All Chapters of After Five Years: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Aisha's POV The supermarket that night was not too crowded, just filled with the occasional squeak of shopping carts and soft instrumental music from the ceiling speakers. I pushed my cart slowly, letting my eyes wander through the rows of fresh, colorful fruits. Apples, pears, oranges… everything looked tempting after a long, tiring day.I stopped in front of the vegetable aisle, staring at the fresh broccoli and bright carrots. The earthy aroma of freshly harvested vegetables reminded me of the little garden in my grandmother's backyard. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching.“Do you need help?” someone asked, lifting a package of tomatoes.I shook my head, feeling a bit awkward. “No, thank you. I’m just browsing.”He nodded and continued on his way. I resumed my search, but my mind kept drifting back to his smile.My fridge was completely empty, with only two eggs and a carton of almond milk that had expired two days ago. I hadn’t had time to shop all week, and when I opened the

Aisha's POVAs we exited the restaurant, the night breeze gently touched my face. I straightened my jacket collar, gazing at the somewhat empty streets. The streetlights twinkled, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The sound of our footsteps echoed between the quiet buildings, adding to the intimacy of the night.Julien walked beside me, smiling occasionally, and I could feel the warmth of his presence. We talked about everything, from the food we had just enjoyed to plans for the weekend. Every word that came from his mouth flowed so naturally, making me feel comfortable.“What did you think about the food there?” Julien asked, looking at me with enthusiasm.“It was amazing! I didn’t expect their pizza to be that good,” I replied, recalling the taste of melted cheese in my mouth.We continued walking, and as we passed a small park, I paused for a moment. There was something delightful about the night—stars twinkling in the sky as i

Aisha's POV A few minutes later, I returned with two cups of warm tea. I handed one to him, then sat down on the other end of the couch, keeping a good distance, but not too unfamiliar. “Thank you,” he said, taking the cup. “You really came at the right time,” I finally said, staring at the clear liquid in my cup. “I was… a little panicked.” Julien nodded, his face showing understanding. “I can imagine. It must not have been easy for you.” I took a deep breath, trying to calm the lingering anxiety. “I don’t want to rehash the past, but sometimes it’s hard to completely shut it out.” He looked at me gently. “You took a big step by talking to him directly. It wasn’t easy.” “Yes, but it still feels like something is hanging over my head,” I said, taking a sip of my tea. “I wish I could let it all go completely.” Julien looked at me, his face serious but gentle. “Aisha, you’re not alone. I know this ma

Aisha's POV We sat in silence for a moment, letting the quiet fill the space between us. But it wasn’t an awkward silence; it felt comfortable, like two people who didn’t need to talk constantly to feel understood.I felt a rare sense of peace. In this moment, I knew that Julien and I were on the same wavelength. There was a mutual respect, and without words, we could sense what the other was experiencing.The aroma of chamomile still lingered in the air, adding to the peaceful atmosphere of the night. My thoughts wandered, reflecting on the journey I had taken. Though full of wounds, I knew that every experience had shaped who I was now.I glanced at Julien, who was still slowly sipping his tea. There was a calmness in his movements, something that made me feel safer than I had felt in a long time. Unconsciously, I sighed softly, realizing how tired I was of carrying everything alone for so long.That night felt different. When I looke

Aisha's POV That morning, I woke up earlier than usual. The sky outside the window was still grey, indicating that the sun had not fully risen. I stared at the ceiling of my apartment, feeling the heavy emotions still hanging in my chest.Although I slept more peacefully last night, the shadows of the past still lingered in my mind. I tried to grasp the new spirit I found with Julien, but sometimes, fear and doubt crept back in.I sat on the edge of the bed, soaking in the morning silence. The gentle sound of the wind rustling outside reminded me that a new day had arrived. Maybe this was an opportunity to start over—to take small steps toward the happiness I desired.The small box containing the ultrasound photo still lay on the table. I averted my gaze, not wanting my emotions to take over again. But the reality was, my thoughts kept drifting back there, to the past, to the wounds that I should have buried deep within.Every