Timeless | rorasa

Chapter 4: The Rain and The Stranger

The rain poured down relentlessly, casting a cold, gray veil over the city as Rora entered her luxurious apartment. Her footsteps echoed in the empty foyer, mingling with the distant rumble of thunder. She was drenched, her normally immaculate attire clinging uncomfortably to her skin, a stark contrast to the opulence of her surroundings.

With each step toward her bedroom, exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders. Yet, as she pushed open the bedroom door, her weariness was momentarily forgotten, replaced by a jolt of disbelief. There, standing by the rain-streaked window, was a woman unlike any she had ever seen.

Asa, adorned in an ornate gown that shimmered softly in the subdued light, turned to face Rora with a mixture of surprise and confusion. Her attire, reminiscent of a bygone era, boasted intricate lace and embroidery, exuding regal and timeless elegance. Her long, dark hair was meticulously braided, and her royal attire was resplendent with jewels, enhancing her ethereal and nostalgic appearance.

Rora's voice, usually controlled and measured, sliced through the tense silence with an edge of frustration and bewilderment. "Who are you, and how did you get in here?" Her tone brooked no nonsense, demanding answers to the impossible scenario unfolding before her eyes.

Asa blinked, her wide eyes betraying genuine confusion and a hint of fear. "I don't know how I ended up in this unfamiliar place," she confessed uncertainly, her gaze darting nervously around the room. "Just moments ago, I was in my own realm, surrounded by familiar faces and comforts. Then, suddenly, a brilliant light surrounded me, and now I find myself here."

Rora's brow furrowed in disbelief, skepticism tightening her features. "This is absurd," she snapped, her voice sharp with incredulity. "You can't just appear in my bedroom and expect me to believe some ridiculous story about time travel."

Asa's shoulders drooped slightly, a pained expression crossing her delicate features. "I'm telling you the truth," she insisted, her voice wavering with a mix of frustration and desperation. "I don't belong here. Please, I beg you, help me find my way back."

Rora's jaw clenched as she studied Asa, torn between her natural cynicism and a flicker of empathy that tugged at her conscience. She glanced around her meticulously decorated bedroom, her sanctuary of privacy now invaded by this bewildering stranger.

"You need to leave," Rora stated firmly, crossing her arms defensively. "I can't have you here."

Tears welled in Asa's eyes as she hesitated, taking a small step towards the door. Her posture reflected defeat as she pleaded softly, her voice cracking with despair. "I have nowhere else to go," she implored. "Please, I beg of you, help me understand what has happened to me."

Rora's expression hardened, her resolve bolstered by the practicalities of her celebrity status and the potential risks of harboring a stranger. "Not my problem," she replied coldly, her tone final. "Find somewhere else to be."

With that, Rora turned away, steeling herself against the lingering echoes of Asa's distress. She busied herself with removing her wet clothes and drying off, trying to drown out the guilt gnawing at her conscience.

Through the veil of rain-streaked glass, she glimpsed Asa standing alone in the downpour, a solitary figure silhouetted against the city lights. The sight stirred an unexpected ache within her, a pang of empathy she struggled to reconcile with her guarded nature.

"Damn it," Rora muttered under her breath, her internal conflict reaching a tipping point. She grabbed a towel and flung open the door with uncharacteristic urgency. "Get back inside," she barked, her voice cutting through the relentless drumming of rain.

Asa looked up, her eyes wide with surprise and gratitude as she stepped back into the warmth of the apartment. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the storm outside.