The Weight of Silence

Chapter 9

The cool night air brushed against my face as I locked up the flower shop, the faint scent of lilies and roses still clinging to my clothes. The streets were quiet, and the soft hum of distant traffic filled the silence as I started walking home. My thoughts were scattered, drifting between the long day at work and the strange knot of emotions that had been following me since my run-in with Sayjan earlier.

I was so lost in my own head that I almost didn't notice the sound of laughter up ahead. My steps slowed as I squinted into the dim light. Two figures were walking toward me, their voices light and playful. One was taller—a guy—and the other shorter, a girl.

My heart picked up speed. Drunk people, probably.

I lowered my gaze, hoping to avoid eye contact, and kept walking.

"Adma?"

The sound of my name made me stop in my tracks. I looked up, my heart racing, and saw the two figures more clearly now.

"Maya?" I asked, my voice unsure.

It was her—Maya, one of the girls from school. She was grinning, her face lighting up as she saw me. But standing beside her was someone I didn't expect. Nabil.

"Hey, Adma!" Maya said, waving enthusiastically. "What are you doing out here?"

"I just finished work," I said, trying to keep my tone casual.

"Oh, right, at the flower shop!" Maya said, bouncing slightly on her feet. "I always forget you work there. That's so cute."

I smiled faintly, but my attention flickered to Nabil. He was quiet, his hands in his jacket pockets, watching me with a small, almost shy smile.

"We were just grabbing coffee," Maya continued, her voice full of energy. "Nabil insisted we go to this tiny café that's, like, impossible to find."

"It wasn't that hard to find," Nabil said, his voice low and a little awkward.

Maya rolled her eyes playfully.

"Okay, Mr. Humble. You practically needed a map."

I laughed softly, relaxing a little.

"What about you? Heading home?" Maya grinned.

I nodded. "Yeah, it's been a long day."

"Well, you're not walking alone," Maya declared, looping her arm through Nabil's. "We'll keep you company."

Before I could protest, Maya started walking beside me, chatting away about school and her plans for the weekend. Nabil followed quietly, his steps matching mine.

As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the way Maya leaned into him, her hand brushing his arm every now and then. There was an ease between them, a kind of closeness that felt... different.

"So," I said after a while, glancing at Nabil. "You two seem... close."

Maya laughed, nudging him with her elbow. "Close? That's one way to put it."

Nabil cleared his throat, looking a little flustered.

"We're, uh... together."

I blinked, surprised by how easily the words came out of his mouth.

"Oh," I said, smiling. "That's amazing. I'm happy for you guys."

Maya beamed, practically glowing.

"Isn't he the best?" she said, grinning up at him. "I mean, he's a little awkward sometimes, but that's part of his charm."

Nabil's ears turned pink, and he looked down, mumbling something under his breath.

I laughed softly, shaking my head.

"You two seem really good together."

"Thanks," Maya said, her voice warm. "He's pretty great. But don't tell him I said that—his ego's already big enough."

Nabil shot her a look, his lips twitching into a small smile despite himself.

The conversation flowed more easily after that, with Maya doing most of the talking. She had a way of filling the silence, her energy contagious and light. Nabil chimed in here and there, his tone always a little quieter but thoughtful.

When we reached the corner of my street, I stopped and turned to face them.

"This is me," I said, gesturing toward my house.

Maya pouted dramatically. "Aw, already? I was just getting started!"

I laughed. "Thanks for walking with me. It was nice catching up."

"Anytime," she said, pulling me into a quick hug.

As they walked away, I watched them for a moment, Maya's voice carrying through the night as she teased him about something.

He glanced back once, catching my eye, and gave a small, almost hesitant smile before turning back to her.

I stood there for a moment, the cool air biting at my skin. There was a strange warmth in my chest, a quiet kind of happiness for them. But as I turned and walked toward my house, I couldn't shake the faint ache that lingered—an ache I didn't quite understand.