One Chance

Chapter 11 : A New Challenge

The last year had been transformative for Amira. She had worked hard to reclaim her life, to understand her trauma, and to learn how to love again. Her relationship with Arjun continued to grow stronger, and her bond with her mother deepened. But, as she was learning, life's challenges didn't end once you overcame your past. They merely evolved.It was the start of their final year of university, and with it came the pressure of planning their futures. Arjun had been accepted into a prestigious business internship, while Amira was working on her senior thesis in psychology, focusing on trauma and healing, an area she felt passionate about. They often spent late nights together studying, discussing their dreams, and imagining what life after graduation might look like.But beneath their hopeful plans, something had begun to shift. Arjun was throwing himself into his internship, often working long hours and coming home exhausted. Amira, meanwhile, was deeply invested in her research, spending days in the library or in meetings with her professors. Slowly but surely, they began drifting apart, not intentionally, but as a result of their growing responsibilities and the inevitable stress of planning their lives.One night, as they sat in their favourite café, the tension that had been simmering between them finally came to the surface."I feel like we barely see each other anymore," Amira said, her voice tinged with frustration. "You're always busy with work, and when we do spend time together, it feels like we're both too exhausted to really connect." Arjun sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. I'm sorry, Amira. This internship is demanding a lot more from me than I expected. But it's important for my career. I'm trying to balance everything, but it's hard.""I get that, but I'm important too," she said quietly. "I don't want to feel like I'm competing with your job for your attention. And lately, that's how it feels."Arjun looked at her, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and confusion. "I don't want you to feel like that. But this is temporary, right? Once things settle down, we'll have more time for each other.""Will we?" Amira asked, her voice wavering. "What happens when you graduate and get a full-time job? What happens when your career takes over your life? Will I always come second?"The question hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken fears. They had been through so much together, but this was a new kind of struggle, one that didn't come from Amira's past or her trauma, but from the uncertainty of their future. And it scared her. She didn't want to lose him, but she also didn't want to lose herself in the process.