I nodded.
After the meeting, we exchanged phone numbers.
A couple of days later, Brian called me. “Would you like to join us for basketball?” he asked.
“Sure,” I replied. “Let me know the time and place.”
The next time, Carter called and asked if I wanted to go bowling with the guys.
I accepted that invitation as well.
Spending time with them in this new environment helped me see a different side of both them and myself. I started attending meetings every week, and slowly, I began to enjoy them.
One day, after a meeting ended, I wandered down the hallway and stepped inside the church.
I sat there quietly in the silence.
The calmness that filled the space wrapped around me, and I found myself returning there each time the meetings ended.
I tried to keep myself busy by maintaining the routine I had started at the centre. I woke up early each morning and headed to the gym, followed by a healthy breakfast and a short meditation to clear my mind. I spent part of the day walking through the village, taking photographs, fixing things around the house, or volunteering at the community centre. Some afternoons, I went hiking along the nearby trails to clearmy head and reconnect with nature. When Lucas returned from school, I occasionally played with him or helped with his homework, and we often prepared dinner together. In the evenings, I took a walk, reflected on the day, and made sure I went to bed at a consistent time.
“Since you love taking pictures, why don’t you offer your services in the village?” Jiya asked one day when I stopped by the restaurant.
“That sounds like a great idea,” Jack said immediately.
“Why don’t we create a website for you and put up some of your work? Wedding season starts soon, and a lot of them would love a local photographer,” Jiya said, a sparkle lighting up her eyes.
“Hmm… that is an excellent idea,” I said.
“Come over tonight, and we’ll get the website done. Bring your pictures, and we can add them to your portfolio.” She confirmed a time with me.
That evening, she sat at the dining table working on the website, chatting as her fingers moved steadily across the keyboard. The glow of the laptop screen softened her features as she paused occasionally to adjust something or jot down a note before continuing, her thoughts spilling out faster than she could type them.
She looked radiant in her fortieth week of pregnancy. She had not gained much weight except around her belly, which curved gently beneath the loose fabric of her dress as she shifted in her chair. Watching her work so intently while caring for Lucas and preparing for a new baby, I found myself admiring her strength and resilience. Most people in her position would have slowed down, but not her.
My gaze drifted to the photo frame in the living room—the one I had given her on her birthday. She had loved it fromthe moment she saw it, unaware that I had taken many more photographs of her when she wasn’t looking.
Sitting beside her, the soft scent of her perfume reached me. A few loose strands of hair had slipped from her messy bun and framed her face, brushing against her cheeks whenever she leaned closer to the screen.
She’s so beautiful.
The thought came so suddenly that I shook my head, guilt washing over me for even thinking it.
“What’s wrong?” Jiya asked, her eyebrows drawing together. “Do you not like it?”
Caught off guard and unable to come up with a better explanation, I lied.“Sorry. I was just thinking about the conversation with my brother.”
“Your brother?” She jerked her head back in surprise. “You’ve never mentioned him before.”
I found myself opening up to her then, telling her about the phone call with Liam.
“I don’t blame him,” I said quietly, feeling the heaviness in my chest grow stronger. “I was the one who pushed him away. The things I said don’t exactly qualify for forgiveness just because I want to make amends now.”
When I looked up, I saw Jiya watching me carefully.
“Give it some time,” she said gently. “He’ll come around just like you.” She paused for a moment. “He’s your brother, after all.”
I smiled faintly.
