The Unspoken Bond

Chapter 13: Sana's New Beginning

Sana woke up the next morning with a strange sense of lightness. It had been years since she had felt this way—unburdened, free from the weight of expectation. Aarav was gone, and for the first time, she wasn’t waiting for him to return. She wasn’t waiting for anyone.

The rain had cleared, leaving the sky a soft shade of blue, and Sana felt a surge of energy as she stepped outside. She had always loved Riverton in the morning—the way the town came to life slowly, the familiar faces of her neighbors as they went about their routines. But today, it felt different. Today, it felt like the world was full of possibilities.

She made her way to the local bookstore, a cozy little shop tucked away on Main Street. It was her favorite place to retreat when she needed to think, to lose herself in the pages of a good book. The smell of old paper and coffee greeted her as she stepped inside, and she felt a sense of calm settle over her.

Sana wandered through the aisles, her fingers brushing the spines of books, but her mind was elsewhere. For so long, she had defined herself by her relationship with Aarav, by the quiet longing she had carried for him. But now, she was beginning to realize that there was more to her life than waiting for someone to choose her.

She picked up a novel at random, flipping through the pages as she let her thoughts drift. Maybe it was time to start choosing herself. To figure out what she wanted, without worrying about anyone else.

As she browsed, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message from Leela: “You up for a girls’ night? I could use some company.”

Sana smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. Leela had been her rock for so long, always there when she needed someone to talk to. And now, with everything changing, Sana was more grateful than ever for their friendship.

“Absolutely. I’ll bring the wine,” she replied.