Holding On To Hope

Chapter 18: Anchored by Love

The sun was already high when Lina awoke, a warmth filtering through the curtains of her room. It was the kind of peaceful morning that had been rare in her life lately. As she stretched beneath the soft covers, she let herself feel a quiet contentment. She had no work today, no responsibilities.

She reached for her phone, checking for any messages. There was a text from Grayson, sent an hour earlier.

Grayson:
Can I have a day with my little sister tomorrow? remember, Leon ain't the only brother you have 😛! I'll pick you up tomorrow noon. You better be ready!

Lina smiled at the screen, amused by Grayson's playfulness. She was grateful for moments like these, for the small, normal routines that kept her grounded. She wasn't fully healed, but every day felt like a small step forward.

She slowly got out of bed, mindful of her lingering pain, but it was easier now. The sharp ache in her ribs had dulled to a manageable soreness. The recovery had been slow, but Leon and Grayson had been constant, always keeping an eye on her, always reminding her to take it easy.

As she went through the motions of her morning, making her bed and preparing for the day, her mind drifted back to last night's prayer. The calm she had felt during Isha still lingered, a reminder that no matter how hard things got, she always had Allah, always had her faith to hold on to.

She performed her Dhuhr prayer quietly, her thoughts clear as she moved through the motions. Each act of prayer was like a reset button for her, a way to refocus her mind and heart on what really mattered.

After finishing, she folded her prayer mat and wandered into the living room, where Leon was sitting on the couch, his laptop open on the coffee table in front of him. He looked up as she entered, giving her a tired but warm smile.

"You're up early for once," he teased, closing the laptop and leaning back into the couch.

Lina chuckled as she walked over to him. "If you can call 11 a.m. early."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "In your world, it is."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that crept onto her face. "Grayson's picking me up tomorrow. I'm excited for a day with my brother."

Leon smiled, his eyes scanning her face with his usual concern. "Are you sure you're up for it? If you're tired or—"

"I'm fine, Leon," Lina interrupted gently. "I'm feeling better, really."

Lina insisted on watching a season and both the siblings binged watched. It was their sibling time that both of them always loved.

After Dinner, Leon asked if she was okay. "Lay down for a while. You'll hurt yourself Lina" he said. Lina rolled her eyes "Leon, relax. I'll lay down if I feel uncomfortable. Okay?"

He didn't seem convinced, but he didn't argue. Instead, he patted the seat beside him, silently asking her to sit. Lina took the spot next to him, leaning back and exhaling softly.

They shared a comfortable silence, but something felt off. Lina noticed that Leon seemed low, a heaviness clouding his usual warmth. After a moment, he shifted in his seat, his expression uncharacteristically somber.

"Hey," Lina said softly, leaning closer. "What's on your mind?"

Leon sighed deeply, staring at the screen blankly as if searching for the right words. "I don't know. Just... everything." His voice was barely above a whisper.

Lina's heart ached for him. "You want to talk about it?"

He shook his head, but it was clear that the weight on his shoulders was too heavy to carry alone. "I just feel... tired," he admitted, finally looking up at her. "Tired of everything."

Lina felt a surge of empathy. Without thinking, she kept side hugged him.  "I'm listening."

For a moment, he hesitated, then slowly melted and kept his head on her shoulder. Lina could feel the tension in his body, the exhaustion that seemed to seep into his bones.

"I just want some peace," he murmured, his voice cracking. "I feel like I'm fighting battles I can't win."

Lina gently wiped away a tear that had escaped down his cheek. "You don't have to fight alone. You have me, and Grayson too. We're here for you, no matter what."

Leon took a shaky breath, the tension in his shoulders slowly easing. "It's just hard sometimes."

"I know it is," Lina said softly. "But it's okay to feel that way. It doesn't make you weak. It makes you human."

After a moment, Leon pulled back, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thanks, Lina."

"Anytime," she replied, giving him a small, encouraging smile.

As the silence settled back in, Lina reached down and gently slipped off Leon's shoes, then carefully arranged his legs on the bed. She pulled up a blanket to cover him, ensuring he was comfortable.

"You should rest," she said softly. "I'll be right here."

Leon nodded, his eyes already fluttering closed. "I don't deserve this," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

"Of course, you do," Lina insisted gently. "You deserve all the peace you can get."

Within moments, Leon was asleep, the weight of the world slowly lifting as he surrendered to the comfort of her presence. Lina took a moment to watch him, feeling a mix of sadness and affection for her brother. He had always been her protector, the one who stood strong against the storms of life. But even the strongest of souls needed a refuge.

Once she was sure he was settled, Lina quietly got up, careful not to disturb him, and made her way to his room. She settled into his bed, and allowed herself to breathe deeply, letting the peace of the moment envelop her.

As she drifted off to sleep, she couldn't help but pray for both of them—asking Allah to bring peace to Leon's heart, to grant him the serenity he so desperately needed. They were both on this journey together, and with hope in her heart, she surrendered to the comfort of sleep, knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges, but also new moments of love and resilience.