What A Beautiful Face She Has

Stealing

Mathew's POV:

I woke up in the middle of the night, feeling very uncomfortable. I didn’t know what that feeling was.

I opened my eyes and yawned. I grabbed my phone to check the time, 3 a.m.

I sat up on the bed to drink water. My room was too cold as the AC had been running for several hours. I like my room like this, cold as Switzerland. I searched for the AC remote to switch it off but couldn’t find it. I searched throughout the room and finally found it in the cupboard.

"Ada, ama, nethu marijuana packets edukumbodhu idha ingaye maathi vechiten."
(Oh right, I must’ve moved it here yesterday when I took the marijuana packets.)

"Naan oru loosu."
(I’m such an idiot.)

Author: Adhan, ooruke theriyume.
(That’s obvious to the whole town.)

Just then, I realized that the spot where she had slept last night was empty. The bedsheet was still there and so was the pillow.

"Enga pona indha nerathula?"
(Where did she go at this hour?)

I went to the living room to check if she was there. I was sure she wouldn’t be in her room, so I didn’t check there.

Author: Ivlo theduriye, bathroom la parthiya da?
(You're searching this much, but did you even check the bathroom?)

Mathew: Oh, god. I forgot that.

I rushed to my room and checked the bathroom. She wasn’t there.

"Apo enga dha pona?"
(Then where the hell did she go?)

I was thinking when I noticed the balcony door was slightly open.

"Idhu epdi open la iruku? Nethu naan moodama vandhutena?"
(Why is this open? Didn’t I shut it last night?)

I was about to panic when I heard someone sneeze.🤧

"Haiyo, thirudan vandhutan polaye?"
(Oh no, sounds like a thief has come.)

"Who's that?" I asked, but got no response.

After gathering courage, I opened the door and stepped into the balcony. My eyes widened.

To my utter shock, it was Stella. She was sitting on the balcony, back against the wall, in half-sleep, wrapped in the bedsheet.

I quickly kneeled and touched her shoulder.

"Stella?" After a few moments, she opened her eyes.

"Edhuku inga thoongitu iruka? Naan dha sonnenla bed la thoongunu. What's wrong with you?"
(Why are you sleeping here? Didn’t I tell you to sleep on the bed?)

Before she could speak, she sneezed again.

"Paaru, epdi iruku in condition nu? Vaa, ulla polam."
(Look at the condition you’re in! Come inside.)

I held her hand and realized how cold she was.

I brought her inside and made her sit on the bed.