The thick branches of the tall trees covered the rays of the sun which made the forest look dark and gloomy.
Wind is howling, temperature decreasing as it wend down lower and lower, making Nasrin feel cold. Yet, since they have been walking for a few hours now, Nasrin's face looks flush and haggard.
Kendra's ocean blue eyes studied the haggard Nasrin. Nasrin's long black hair was damp with her sweat sticking to the side of her face and neck.
Despite looking haggard and tired, the light brown eyes of Nasrin were still clear, bright, and full of life.
[Something about those eyes look charming.] Kendra subconsciously thought as her lips raised to a light smile.
When realization finally hits her, Kendra quickly admonishes herself in her heart after realizing her own loathsome thoughts, and her smile also quickly disappears.
Kendra banish these weird thoughts as she reminds herself that this is her enemy. She glanced at Nasrin again who was panting beside her.
Nasrin looked like a mess, following Kendra's quick pace, breathing heavily.
Kendra raises her lips seeing this. She, on the other hand, still looks fine. Her back and posture look straight and elegant. Like she was just walking in a park. Kendra grew up in the mountains, and walking a little in the forest won't tire her that easily.
On the other hand, Nasrin doesn't seem to be used to walking. That's probably why Nasrin is breathing heavily as they walk more deeply into the forest. However, that doesn't explain why Nasrin seemed to be fine with this kind of suffering, and the more Kendra watched Nasrin; the more Kendra felt doubtful and strange.
[Why is this weird Nasrin not complaining?] This question has been floating in Kendra's mind.
Earlier, Kendra didn't expect to meet Nasrin sooner again, and even though Kendra doesn't understand why Faye suddenly left her with Nasrin, Kendra thought that this arrangement works in her favour as well.
Kendra could feel that Nasrin is hiding something, and that doubt grew more after meeting Nasrin again. However, Kendra is sure that Nasrin did return to the past. It's just that Kendra feels like Nasrin is still hiding some more secrets, and Kendra wishes to know.
Kendra plans to probe and confirm her suspicions. She will expose Nasrin's secret in the forest, and afterwards, Kendra will confront the other party. However, Kendra felt that something was wrong.
While Kendra was busy with her complicated thoughts.
Nasrin has her eyelids half closed, looking tiredly ahead of her; not noticing a rock on her steps.
Nasrin tripped over and stumbled, falling with her front facing on the ground. Kendra widens her eyes as her body moves in instinct; reflexively moving in front of Nasrin, catching the thin frail body; with Nasrin face falling on Kendra's soft round chest.
After catching Nasrin, Kendra ended up having her arm wrapped around Nasrin, making it seem like she was pulling Nasrin to her breast.
Right after that, no one moves, and a long silence envelops the two as they both remain with their position. Slowly, Kendra felt the blood on her veins going to her head as she felt embarrassed and ashamed of what she just did.
[Why did I save this…this…?] Kendra scolded herself in her heart.
Her brows furrowed, staring complicatedly at the unmoving bastard lying comfortably on her arms and chest. It doesn't seem that Nasrin plans to move away from Kendra; as the bastard stays still like a rock.
Kendra cleared her throat, pushing Nasrin slightly, but she found out that the other party had her eyes closed. It turns out Nasrin fell asleep in her arms.
This made Kendra's furrowed brows deepen. [She fell asleep?]
If this is the original Nasrin in her memories, Kendra is sure that Nasrin would never leave herself vulnerable. After all, the Nasrin in Kendra's memories is someone who doesn't leave a single opening for anyone to take advantage of.
The quick witted Kendra could only sum up everything in her head in just one question.
[Is it possible that this is not the Nasrin I knew?]
However, Kendra thought this was impossible because this is indeed Nasrin's face and body.
Slowly, the lids of Nasrin's eyes open, blinking her long thick lashes, staring sleepily at Kendra's chest.
When Nasrin looked up, Kendra have a crumpled face. The drowsiness in Nasrin's sleepy eyes faded; her eyes widened; quickly standing up straight.
Nasrin cleared her throat. She grabbed the back of her neck and said, "sorry, are we there yet?"
Sorry? That's not something the Nasrin that Kendra knew would ever say, but the Nasrin in front of her has indeed said it. And Kendra heard it thrice.
First, Kendra heard Nasrin say it on behalf of that scumbag ex of hers. Second was the time when Nasrin forgot Faye's existence in the library. Nasrin said it so casually that it shocked her, and now, Nasrin also said it to her.
Despite feeling deeply suspicious, Kendra smiled and said, "not yet, a little more and we'll finally get there, do you want to go back?"
Nasrin shook her head. "No, let's continue, we're finally here anyway…" Nasrin said with a sigh of resignation. Regret visible on her face, but soon she smiled at Kendra and continued on.
Kendra didn't respond; she just nodded her head with her lips curve to a light smile.
The two walk side by side again.
"So, how long are we going to walk before we finally get there?" Nasrin said, looking cautiously around the gloomy dark forest.
Kendra glanced at Nasrin and said, "a few more steps then we'll be there, do you want to stop?"
Nasrin's thick brows were pulled up together, stretching her mouth exposing her set of white teeth. She walks while her arms hug herself, rubbing her arms from the low freezing temperature of the murky forest.
"No…" Nasrin said. "Well, not that I'm complaining or anything, but don't you think that we're getting deeper into the forest, we might end up getting lost, you know?" Nasrin said, looking around the forest.
