The Weight of Shadow – Part 11
Elara sat quietly that night in her room replaying every word Mira said again and again inside her head. "the Mira you are talking of is dead a lot before and now this is new Mira." These words didn't leave her mind even when she tried hard to distract herself. She thought at first that she should be happy that Mira spoke up, that Mira was bold now, that Mira had healed a little, but somewhere in her heart there was an emptiness. She missed her old sister, the one who laughed freely without fear, the one who played silly games with her, the one who never carried so much pain behind her eyes.
Elara turned to the window and looked outside at the dark sky. It felt heavy just like her heart. She whispered softly, "maybe she is right, maybe old Mira is really gone." But a small voice inside her also said, "but people change, and maybe this new Mira will also be okay." Elara hugged her pillow tightly that night, and slowly sleep came but not fully peaceful.
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The next morning in school, Elara walked into the classroom, her eyes searching Mira instantly. She saw Mira sitting with her usual strong face, her shoulders straight, her eyes no longer down but forward. There was something in Mira's aura that had changed. She was not silent anymore. She was not weak anymore.
Elara sat near her but didn't say anything first. She kept noticing Mira talking with another classmate, her tone confident, not harsh but firm. Elara felt a mix of pride and sadness. Pride because Mira was standing strong, sadness because the playful Mira she knew was still missing.
During class, Elara couldn't focus on the teacher's words. She kept thinking about how life had changed so much. Just some days back Mira wouldn't even look up in class, and now she was replying with confidence. Just some days back Elara thought their bond was lost, but now it was healing slowly. Healing, but in a new way.
At lunchtime, Elara and Mira sat together again. It was not the same comfort as before, but it was better than nothing. Elara decided to speak, because silence was hurting her. She said softly, "Mira, yesterday when you spoke to that bully, I felt really proud. I felt my sister was back, even if only for a moment." Mira looked at her, her expression plain, and replied, "Elara, I am not who I was before. That Mira is gone. What you see now is someone who is trying not to break again."
Elara's heart sank a little at those words, but she also respected them. She said, "even if you are not the same, you are still my sister. I don't care if you are old Mira or new Mira. I just want you beside me." For a moment Mira's eyes softened, and she gave a very small smile, almost invisible, but Elara noticed it. That smile gave her a little hope.
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The day went by, and in the corridor something unexpected happened. A group of students were whispering and giggling while looking at Mira. They had once bullied her before. Elara's blood boiled. She was about to shout at them, but before she could, Mira turned her head straight at them and said loudly, "If you have something to say, say it here in front, not behind backs like cowards." The corridor fell silent. The students were shocked at her boldness. They walked away embarrassed.
Elara stood there frozen for a moment and then smiled so wide she almost cried. She had never seen Mira like that before. It was not the old Mira. It was a stronger Mira. Maybe even stronger than Elara herself.
Later in class, Elara leaned towards her and whispered, "You scared them so much." Mira replied without looking at her, "Because I am tired of being scared."
Those words hit Elara deep. She realised how much Mira had gone through. Fear, humiliation, silence. And now Mira was learning to push all of that away, even if it meant becoming someone new.
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After school, both sisters walked home together. At first there was silence, only footsteps on the road. Then Elara said, "You know, I sometimes miss the Mira who laughed with me without reason." Mira looked at her, eyes serious, and answered, "And I sometimes miss the Elara who didn't try to fix me all the time." Elara stopped walking for a second, shocked. But then Mira added quietly, "Elara, I know you love me. But let me fight too. I need to fight my own battles."
Elara didn't reply for a long time. She just walked silently, her mind heavy but also proud. She realised her sister was not a fragile shadow anymore. She was becoming a storm, powerful and fearless.
That night Elara sat again by her window. She thought about everything Mira said. Maybe love was not always about fixing someone. Maybe love was about standing beside them while they fixed themselves. Elara promised herself silently, "I will not leave her side. No matter old or new, I will be with her."
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The next week in school was different. Mira was slowly opening up. She started talking to more classmates. She still carried her strong aura, but she laughed sometimes too. The laugh was not like before, not full of innocence, but still it was a laugh. Elara cherished every single one of those moments.
One afternoon in the canteen, a girl came to Mira and said rudely, "Oh look, the silent one has started talking. Trying to act bold now?" Mira's face didn't change. She said calmly, "Not acting. Becoming. And you better not try me." The girl turned red and walked away. Elara almost clapped at that moment. She whispered, "Mira, I am so proud." Mira just shrugged but Elara could see the little satisfaction in her sister's eyes.
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But healing was not always straight. One day Mira suddenly became quiet again. She didn't talk in class. She avoided Elara's eyes. Elara got worried. She asked softly, "Mira, what happened?" Mira shook her head and said nothing. Later Elara found her sitting alone in the library, staring at a book but not reading. Elara sat beside her and said, "It's okay to fall sometimes. You don't always have to be strong."
Mira's eyes filled with tears. She whispered, "Elara, I feel like no matter how much I fight, the pain never leaves." Elara hugged her tightly, just like Mira once hugged her when she cried. She said, "Then don't fight alone. Let me share it with you." For the first time, Mira didn't push her away. She cried quietly on Elara's shoulder.
That evening while walking back, Mira said softly, "Elara, maybe I am not fully new Mira or old Mira. Maybe I am just finding myself." Elara smiled and replied, "That's enough for me."
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The days continued like that. Small steps, small healing. Some days strong, some days weak. But one thing remained constant — Elara and Mira together, learning to accept each other, learning to stand by each other.
And for Elara, this was enough hope to keep moving forward.
To be continued…
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Author Note
Hey 👋 readers, welcome to a new chapter of Weight of Shadow. This one was very special for me because it shows that healing is not always straight, it is not always about becoming who you were before. Sometimes it is about becoming someone new and still learning to love that version of yourself. Mira showed us that strength is not about never falling but about standing up again, and Elara showed us that love is not always fixing but standing beside.
I hope you felt the same emotions I did while writing this. Thank you for reading till the end. Next chapter will bring some more turns and surprises, so stay tuned 🌙✨