?”

Lloyd’s expression softened, and he cupped her face gently in his hands. “Because I believe in you, Rumi. Because I love you. And because, despite everything, you’re worth it.”

The weight of his words slowly began to lift the burden from her shoulders. Rumi’s tears continued to fall, but now they were mingled with a glimmer of hope. She wasn’t sure if she could ever fully forgive herself, but Lloyd’s unwavering support was a step towards healing.

----------

Later that day, as Rumi and Lloyd strolled through the shops, they overheard hushed whispers and snide remarks about Rumi. The words were sharp and hurtful, cutting through the fragile sense of self-worth she had been trying to rebuild.

“She’s the one who nearly caused that disaster, isn’t she?” one person murmured.

“Yeah, I heard she’s not to be trusted,” another voice added, filled with disdain.