[That's exactly the point.] Kendra thought in her heart, but she concealed it with a smile. "Don't worry, you and I won't get lost as long as I'm here," Kendra said.
Nasrin smiled at Kendra and said, "alright, I trust you."
That statement made Kendra immediately stop moving her legs; she turned her head to Nasrin.
Nasrin who's following her pace also stops as she turns to Kendra. "What's the matter?" Nasrin said.
Her thick brows furrowed worriedly. Clear light brown eyes stared in distress and concern at Kendra.
[This isn't the Nasrin I knew.] Kendra concluded in her thoughts finally.
Nasrin looked around the murky forest and said, "are we lost?"
"No, we're not lost," Kendra said slowly as her head tilted to the side.
"Then what's the matter?" Said Nasrin, puzzled.
Kendra shook her head and said, "nothing, let's go?"
Nasrin widens her eyes as if being enlightened. "Are you also tired? We can take a quick rest if you want," Nasrin suggested, grinning at Kendra.
Kendra didn't respond and just stared at Nasrin.
If this isn't that arrogant Nasrin, then who is she? Why does this person look like Nasrin?
"Or if you want to continue, I'm also fine with that," Nasrin added in a dejected voice, biting her lower lip as if aggrieved.
After concluding things in her head, and despite still feeling confused and suspicious over this person's identity, Kendra decided to not make the other party suffer any longer. Kendra is only heartless to those people who made her and her loved ones suffer. If this fellow isn't the Nasrin she knew, then there's no need to make this fellow suffer.
So she sat on the side of the tree and said, "alright, let's take a quick rest right here."
Nasrin's dim eyes lightened up as she quickly sat beside Kendra. She took a book inside her satchel bag and started reading in silence.
Kendra quietly watches the person beside her read curiously.
The other party was reading a grade 1 book. Which made Kendra curious over this person's true identity.
Every four year old kid has read this book many times while learning and attending free classes in church. Well, for commoners who can't hire a tutor, they could only freely learn these basic common knowledge at church. The church offers free classes in public, and everyone can learn for free.
The grade 1 book that this person is reading is something a four year old kid would learn if they attended those free classes in church. Or if they are an aristocrat who doesn't want to associate themselves with commoners; then they could hire a personal tutor and learn privately in the comfort of their house.
Yet, this person is reading it like she was learning for the first time.
Kendra doesn't know who this person is, but she is sure that this person isn't that arrogant selfish heartless Nasrin. However, Kendra still has to confirm things, she would not let her guard down just because this person isn't acting like the Nasrin she knew.
That's why Kendra would make sure to probe this person's secret as they continue deeper into the forest.
Kendra's ocean blue eyes darken as she calculated things in her head. Her lips raised to a sly smirk.
On the other hand, Nasrin still has her light brown eyes focused on the book; completely oblivious to the thoughts of the person beside her.
"Why are you reading a grade 1 book?"
Kendra finally decided to ask as she felt curious about the identity of the other party.
Nasrin who got her eyes focused on the book glanced at Kendra. "I'll tell you if you promise not to laugh," Nasrin said, smiling embarrassedly.
Kendra tilted her head to the side. Her ocean blue eyes narrowed with curiosity and amusement. "Very well, you have my word," Kendra replied, raising her lips.
Nasrin smiled awkwardly, grabbing the back of her neck that glowed pinkish red.
Another habit that Kendra noticed that the arrogant Nasrin would never do in front of anyone. That arrogant Nasrin she knew was never an awkward person. She isn't the type to look insecure and lacking confidence. That Nasrin she knew always had her head held high, looking down on people.
It may be strange, but Kendra knew the detestable personality of that arrogant Nasrin like the back of her hand.
Yet, this Nasrin in front of her acted totally different from who Nasrin is in her memories. Like a different person, and perhaps this person is indeed not that person, but Kendra dare not run to conclusions. What she needs is evidence. Something that would prove that her suspicions were right.
Kendra concealed these thoughts as she watched Nasrin take a deep breath then Nasrin turned to look at Kendra seriously. "The reason is…"
"Go ahead," Kendra urged softly.
"I don't know how to use magic," Nasrin said in one breath. She panted like it took every energy in her body to say that.
Kendra furrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, I don't know magic," Nasrin replied with a sheepish smile. "You probably don't believe me, do you?"
"Then why do you not know magic?" Kendra probed deeper; testing the bottom line of the other party.
Nasrin fidgets with her fingers as her light brown eyes avert eye contact. "That…I can't tell you," Nasrin said in a guilty tone.
It seems she must find a way to force out the secret from this Nasrin, Kendra thought to herself, but she concealed these thoughts with her polite smile.
Kendra leaned forward to make the other party look at her.
Nasrin jolted away, taken aback by the sudden closeness. She scooted a distance away and smiled awkwardly.
Kendra smiled, finally seeing her reflection on those light brown eyes. "That's quite alright, I won't force you if you wish not to tell me," Kendra said.
Nasrin heaved a sigh of relief then she muttered, "thanks."
[Thanks? Not thank you?]
Strange habits and wordings.
Kendra's doubts grew further in her heart.
"Alright, shall we go?" Kendra said as she stood up.
"Mm," Nasrin nodded and stood up.
The two walk again deeper into the forest.
Kendra thought of an idea on how to confirm the suspicions in her heart. She will force Nasrin to use magic. If Nasrin does indeed can't use magic; then it only means that this person beside her is indeed not the Nasrin she knew.
However, if she is not that arrogant Nasrin, then…who is she?