Chapter 9 — Neel's Guilt Letter (Setup)
Neel sat at his desk, pen hovering over the paper.
"How do I even start?" he muttered to himself.
The room was quiet except for the scratch of the pen as he began to write.
> Arin,
I don't know if you'll ever read this. I don't even know if I deserve to send it.
I was jealous of you. I watched you suffer while I stayed silent. I… I let you take all the blame, all the pain, and I did nothing.
I'm sorry. I always thought that staying quiet would protect you. I was wrong. I only protected myself.
He paused, staring at the words. Each letter felt heavier than the last.
> I don't expect forgiveness. I only hope… maybe… you'll let me stand near your life again. Even from a distance.
Neel's hand shook as he folded the paper.
"What am I doing?" he whispered, voice breaking.
He placed the letter in an envelope, sealed it, and stared at it.
It was a bridge. A small, fragile bridge over years of silence and guilt.
But he wasn't ready to cross it yet.
Not until he knew Arin could hear him without hate.