ᴠᴇɪɴꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜰɪʀᴇ

Chapter 01

L I Y A N A

Life is not a bed of roses..

I remembered hearing that phrase but never think deeply about it. At that time, I didn't knew how true it was. I always think of my life as a fairytale, ---happy and loving. No trouble, no sadness.

I had everything anyone could  ever want, a loving, protective father, a caring yet annoying brother, an aunt who was like a mother, showering me with endless love, and a best friend who irritated me to no end but was always there for me.

My family fulfilled every wish I had, often before I even voiced it out. Yet, I never took anything for granted. I worked hard to achieve my goals and make my family proud.

I was happy, content with my life. But everything fell apart because of one misunderstanding.
I had goals. Some purposes in my life like every other girl out there. I wanted to fulfil all of them.

They are right when they says, it only takes few seconds to change your life completely. Unfortunately, I experienced those few seconds.

I was once a joyful, bubbly soul, the kind of person who could light up a room with just my presence, always cracking jokes, meeting everyone with a smile on my face. But over the past year and a half, I've slowly lost that part of myself. It's like the light inside me has completely gone, and now the simplest things that used to bring me joy feel so distant. Even the thought of meeting someone makes me anxious now.

I can't even manage a small smile anymore for my worried father, who only wants one thing—to see me happy. I see the concern in his eyes every day, but no matter how hard I try, I just can't bring myself to fake happiness for his sake. I know he can see through me so I don't try to fake anything.

My brother, with all his silly dad jokes and nonserious antics, tries so hard to make me laugh, to remind me of who I used to be. He's constantly doing everything he can to cheer me up, as if he believes that one more joke might finally break through the darkness that surrounds me.

But instead of laughing like I used to, I find myself staring blankly at void, unable to feel the joy I know they both so desperately want me to feel.
They are always by my side, constantly offering comfort, support, and love. I can see how much they're trying, how much they're hurting too, watching me fade away.

They never give up, no matter how many times I push them away or remain silent. They hold me up, even when I feel like I'm falling apart. And yet, no matter how much love they give me, I still feel lost—like I'm standing in the middle of a hurricane, with no way out. And I incredibly hate myself for that.

Just like right now, my twin brother Aariz went to buy my favorite ice-cream to make me feel better while I'm sitting on the balcony of my room, gazing at the cloudy sky, lost in my thoughts.

The cool breeze brushes past me, and for a moment, everything feels still. The clouds seem heavy, like they're holding back a storm, much like the weight I've been carrying inside. I wonder if the sky feels the same, like it's on the verge of breaking, yet somehow managing to hold it all in. It's strange how peaceful everything looks from the outside, even when the storm is just beneath the surface.

My thoughts got interrupted by the soft knock on the glass door of the balcony. I turned to see my father and straightened up. "Why are you standing there, Dad? Come inside," I said softly, though my voice came out raspy.

He smiled at me and walked over to sit beside me on the couch. Wrapping his arm around me, he pulled me into his warm embrace. "What was my princess thinking about so deeply, hm?" he asked softly, as if speaking to a fragile doll, his gaze filled with love. He's always been like this—caring, loving, and protective of both his children.