Page 50 of A Second Dawn

Claudette gets that far-away look. She sits down, leaning against a tree. I keep filling the buckets we brought, letting my hand run through the cold water.

“When I first saw him, it was as if the room disappeared and there was only him in the world. The attraction was so intense, it was almost frightening. He seemed so familiar. It was like coming home for the first time.”

My entire body freezes, the movement of my hand in the water stilling.

That’s what it’s been like for me. It’s how I felt with both Tiero and Aiden when we first met.

An involuntary shiver runs through me. This is surreal.

“I fell hard and fast for Jasper. And it was the same for him. At first, everything was fantastic, and we calmed each other down to a degree. Still, we fought with our parents, rebelling against all the boundaries they put in place. In hindsight, it was for our benefit, but we didn’t see it that way. So Jasper and I ran away together.”

Claudette sighs, letting out a long breath. “It wasn’t good. We were both deeply insecure, and having little money exacerbated those feelings. We fought constantly, blaming the other for our misery. Splitting up seemed like the best solution. So that’s what we did, just to get back together a day or two later. It was a continuous push and pull. We brought out the worst in each other.

“After three months of living on the streets, I was so malnourished and miserable, I returned home. Jasper refused to go back to his old life. We had a massive fight, and he walked off. It was the last time I saw him.”

A lone tear rolls down Claudette’s cheek, and I turn to hug her.

“I’m sorry. It can’t have been easy.”

“No, it wasn’t. But that’s the thing about twin flame relationships. They are both challenging and healing. They highlight your deepest insecurities, fears, and shadows. But if you work through them, you’ll come out the other side stronger and more whole.”

We’re quiet then. The soft gurgling sound of the water and the occasional bird singing is soothing. I need that because my mind wants to race.

What Claudette just described has me reviewing my relationship with Tiero. If it was a dinner course, it’d be a sweet, enticing entrée, a volatile main, and a bitter dessert.

While I don’t know why Jasper and Claudette ultimately didn’t work, it’s clear Tiero and I aren’t meant to be together either. Our world views could never co-exist.

The thought stings and shatters my heart all over again.

Sometimes, love really isn’t enough.

But it’s not something I want to dwell on, or I’m going to lose it all over again.

A cluster of leaves breaks free from a nearby tree, twirling and pirouetting gracefully in the wind. There’s a delicate beauty in their descent. It’s a reminder that even when things fall apart, there’s always the possibility of discovering a silver lining. You just have to be open to it.

Being with Tiero crystallized my boundaries, and that’s important.

There are certain things I can’t accept. The cruelty and entitlements of Tiero’s world front and center.

But my time with him made me grow. I’ve become more assertive and daring, and done things I never thought I could or would. I’m stronger for it. And it’s all thanks to Tiero.

I stand up, and Claudette follows. We each pick up two buckets and make our way back through the clearing.

“Do you miss Jasper? Can you still sense him?”

She laughs humorlessly. Something I’m not used to from her. “I’ve consciously blocked my connection with him.”

“Really? Why?”

“It’s a long story. Twin flames can go through the same emotional challenges. The circumstances might be different, but they experience similar emotions.”

She sighs, her shoulders slumping. “I was a mess before and after we split, and sensing his struggles amplified mine. For my sanity, I put up shields. Our connection can never be severed because we are one soul, but even after all these years, I’m not ready to let him close again. Our last argument cut too deep. Even though I understand now why he acted the way he did… I don’t want to go there again.” She sounds determined. A happily ever after with Jasper is not on the cards.

“A twin flame relationship can be highly constructive or destructive. It all depends on the maturity of the people involved. I hope Jasper let go of what held him back, but I’m not going out of my way to find out.

“I’m grateful I got to experience the high of meeting him. That moment had a larger-than-life quality that will always stay with me.”

She sighs. “Meeting your twin flame is the most powerful soul encounter you could ever have.”

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