Sofiya's point of view
I still remember the night that all started "sigh" with sigh her memory went back into the past two years ago—
---
**Flashback: The Night They Came Home**
After the police had escorted them back home, the front door swung open with a loud bang. Shirah and their mother, Sofiya, rushed out, their faces pale with worry.
"What happened?!" Sofiya cried, her voice breaking as she took in the sight of Aashwit—bloodied, bruised, and barely able to stand. Shea was beside him, holding him up, her face pale with tears streaking her cheeks.
Sofiya's heart nearly stopped. She ran toward them, her eyes darting over Aashwit's injuries. "Oh my God, Aashwit! Shea! What happened to both of you?!"
Shirah, frozen in the doorway, couldn't believe what he was seeing. He had never seen Aashwit like this, and for a moment, the room felt too small, the air too thick with panic.
"We—" Shea's voice cracked, her lips trembling as she tried to explain. "We were attacked by some boys from school... They tried to hurt me, and Aashwit—he saved me."
Hearing those words, Sofiya's eyes widened, tears pooling in them. She turned to Aashwit, her hands shaking as she gently touched his face. "You... you did this for her?"
Aashwit nodded weakly, trying to smile through the pain. "I couldn't just leave her, Aunt Sofiya. I had to protect her."
Sofiya's heart clenched, both in fear and gratitude. "Oh, Aashwit," she whispered, her voice trembling. She quickly turned to Shirah. "Shirah, get some water, towels—anything! We need to clean him up."
Shirah snapped out of his shock and rushed inside to grab what was needed. Sofiya led Aashwit and Shea into the living room, helping them sit down on the couch. The panic in the air was thick, but Sofiya kept her composure as she knelt beside Aashwit, carefully wiping the blood from his forehead.
"You're lucky... so lucky..." she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "What if you hadn't come in time?"
Shea, still trembling, couldn't take her eyes off Aashwit. "It's all my fault," she said in a quiet, broken voice. "He got hurt because of me..."
Aashwit reached out, gently touching Shea's arm. "It's not your fault, Shea. I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
The sincerity in his voice sent a wave of emotion through Shea. Her heart ached with the weight of everything that had happened. She didn't know how to respond, so she just sat there, quietly crying as Sofiya tended to Aashwit's wounds.
By the time the panic had subsided and everyone was somewhat calm, Sofiya sat back, taking a deep breath. "You're staying here tonight," she said firmly to Aashwit. "No arguments. I'll prepare a bed for you in the guest room."
Aashwit tried to protest, but the exhaustion finally caught up with him. He nodded, too tired to fight back.
As Sofiya left to get the guest room ready, Shea sat beside Aashwit, her hand still gripping his. For the first time in her life, she realized just how much he meant to her. And it scared her.
---
**Two Years Later: Shea's Confession**
Two years had passed since that fateful night. The memory of Aashwit coming to her rescue never left Shea. It lingered in her heart, shaping her thoughts and emotions in ways she hadn't fully understood until now.
Sitting in the kitchen with her mother, Shea could feel the weight of the secret she had been carrying for so long pressing down on her chest. Today, she couldn't hold it in any longer.
Shea stared into her cup of tea, her hands trembling slightly. "Mom..." she began, her voice quiet.
Sofiya, busy preparing dinner, didn't sense the gravity of Shea's tone at first. "Yes, darling? What is it?"
Shea hesitated, her heart racing. She had replayed this conversation in her mind a hundred times, but now that the moment was here, the words were hard to form.
"I... I need to tell you something," Shea said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sofiya finally paused, turning to face her daughter. The look on Shea's face was enough to make her mother's heart skip a beat. "What is it, Shea? You look troubled."
Taking a deep breath, Shea forced herself to speak the words that had been buried for too long. "I'm... in love with Aashwit."
The silence that followed was deafening. Sofiya blinked, stunned by the confession. "Aashwit?" she repeated, as if trying to make sure she had heard correctly.
Shea nodded, her throat tightening. "Yes... I've loved him since that night. The night he saved me."
Tears welled up in Shea's eyes as she finally released the feelings she had kept hidden for so long. "He risked everything for me, Mom. He got hurt protecting me. And after that, I... I just couldn't see him the same way anymore."
Sofiya's eyes softened, and she sat down beside her daughter. She reached out, gently touching Shea's hand. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I was scared," Shea admitted, her voice trembling. "I didn't know if you'd approve... if anyone would understand. I didn't even know if Aashwit felt the same way."
Sofiya was silent for a moment, her mind racing. She had always suspected there was a deep bond between Aashwit and Shea, but hearing her daughter confess her love with such raw emotion left her speechless.
Finally, Sofiya spoke, her voice gentle but firm. "Shea, if you love Aashwit, then that's all that matters. I've watched the way he cares about you, the way he's always been there for you. I believe he loves you too, even if he hasn't said it yet."
