Crossing the Darkness Towards Happiness

CHAPTER 4

The golden rays of the morning sun gently caressed Rayno's face, coaxing her to wake up from the depths of her sleep. 

As her heavy eyelids opened, her gaze met with a gentle light that filled the room. For a moment, Rayno felt a glimmer of warmth seep into her soul.

Confusion clouded Rayno's mind as she slowly sat down, rubbing her eyes to remove the remnants of sleep. 

The surroundings gradually became focused, revealing a room that felt familiar and distant.

It took him a while to realize it, it was his own room, a space that had become a refuge of silence and torment for him. 

Rayno's heart skipped a beat as memories of the previous night flooded her consciousness—bridge, her family, a fragile glimmer of hope. Is that all a dream? Or did something change in the depths of his despair?

Taking a deep breath, Rayno rethought the events of the previous night, lowering her foot to the edge of the bed.

Rayno set her foot firmly on the floor while constantly daydreaming. I did not realize that the door to his room was open.

The sound of Rayno's room door suddenly opening, showing Jace walking into Rayno's room. 

As Jace turned the doorknob and entered inside, he was greeted by the sight that pierced his heart.

Rayno sat on the edge of her bed, her eyes empty and missing, surrounded by the remnants of her pain.

The incision scar was scratched in her delicate hand, proof of the torture Rayno had inflicted on herself.

With Jace slowly approaching his son, Jace sat beside Rayno who was still daydreaming completely unaware that Jace was already sitting beside the bed. 

Gently and lovingly Jace stroked Rayno's hair, making the dreamy Rayno gasp in shock from being suddenly touched.

Rayno then looked up and looked at his father who just kept silent and still stroking his hair.

With a gentle smile, Jace broke the silence, his voice mixed with sadness tinged with hope.

"Good morning Father's son, is this father's son sleeping well?"

Jace asked with a smile to Rayno, Jace's hand still stroking Rayno's hair.

Rayno's lips opened, her voice almost whispered. "I'm. I'm sleeping good, Dad."

His words were tinged with a hint of shock, as if sleep had become an elusive visitor in his life.

Jace's hand continued his calming movements, a gesture of comfort and support.

"I'm glad to hear it" he replied gently. "You deserve moments of peace, Rayno."

Silence remained between them. Jace knew that no word could erase the pain that was scratched inside Rayno.

But Jace hopes his unwavering presence will deliver a message louder than pronounced affirmation.

"Rayno," Jace's voice trembled slightly, emotions suffocating his words

"Dad wants you to know that Father is here for you, not only Father but Mother and your brothers are there for you. No matter how dark the road is, we will pass it together. Your pain is not yours, to bear it all alone."

Rayno's gaze flickered for a moment, a glimmer of recognition dancing in her eyes. It was as if a piece of the boy he had seen through the cracks of his soul was shattered.

Jace continued on again, with a tone of voice filled with gentleness and firmness that showed his determination. 

"We love you so much, and we won't let you face this darkness alone. We will fight with you, every step of the way, Father and others will always help you"

"I. I don't know if I can handle this, Dad." Rayno's voice trembled with despair.

"Rayno, listen to me" Jace's voice grew louder, mixed with firm conviction.

"Your mother's love for you is limitless, and it is still within us. He does not want you to bear this burden alone, nor does he want you to suffer in silence. We're a family, and we're gonna face this together."

A light of hope appeared in Rayno's eyes, mixed with the pain that had eaten her for so long. His voice shuddered as he whispered

"But how can I get forgiveness, Dad? How can I learn to live and forgive myself for what I've done?"

"Why should my mom go? why don't I just go so Dad and sister won't be sad and lose Mama."

Jace's grip stiffened slightly, his voice filled with sorrow with unwavering affection.

"Forgiveness begins with compassion. It starts with the understanding that none of us are perfect, that we all make mistakes"

"Your mother loves you so much, and she wants you to find a way to forgive yourself, to embrace life once again."

Jace then let out a heavy sigh, and continued speaking.

"I never wanted to lose you both but this is Ray's destiny, the fate of losing your mother. We can't interfere with the fate that my son has gone through" 

Tears streamed down Rayno's face as she hugged her father and cried on her father's boat, her weakness finding solace.

At that moment, she felt the warmth of her Father's love permeate her wounded heart, igniting a glimmer of hope that she thought had been extinguished.

Jace silently let his son cry to let out everything he had been craving from the past, Jace hugged Rayno tightly while continuing to whisper sedative words.

A few moments later Rayno became calmer, Rayno's head leaned on the shoulder of his beloved father. 

There was a pause of silence that seemed to stretch forever. And then, with a barely audible voice, Rayno whispered words that echoed throughout the room, bringing a glimmer of hope to Jace.

"Help me, Dad. Help me find my way back to the light to keep living."

Hearing Rayno's words makes spark fire in Jace. Then Jace spoke in a tone full of confidence and determination to lead his son back to what he used to be.

"Dad won't disappoint you. I will do everything in my power to bring you back to the light. Together, we will rewrite our story along with others, a story of resilience, redemption, and love that transcends even the darkest of nights."  

Jace hugged Rayno tightly, then Jace let go of the hug and kissed her son's forehead gently and lovingly.

Jace refuses to let her son's life be swallowed by the darkness that threatens to engulf him. 

With the rest of Mahavir's family by his side, Jace and the others will do anything to bring Rayno back from adversity to remind her that she is loved by many.

to show Rayno that it was not his fault and that forgiveness and healing were possible.

The journey ahead may be daunting, filled with uncertainty and many obstacles to overcome, but Jace knows he cannot falter. 

For the sake of his son, for the sake of the promise Jace made to his late wife, he would struggle against a wave of despair, albeit inch by inch which was extremely painful.

Jace will make sure Rayno finds happiness in the arms of life once again.