The temple stood on the hill like a quiet sentinel, untouched by noise, untouched by time.
Ryu stepped into the stone courtyard again, a single marigold garland in her hands.
It had been a week since she last came.
A week since her panic shattered her.
A week since Reyan stood in silence and refused to speak.
She didn't come to pray for him today.
She came to pray for herself.
Inside, the flame beside Goddess Parvati flickered gently, its light golden and soft against the carved stone walls.
Ryu folded her hands slowly, and her eyes closed.
"Give me strength.
To not carry shame that doesn't belong to me.
To let go of hands that never held me.
To rise — not to prove anything —
But because I choose to."
She didn't cry.
Not anymore.
There were no more tears left for people who turned their backs when she broke.
Only prayers.
Only peace.
She placed the garland around the goddess's statue, then stepped aside and sat quietly under the peepal tree outside — the same place where she had confronted him days ago.
The wind was light. The bells swayed, ringing softly, as if echoing her heartbeat.
And then —
Footsteps.
She didn't turn immediately.
She didn't need to.
Reyan was there again.
Just like before.
Same pillar.
Same silence.
Same Rey.
But something about his posture had changed.
Less guarded.
More... human.
Minutes passed.
Neither spoke.
Birds chirped in the distance.
A bell clanged softly from within.
Then Ryu finally said, without looking at him:
"I don't hate you, Reyan."
He looked up.
Still silent.
She continued, "I did. For a moment. That day."
A pause.
"But hate fades. The ache stays longer."
She turned her face toward him now, voice calm but steady.
"You still owe me an apology.
Not because I need it to heal.
But because you need to feel the weight of what you did."
He blinked slowly.
But again, no words came.
She stood, brushing the dust off her jeans.
"Don't come to the temple if you're only going to worship silence," she said softly.
And then she left — walking down the steps with the dignity of someone who had lost something, but found herself instead.
Reyan remained still.
He didn't pray.
He didn't run after her.
But for the first time...
He looked at the Goddess with the quiet eyes of someone who might one day learn how to say the words.
Forgiveness isn't weakness.
It's strength wrapped in grace.
And Ryu —
was learning to be fire,
without turning to ash.
📖 END OF CHAPTER 10
🕊 Ryu has chosen peace over anger.
🕊 Reyan has chosen silence over truth.
🕊 But the temple still waits — for both to rise.
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