Hearts We Call Home

8. New Place, Old City

Nura

Nura arrived at Kaiz's house in Ponal the following morning around nine o'clock. They had made two stops along the way, during which both the driver and Kaiz got out to stretch. At the second stop, Kaiz hurried to use the restroom, while the driver asked if Nura wanted anything and suggested she join them outside to stretch her legs. Nura simply shook her head, pulling her legs closer to her chest and wrapping her arms around them.

After her brief exchange with Kaiz the previous night, which consisted of just two questions, a silence enveloped the car. It appeared that Kaiz had fallen asleep, resting his head against the window, just as she had. He might have been awake but merely relaxing, like her; she wasn't sure and didn't bother to check.

Nura felt weary. Once the day's anxiety faded, a deep exhaustion set in, making her feel sluggish. Her limbs ached, and her head was spinning, so she opted to remain in the car for the duration of the journey.

As Nura stepped out of the car, she glanced around the neighbourhood, her legs feeling shaky. Gripping the car door, she took a few deep breaths to steady herself. Once she felt confident her legs wouldn't buckle, she looked up. The vehicle had parked in front of a two-story bungalow that looked similar to the other houses in the area. It dawned on her that despite living in Ponal for years, she had never been to this part of town. Until now, it hadn't been necessary.

Nura's focus shifted when a middle-aged woman opened the door and hurried the driver inside, who was carrying her bags. She wanted to shout out that she could manage on her own, but her voice failed her. Before she could move her body, the man had vanished into the house. Taking a deep breath, she walked around the car and noticed Kaiz coming in with a backpack in one hand and a small suitcase in the other — none of it belonged to her. When he caught sight of her watching, he gestured for her to come inside.

Nura stepped through the large gate and walked directly to the front door of the house, trailing behind Kaiz. She paused to take in her surroundings. To her left, a pathway led off somewhere, she guessed it probably went to the backyard, while to her right was the car garage.

She watched as the front door swung open, and the driver stepped out, smiling and nodding at her before heading back to the main gate. The middle-aged woman followed him outside. She looked at Nura, smiled, and wished her a good morning. Nura returned the greeting softly, her voice still reluctant to cooperate.

The woman gestured for Nura to follow her inside. As they entered, she bent down to retrieve a pair of house slippers and placed them in front of Nura. Nura nodded, hoping to convey her gratitude, then slipped off her wedges and put on the slippers. They walked through the hallway and reached the staircase, where Nura quietly followed the woman up the flight of stairs.

Upon reaching the floor, Nura glanced around and noticed three mahogany doors — one on the right and two on the left. The woman knocked on the door to the right. Hearing a soft "come in," she motioned for Nura to enter with her.

To her left was a large, meticulously made bed, its crisp linens and polished wooden frame exuding a sense of newness and care, as if it had never been used. Matching nightstands with drawers stood on either side of the bed. Against the wall near the left side of the bed, her suitcases and backpack lay neatly. Decorated in warm shades of brown and white, the room had an inviting calmness to it.

On her right, an elegant, opaque glass folding door hinted at a hidden area — perhaps a private nook or closet. Just beside the door, Nura's attention settled on an open shelving unit that had multiple bottles. She only recognised the two bottles of perfume. Mounted beside it was a tall, polished mirror that subtly reflected the soft light in the room.