FINDING HER OWN VOICE
685 Words
The morning sun slipped gently through Cecilia’s window, casting soft light across her face. For the first time in days, she woke up without reaching for her phone. No checking messages. No hoping for a name to appear on her screen.
Just silence.
And strangely… peace.
She sat up slowly, taking in the quietness of her room. It felt unfamiliar, yet comforting. For so long, her world had revolved around Wilton and Rajab their words, their presence, their love. But now, for the first time, she was sitting in a space that belonged only to her.
“Maybe this is what I needed,” she whispered.
Not love. Not attention.
But herself.
***
Later that day, Cecilia found herself walking along the beach, the ocean waves rolling in and out like a steady heartbeat. The breeze carried away the heaviness she had been holding onto for so long.
Her best friend, Neema, walked beside her, glancing at her every now and then.
“You’re different,” Neema finally said.
Cecilia smiled faintly. “Different good or different bad?”
Neema nudged her playfully. “Different strong.”
Cecilia looked out at the horizon. “I think I was losing myself, Neema. I was so focused on being loved that I forgot how to just… be.”
Neema nodded. “That happens. But not everyone realizes it like you did.”
There was a pause before Neema spoke again, more carefully this time.
“So… what about Wilton and Rajab?”
Cecilia exhaled slowly. “I haven’t talked to either of them since… everything.”
“And?”
“And I’m not rushing to,” she said firmly. “For once, I don’t want to make a decision based on fear fear of losing one of them. I want to choose from a place of clarity.”
Neema smiled, clearly proud. “That’s growth, Cecy.”
***
That evening, as Cecilia sat alone with her thoughts, her phone buzzed again.
This time, she didn’t rush.
She looked at the screen.
Rajab.
Her heart didn’t race the way it used to. Instead, she took a deep breath before answering.
“Hello, Rajab.”
“Cecilia… I’ve been thinking about you,” his voice came through, warm but uncertain. “Are you okay?”
She smiled softly, even though he couldn’t see it. “I am. Actually… I’m better than okay.”
There was a brief silence on the other end. “That’s good. I was worried.”
“I know,” she said gently. “But I needed this time. To clear my head. To understand myself.”
“And did you?” he asked.
Cecilia paused, choosing her words carefully. “I’m starting to.”
Rajab hesitated. “Does that mean you’ve made a decision?”
She closed her eyes briefly, then shook her head, even though he couldn’t see her.
“No,” she said honestly. “And I’m not going to rush it either.”
Another silence.
“I respect that,” Rajab finally said. “I just… I hope I still have a chance.”
Cecilia’s heart softened, but she stayed grounded. “Right now, Rajab, this isn’t about chances. It’s about me finding where I truly stand.”
Her words were calm, but firm.
And for the first time, she meant them.
***
Later that night, Cecilia stood in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection. She looked the same… but she felt different.
Stronger.
Wiser.
Whole.
“I don’t need to be chosen,” she said quietly to herself. “I need to choose me first.”
And in that moment, something inside her settled.
The confusion was still there. The feelings hadn’t disappeared.
But they no longer controlled her.
For the first time in her life, Cecilia wasn’t just a girl in love.
She was a woman learning her worth.
And whatever came next whether it was Wilton, Rajab, or neither of them she knew one thing for sure:
This time, her choice would not come from desperation.
It would come from strength.
And that made all the difference.
- Writer
