The village was alive with excitement as the annual Moonlit Festival approached. This was a celebration like no other, where the entire village gathered to honor the moon's guidance and the blessings it bestowed upon them. The festival was a beacon of light, hope, and unity, especially in these times when the shadows of the past seemed to linger in every corner of my life.
Mama Sage had insisted that I participate, despite my growing belly and the fatigue that had become my constant companion. At seven months pregnant, my body was heavier, slower, and the baby inside me was more active than ever, kicking and turning as if eager to greet the world. Still, there was something about the festival that pulled at me, a sense of belonging I hadn't felt in months.