The Way Of Tears || kthv 📚

CHP: 7 Des ombres à la porte

Farheen practically ran the entire way back to her apartment, her pulse racing with every hurried step. The once comforting sights of the city had transformed into something darker, the shadows cast by the setting sun seeming to stretch and reach for her. She kept glancing over her shoulder, half expecting to see the man from the library following her. But each time she looked, the street behind her was empty, save for a few passersby going about their business.
When she finally reached her apartment building, she rushed inside, her hands shaking as she fumbled with her keys. The familiar click of the lock disengaging brought a brief moment of relief. She slipped inside, slamming the door shut behind her and leaning against it as she tried to catch her breath.Her apartment was quiet, the soft hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen the only sound breaking the silence. She closed her eyes, willing herself to calm down, to steady the erratic beating of her heart. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. Kafiya's voice broke the silence, startling her.

"Farheen, you're back early! Is everything okay?" Farheen opened her eyes, forcing herself to smile as she turned to face her friend. "Yeah, just... just a bit tired, that's all," she lied, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice. Kafiya looked up from the magazine she was reading, her brow furrowing in concern as she took in Farheen's pale face and trembling hands. "Are you sure? You look like you've seen a ghost." Farheen hesitated, not wanting to worry her friend, but the events at the library weighed heavily on her mind.
"I-" She stopped herself, unsure how to explain what had happened without sounding paranoid. "I ran into someone at the library. A man. He... he was strange. He knew my name,Kafe."

Kafiya's expression shifted from concern to alarm. "What? How did he know your name? Did you tell him?" she asked, placing the magazine back on the coffee table "No, I didn't," Farheen said, shaking her head. "He just... knew. And there was something about him, something off. I don't know how to explain it, but he made me feel... uneasy." Kafiya stared at her and got up, walking over to where Farheen was standing by the door. She placed a comforting hand on Farheen's arm.
"Did he follow you?" she asked. "I don't think so," Farheen replied, glancing nervously at the door. "But I couldn't stop looking over my shoulder the whole way home. I just had this feeling, like he was watching me."

Kafiya's eyes narrowed. "That's creepy, Farheen. Maybe you should report it to the building's security or the police."Farheen shook her head again, the thought of involving the authorities making her even more uneasy. "I don't know... I mean, he didn't actually do anything. He was just... there. And the way he spoke, it was like he knew something about me, something I don't even know myself." Kafiya frowned, clearly not convinced. "That doesn't sound like nothing, Farheen. People don't just randomly know your name like that. What did he look like?"

Farheen hesitated, trying to recall the man's features. "He was tall, well-dressed, with dark eyes... and there was this intensity about him, like he was trying to read me or something. But I've never seen him before, I'm sure of it." Kafiya's concern deepened. "That doesn't make me feel any better. What if he's dangerous?" Farheen sighed, running a hand through her face as she tried to make sense of the situation. "I don't know, Kafiya. I just want to forget about it and move on. Maybe I'm overreacting."
Kafiya didn't look convinced. "Overreacting or not, you should be careful. If you see him again, don't talk to him. Just walk away, and if he follows you, get help."Farheen nodded, appreciating her friend's concern, but the unease in her chest didn't dissipate. "You're right. I'll be careful."
"Good," Kafiya said, squeezing Farheen's arm reassuringly. "Now, why don't you sit down and relax? I'll make us some tea. We can watch a movie or something to take your mind off it." Farheen managed a small smile, grateful for Kafiya's support.
"Thanks, that sounds nice." As Kafiya moved to the kitchen, Farheen walked over to the living room, sinking into the plush couch with a heavy sigh. She tried to push the memory of the man's dark, intense gaze out of her mind, but it lingered, unsettling her in a way she couldn't ignore.While she waited for the tea, she took off her hijab and pulled out her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen. She hesitated for a moment before typing a quick search, trying to find any information about him. But without a name or any other details, she came up with nothing.
The search results were filled with irrelevant articles and images, none of which matched the man she had met in the library.Frustrated, she put her phone down, telling herself that she was being paranoid. Maybe he was just a strange guy who happened to recognize her from somewhere. Maybe she had crossed paths with him before and didn't remember. But deep down, she knew it wasn't that simple. There was something more to this, something that didn't sit right with her.