One Chance

Chapter 6 : Facing the Darkness

Several weeks passed, and Amira found herself slowly opening up more, not just to Arjun but to herself. She continued her therapy sessions, though they were far from easy. Each session felt like peeling back layers of armour she had built over the years, and some days, it left her feeling raw and vulnerable. But she was learning that vulnerability wasn't a weakness, it was a step toward healing. Her therapist, Dr . Pillay, was patient but firm, guiding her through the painful memories she had tried to bury for so long. They talked about her father, his temper, his abuse, the way he had controlled every aspect of her life until his death. And slowly, Amira began to understand that the fear and shame she carried weren't hers to bear. They were remnants of his control, chains she could finally break free from. One evening, after a particularly intense therapy session, Amira sat in her room, staring at the journal again. This time, she didn't hesitate. She picked up the pen and began to write. The words flowed, hesitant at first, but then faster, as if once she had opened the floodgates, she couldn't stop. 'Dear Dad,' she began. 'You hurt me. For so many years, you made me feel like I was worthless. Like I didn't matter. You made me believe that love was pain, that trust was something to be feared. I hated you for so long, and part of me still does. But I'm tired of carrying this weight. I'm tired of letting you control my life, even after you're gone. 'Tears blurred her vision, but she kept writing. 'I don't forgive you. Not yet. Maybe not ever. But I'm letting go of the hold you have on me. I'm learning to love myself again, to trust again. And I won't let your darkness define my future. 'She closed the journal, a sense of release washing over her. It wasn't a magical fix, her pain was still there, her trauma still real, but for the first time, she felt like she was reclaiming her narrative.