The Capital

A New Reality

As I sat there, reeling from the revelation of the date, the couple’s concern was palpable. They exchanged worried glances before turning their attention back to me. "Are you okay, dear?" the woman asked gently, her voice laced with genuine care. They could see that I was struggling to grasp the reality of my situation.

I spaced out for a moment, trying to anchor myself in this new reality. After a deep breath, I managed to respond, "I'm just a bit shaken, that's all." The woman’s expression softened, and she offered to help me rest. She guided me to their worn but comfortable couch in the living room, covering me with a blanket. I thanked her, appreciating the simple kindness in a world that seemed to have lost so much of it.

When I woke up, it was still dark, but I found a lantern placed next to me, its soft light illuminating the room with a warm glow. A smile tugged at my lips at the sight of it. They had thought of me even as I slept, ensuring I wouldn’t wake in complete darkness. I took the lantern in hand and wandered around the room, looking at their humble decorations—odd trinkets, old photographs, and makeshift furniture, all telling a story of survival and resilience.

I still couldn’t make sense of everything that had happened, but after a long time of thinking, I realized I had no choice but to accept it. I would have to take things as they came, one step at a time. For now, I had shelter, I had warmth, and I wasn’t alone. That was enough.

I returned to the couch, feeling the exhaustion from everything finally catching up with me. But there was also a sense of relief in meeting these kind people, a small comfort in an otherwise terrifying situation.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of soft laughter and murmured conversation. I rubbed my eyes and saw the couple sitting together at the small dining table, chatting like any other elderly couple might over breakfast. For a moment, it felt like a slice of normalcy in a world turned upside down.

I slowly made my way over to them, hesitating slightly before joining their conversation. "Good morning," I greeted, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.

"Good morning, Aria," the woman replied with a warm smile. Her husband nodded in greeting, a glint of humor in his eyes.

"How did you sleep?" the man asked, his tone light and easy.

"Better than I expected," I admitted, sitting down with them. "Thank you both for everything."

They waved off my thanks with practiced humility. "It’s nothing, dear," the woman said, pouring me a cup of something warm that smelled faintly of herbs. "We’re just glad you’re safe."

As I sipped the drink, I couldn’t help but let curiosity get the better of me. I needed to understand this world, even if just a little. "Can I ask… what happened to this place? Why is everything covered in sand?"

The couple exchanged a glance before chuckling softly. "That’s an odd question, Aria," the man said with a grin. "Survival has been our main concern for so long that we don’t really question the world much anymore. It’s just the way things are."

I nodded, understanding that in this harsh environment, survival instincts overrode any need for explanations. "I suppose that makes sense," I said, trying to align my thoughts with their reality. They had no need to wonder about the past or the reasons behind the desolation—they simply lived day by day.

Despite the gap between my knowledge of the past and their acceptance of the present, we continued to chat. They told me stories about their life, about how they met years ago, and how they had managed to survive in this world. I shared a little about myself—carefully avoiding details that might raise suspicion—mostly just bits about enjoying the company of friends, and how important small comforts were.

The more we talked, the more I felt a connection growing between us. Despite our differences, there was something comforting about being with them, about the way they accepted things as they were without question.

As we were finishing our conversation, the woman leaned in slightly. "You know, Aria, you’re welcome to stay here with us if you don’t have anywhere else to go. But we’re planning a trip to the closest town soon. We could drop you off there if you’d prefer. It’s your choice."

I considered her offer carefully. Staying with them meant safety and companionship, but going to town could provide answers, maybe even a way back to whatever life I was meant to live. "Thank you," I said softly. "I’ll think about it."

For now, I decided to simply enjoy the cozy atmosphere they provided. It was a strange, new world, but in this small bubble of kindness, I found a small measure of peace. Whatever came next,

As the days passed, I started to settle into a routine with the elderly couple. They were kind and patient, and in their company, I found a semblance of peace. One afternoon, as we were going about our usual tasks, they warned me about an approaching sandstorm. They were already prepared, having pulled out a massive cloth to cover the house—a routine they seemed all too familiar with. I helped them secure it over the roof and walls, making sure everything was tightly fastened.

"Does this happen often?" I asked, curious about how they seemed so unfazed by the looming storm.

The man chuckled, glancing at his wife before answering. "Not too often. Maybe once a week, sometimes less, sometimes more. It’s just part of life out here."

"Why do you ask?" the woman added with a teasing smile. "Were you living in some kind of bubble before you came here?"

I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. "A luxury bubble, maybe," I joked, trying to mask the truth of my past life. 

When the sandstorm hit, it was intense. The wind howled around us, and the sand pelted the house with a relentless fury. I stayed close to the couple, helping them secure windows and doors, and keeping everything in place. It was the least I could do after all they had done for me.

Finally, the storm lifted, leaving the world outside covered in a fresh layer of sand. We worked together to remove the heavy cloth and clean up, the woman muttering a mix of curses and humorous remarks as she swept away the sand. "A woman should stay beautiful no matter the situation," she said with a grin, and I couldn’t help but smile back, her resilience contagious.