DARED HOME

who looked like a friend-bu

ts were eccentric, almost psychotic, drawn together

Outside the building, he noticed a fair, beautiful young

the Lord be upon you,

head bowed as tears st

r and began wi

n't ease the pain. But nature often has its way-it chooses the hard truths over soothing lies. I do

bad day, but perhaps angels come to us in strange forms. Strangers, too, deserve kindness, and mayb

ars and softly s

e this, it usually means the opposite. I understand how women oft

ered, "My sister is in th

ee her?"

sister lay asleep, a drip attached to he

office, they wer

," said the doctor. "D

e, crying. I tried to console her and

n last weekend with typhoid fever. She's r

young lady. "Wh

" she

u live

ound the

ll recover. Just take care of your

That encounter

numbers. A simple act of kindness grew into heartfelt conversations. Affection blossomed

on them. The bond deepened. Distance shrank

ith more confidence, laughed louder. New clothes, new scents, matching jewellery, antic gestures. They wro

the turn

Adams propo

ne else-my elder brother's friend. He's like family. I love him. I love y

stunned.

poems, the songs we shared? The dreams we plan

you," she said quietly,

did," he

ell s

holding his pain with dignity. H

ng with grace and intent. Her fragrance filled the room. She peered through the windo

smiling brightly. He w

emb

, and deep emotions. Mina confesse

They kissed, emotions flaring. Urges clashed with rest

pered: "No one

louder: "Wait fo

ey decided to save their union for

d felt like dreams ti

often about what could have been, and what now was. The tension of their past dis

uiet park, Mina hesitated. "There's something I've not

d at her. "

ing across a pond. "The man I said I lov

linch, but his

hey don't trust love that came from a hospital gate. They believe his

ams asked, hi

el when I'm with you. But I fear disappointing everyone e

n. It's not a reward for kindness. I won't fight for a heart that isn't fully

sibly shaken b

ek p

heard

colors of dusk, Mina showed up at his doo

Not because I owe you, but because I love you. And I want to

let's write our story. Caref

souls found peace-not in perfection, but in