Hearts On The Highrise

Chapter 46 : a heart in pieces

As I stood there, trying to process Faye's words, disbelief and confusion clouded my thoughts. I couldn't wrap my head around what she had just said. Engfa wouldn't have left like that, not without giving me an explanation. I refused to believe it. With determination pushing me forward, I made my way to Engfa's office. As I stepped inside, a heavy feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. The room felt devoid of life, the once vibrant space now dim and empty.

Standing there, frowning, an uncomfortable feeling came over me as I scanned the barren surroundings of Engfa's office.

With a growing sense of urgency, I wasted no time and made my way swiftly to P'sun's office. Each step felt heavier than the last as I traversed the corridor, my mind swirling with questions and apprehensions. When I finally reached P'sun's door, I knocked repeatedly, the sound echoing down the empty hallway, but there was no response. 

Running a hand through my hair, I struggled to come to terms with Faye's words. It was difficult to fathom that Engfa would leave without a word, and I couldn't shake the feeling that Faye's intention was to inflict pain. Maybe it was all just a cruel joke, a twisted attempt to unsettle me. But despite my efforts to rationalize, a nagging doubt persisted, clawing at the edges of my mind.

I hurried back to my office to get my bag, my mind consumed by the urgent need to find Engfa. With every step, I prayed that she would be waiting for me at home, lounging on the sofa or perhaps trying to prepare something in the kitchen. I imagined her immersed in her work in our bedroom, her presence a comforting balm to my troubled thoughts.

As I made my way to the subway station, my phone buzzed incessantly with messages from Mew, but I paid them no heed. All I could focus on was the overwhelming desire to see Engfa, to find solace in her presence.

With trembling fingers, I tried calling her repeatedly, hoping against hope for a response. But there was nothing, just a deafening silence that echoed through the emptiness of her absence. Panic gnawed at my insides as I grappled with the overwhelming fear of the unknown. But still, I refused to give up hope, clinging to the belief that I would find her waiting for me, safe and sound, at home.

With trembling hands, I struggled to insert the key into the lock, frustration mounting with each failed attempt. Finally, the door swung open, revealing a desolate emptiness that mirrored the turmoil within me. Phalo lay curled up asleep, oblivious to the chaos unfolding around him. Calling out Engfa's name, I prayed for a response, a sign that she was still here, still mine. But the silence that greeted me was deafening.

Searching every room, every corner of our once vibrant sanctuary, I found no trace of her. Panic threatened to engulf me as I confronted the stark reality of her absence. Desperately trying to quell the rising tide of fear, I forced myself to remain calm, to believe that she would return to me.

But as I surveyed the wardrobe, now depleted of her belongings save for a few stray sweaters and T-shirts, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. The unmistakable absence of her cherished possessions sent a shiver down my spine, a silent testament to her sudden departure.

In the bathroom, her makeup no longer adorned the vanity, leaving behind only the faint echo of her presence. My heart constricted with each passing moment, but still, I refused to surrender to despair.

With a racing heart and tears threatening to spill over, I dashed towards the exit, my mind consumed by a single, desperate thought: finding Engfa. As I sprinted towards the subway, I made one last attempt to reach her, my calls echoing fruitlessly into the void. Arriving at Engfa's apartment, I fumbled for the spare key she had entrusted me with, my hands shaking with a mixture of fear and anticipation.