Shea looked up at her mother, her eyes wide with hope. "You really think so?"
Sofiya smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter's face. "Yes, sweetheart. And if you want to be with him, then I'll support you. You don't have to hide your feelings anymore."
Relief washed over Shea like a wave. She had been so afraid of rejection, so afraid of what her mother might say. But now, hearing those words, she felt a weight lift from her chest.
"But," Sofiya added, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint, "if you want to marry him, you'll have to let me help."
Shea's heart skipped a beat. "Help... how?"
Sofiya leaned in with a conspiratorial smile. "Well, it's time we started making some plans. If you want Aashwit to be yours, we'll need to arrange things carefully. I'll talk to him, maybe hint at the idea... see how he feels."
Shea's face flushed with a mix of excitement and nerves. "Mom... do you really think it could work?"
Sofiya chuckled. "Oh, darling, if there's one thing I know, it's that love works in mysterious ways. And I have a feeling Aashwit is already halfway in love with you."
Shea's heart soared with hope, and for the first time in two years, she allowed herself to dream of a future with Aashwit by her side. A future where she didn't have to hide her feelings anymore.
Sofiya stood up, smoothing her apron as she gave her daughter a reassuring smile. "Leave it to me, Shea. We'll figure this out. And who knows? Maybe sooner than you think, you'll be planning your wedding."
Shea's cheeks burned with embarrassment, but deep down, a spark of joy flickered in her heart. Her mother was right—love did work in mysterious ways. And with her mother's help, maybe, just maybe, Aashwit would soon be hers.
---
Scene: The Park Bench
Shea sat on the park bench, her eyes downcast as she absentmindedly twirled a leaf between her fingers. The evening air was cool, and the sky was tinged with shades of pink and orange. It was beautiful, but Shea couldn't appreciate it. Her mind was too full, her heart too heavy.
She didn't hear Sofiya approach until her mother gently sat down beside her. There was a long moment of silence before Sofiya spoke, her voice soft and full of concern.
"I was looking for you," Sofiya said quietly. "You've been gone for a while."
Shea's lips trembled, but she didn't look up. "I just needed some time to think."
Sofiya sighed softly, her heart aching for her daughter. She could sense the turmoil in Shea, the way her emotions were swirling just beneath the surface, threatening to break free. Gently, she reached out and placed her hand over Shea's.
"It's okay, sweetheart," Sofiya reassured her, her voice full of warmth. "Whatever's going on in your heart, we'll figure it out together. You're not alone."
Shea finally looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. "But what if everything falls apart, Mom? What if... What if Aashwit doesn't feel the same way? What if I lose him?"
Sofiya's heart broke a little at the sight of her daughter's vulnerability. She scooted closer, wrapping her arm around Shea's shoulders, pulling her into a comforting embrace.
"Oh, Shea," she whispered, her voice tender. "You won't lose him. No matter what happens, Aashwit is someone who will always care for you. I've seen the way he looks at you, how he's always there for you, even when you don't ask."
Shea shook her head, trying to hold back the tears. "But what if it's not enough? What if I'm not enough?"
Sofiya pulled back slightly, cupping Shea's face in her hands. "Don't say that. You are more than enough, my love. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their life, and I know Aashwit is smart enough to realize that. You're strong, kind, and full of love, even when you try to hide it behind that tough exterior."
Shea's tears finally spilled over, and she let out a shaky breath. "I don't know what to do, Mom. I'm scared."
Sofiya pressed a kiss to her daughter's forehead, her own eyes misting over. "I know you're scared. Love can be terrifying. But it's also the most beautiful thing in the world when it's right. And I believe with all my heart that Aashwit is the right person for you."
Shea sniffled, wiping at her tears. "But what if it's too late? What if he doesn't feel the same way and he also loves a other girl what's her name mom?"
"Mohini that's her name, but don't worry "
Sofiya smiled softly, her eyes filled with warmth and she spoked again. "That's where we come in. You're not doing this alone, Shea. Shirah and I—we're going to help you."
Shea blinked, confused. "Shirah?"
Sofiya nodded, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Yes, your brother. He's smart, always has a way of figuring things out. We'll talk to him, see what he thinks. And together, we'll come up with a plan. Everything is going to be fine, sweetheart."
For the first time in what felt like forever, Shea felt a glimmer of hope. "You really think Shirah can help?"
Sofiya grinned. "Oh, I'm sure of it. He's always one step ahead of us, isn't he?"
Shea managed a small laugh, the weight on her chest lifting just a little. "Yeah... he is."
Sofiya gave her daughter one last squeeze before standing up. "Come on. Let's go home. I'll talk to Shirah, and we'll figure this out together. You'll see."