Chapter 73

Ayleen sat in the lecture hall, her eyes heavy with fatigue as she diligently noted down the professor’s words. The once vibrant energy she carried had dulled over the years, replaced by a weariness that was now a constant companion. The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. She gathered her books and slowly walked out of the university, her steps echoing the weight she felt inside.

Outside, the sky was overcast, and tiny droplets of rain began to fall. Ayleen paused, looking up at the sky, a sad smile tugging at her lips.

Memories of her childhood in Pakistan flooded back—times when she would dance freely in the rain and play with her sisters. She draped her shawl tightly around her shoulders and continued walking, her mind lost in the past.

As she walked, the seasons seemed to change around her in the background. The rain gave way to the warmth of summer, which soon faded into the golden hues of autumn. The first snowfall of winter brought a harsh chill, and