The Sin Beneath my Skin

Chapter Five: Unexpected Reunion

Aunt Lydia glanced at her again, unaware of the storm behind Mira’s calm face.

“Mira, you can go inside and rest. I’ll head to the hospital to see your cousin,” she said, adjusting the wrapper around her chest.

Mira nodded weakly without turning around. “Okay, Aunty.”

She didn’t trust her voice for more than that.

When the door finally closed behind her aunt, Mira exhaled slowly, a trembling breath that sounded too heavy for someone her age. The silence in the room pressed down on her like a weight.

Mira walked into her room and quietly shut the door behind her. She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing. The world felt strange, too still, too quiet. Her hands trembled slightly as she pressed them together, fighting the tightness rising in her chest.

A sob escaped before she could stop it.

She tried to swallow the sound, pressing a hand to her mouth, but the tears kept coming, hot and uncontrollable.

She buried her face in her palms.

She had promised herself she’d never give her body to anyone she didn’t love, never trade herself for anything. But love didn’t buy hospital drugs, and desperation didn’t ask for permission.

Her throat burned as she whispered into the stillness, “I did it to save a life. That’s all.”

But no matter how many times she repeated it, it didn’t sound true.

A faint knock startled her.

At first, she thought she imagined it; the sound felt too out of place in that heavy silence. But then it came again, soft but firm, followed by a pause, then another knock.

Her heart skipped. Aunt Lydia couldn’t be back already, could she? She wiped her face quickly, smearing away the wetness with trembling fingers, and stood up. Her eyes were red, and her throat dry.

“Who is it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

No answer.

She hesitated, brushing her hair back before walking toward the door. She opened it slowly, unsure of who it could be.

“Hi…” the woman at the door said, a small smile forming on her lips. “You still recognize me?”

Mira blinked, confused for a moment, then her eyes widened.

“Clara?” she breathed out, her voice almost a whisper.

Clara grinned and nodded. “Yeah, it’s me. I thought I’d stop by; it’s been forever.”

Before Mira could respond, Clara stepped forward and hugged her. The sudden warmth caught Mira off guard. She froze for a heartbeat before slowly relaxing.

“I can’t believe this,” Clara said, stepping back to look at her.

While still holding Mira’s arms, she smiled warmly.

“I heard you’re still staying with your aunt,” she said, a light laugh escaping her lips. “That’s why I came; I just had to see you. Oh my God, look at you, Mira… you haven’t changed one bit.”

She laughed again, softly this time, shaking her head in disbelief.

“It’s been so long. I almost didn’t believe it when someone told me you were still around.”

Mira tried to smile, but it came out weak. “Yeah… I'm still here.”

Clara’s eyes scanned her face, noticing the puffiness around her eyes and the pale lips. “You look… tired,” she said carefully. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Mira lied automatically, looking away. “Just… a long night.”

Clara didn’t press. She’d always been the kind of friend who read between the silences. “Come on,” she said gently, “let’s sit inside for a bit.”

Mira turned quietly, leading her inside. Clara followed, setting her bag down as they both sat on the edge of the bed. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

“It’s been what—five years?” Clara finally said, breaking the silence. “You just disappeared after graduation, and I lost your number.”

Mira forced a small smile. “It’s fine. I guess we both got carried away with life.”

“Hmm… yeah. Life does that sometimes,” she said softly, her eyes scanning Mira’s face. “You look… different, though.

She studied Mira’s face for a moment: the tired eyes, the faint hollowness around her cheeks. The girl who once lit up every room now looked like she hadn’t seen sunlight in months.

“You know,” Clara said gently, “you don’t have to pretend with me. You look like you’ve been through a lot.”

Mira looked away. “Clara, please… not now.”

Clara nodded, understanding. “Okay. No questions.”

She leaned back slightly, exhaling. “I just wanted to see you. I missed you.”

Mira’s voice softened. “I missed you too.”

That made Clara smile. “You still sound the same,” she teased, her laugh light and familiar.

Mira chuckled quietly, the sound shaky but real, like something she hadn’t done in a long time.

Clara’s gaze drifted to the floor before she spoke again. “So… what are you doing now? Work, I mean.”

Mira hesitated. “I’m working at a hotel.”

Clara’s brows lifted. “A hotel? Like, front desk or something?”

Mira shook her head slightly. “No, I work in the restaurant section… mostly night shifts.”

Clara nodded slowly, though her eyes softened with concern. “That must be exhausting.”

Mira smiled faintly. “It’s just a job.”

Clara looked at her again, and for the first time, she noticed the exhaustion that sat on Mira’s shoulders like a second skin, the kind that didn’t come from work alone.

“Mira,” she said softly, “you deserve more than that. You were one of the smartest people I knew back in school. You could’ve done anything.”

Mira gave a dry laugh. “Yeah, well… life doesn’t always go the way we planned.”

Clara reached over and squeezed her hand. “Maybe not. But it can still get better.”

For a moment, Mira didn’t respond. She just stared at their joined hands, something fragile flickering in her chest.

Clara smiled again, trying to lighten the air. “I’m staying at my aunt’s place for now. Maybe we could hang out sometime, just talk. No pressure.”

Mira hesitated, then nodded. “Sure.”

“Good,” Clara said, standing up and brushing off her jeans. “I’ll check on you tomorrow.”

Mira rose with her, walking her to the door. “Thanks for coming,” she said quietly.

Clara paused before stepping out. “Mira… whatever you’re going through, don’t carry it alone, okay?”

Mira forced a small smile. “No problem,” she said softly. “I’ll take care of myself.”