December 12th,
We fought battles.
We saw the fire fall.
But now… we rest. We laugh. We live.
And the light? It hasn't dimmed—it shines brighter in joy.
***
The semester wrapped up faster than I expected. Maybe it was the peace after the storm. Maybe it was the new rhythm we found.
Whatever it was, there was laughter in the air now. Real laughter. The kind that comes after tears and triumphs.
The revival marked a turning point. People still talked about it weeks later. Some said they felt something leave the school that night. Others said something entered.
Either way, something had shifted.
Tony and I stood in front of the chapel one last time before the holidays. Mayumi came skipping over, her hair bouncing and her face glowing.
"You won't believe how peaceful home has been," she grinned. "Even Nima joined me for online fellowship last week!"
Anita joined us a few minutes later, holding drinks and snacks.
"This break is our reward, okay? We're going to rest. Laugh. Eat. And sleep."
"And maybe cry a little when we miss each other," I added.
We laughed.
The next few days were magic.
We took a road trip to a serene resort outside the city—thanks to Sandra's dad who insisted on it. There were bonfires, movie nights, praise sessions under the stars, and late-night talks that healed us even more.
Tony sang worship songs in goofy voices. Mayumi attempted to cook a fish casserole(it was a disaster—but we ate it anyway). Anita told us childhood stories that had us rolling with laughter.
And me?
I just soaked it in. The beauty of the moment. The sweetness of peace.
On the last night before we all headed to our separate homes, we sat by the riverside.
No prayers. No war cries. Just hearts full of quiet gratitude.
"Sandra," Tony said, "I don't think we're the same people who arrived on campus months ago."
"No," I replied with a soft smile. "We're better. Stronger. And we've seen too much to ever go back."
***
The fire, the friendships, the faith—it's all part of something bigger.
And when the next semester begins… we'll be ready.
Because the light in us… was never meant to hide.
"To everything there is a season… and this was our season of fire and faith. The next? Only God knows. But we're walking into it with our heads high and hearts ablaze."
— Sandra