*Tick-tock*
As the clock ticked softly in the background, Amaya's heart raced with a mix of tenderness and guilt. "Sofy?" she whispered, her voice barely audible in the dimly lit room as Sophia rested heavily on top of her, the warmth of her body a comforting weight. Amaya paused, watching her friend's chest rise and fall in a steady rhythm, and when she realized Sophia was lost in a deep slumber, she carefully shifted her onto the bed, feeling the warmth of her body linger on her skin.
As she placed Sophia on the bed, Amaya's heart ached with tenderness. "I'm sorry for scaring you earlier..." she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. She tucked the blanket around Sophia, the fabric whispering softly as it enveloped her. With a gentle caress, Amaya brushed her fingers along Sophia's cheek, tracing the delicate curve of her jaw. She leaned down, planting a soft kiss on her forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin linger on her lips.
Reluctantly, Amaya stepped back, her heart heavy as she turned to leave. In the living room, she caught sight of Seth, his face relaxed as he slept on the couch, the faint sound of his breathing creating a comforting atmosphere.
Moving quietly, Amaya tiptoed into the next room, where Fred lay alone, his brow furrowed slightly in sleep. She smiled softly, feeling a wave of protectiveness wash over her, and tucked the blanket around him, ensuring he was cozy. As she continued her rounds, she entered the room where Elli and Somiya were nestled together. With a dejected sigh, Amaya noticed how Elli had claimed the entire blanket for herself, leaving Somiya exposed to the cool air. She gently draped a blanket over Somiya, feeling the soft fabric brush against her fingers, and then left the room with another blanket in her hand, the weight of her thoughts heavier than the blanket itself.
Amaya emerged from the room, her footsteps soft but purposeful, and threw the blanket over Seth, who was sprawled on the couch, pretending to be asleep. She perched herself on the edge of the table, her posture tense, and said, "I know you haven't fallen asleep. Wake up, need to have a few words with you." Her voice was steady, but the urgency behind it crackled in the air. Seth, still half-hidden under the blanket, peeked out, his eyes narrowing as he registered the seriousness of her expression.
"Say," he replied, his tone casual, but the flicker of concern in his eyes betrayed him. Amaya leaned in slightly, her gaze piercing as she studied his face. She placed her right leg over her left, the movement deliberate, and said, "I heard someone's voice at the supermarket."
Seth raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes, which glinted with mischief. "Really? Wow, what a coincidence! I heard voices at the supermarket too. Glad to know I'm not the only one. Thanks for the heads-up," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm, the words hanging heavily in the air between them.
Amaya clicked her tongue, frustration simmering just beneath the surface, her jaw tightening. "It was way too familiar," she shot back, her eyes narrowing into icy slits, radiating an unforgiving intensity. "Were you aware they were in this city before we came here?" The question lingered, thick with tension, wrapping around them like a suffocating shroud.
Seth's expression faltered, the playful facade crumbling as he locked eyes with her, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. "It must be your hallucinations," he said, attempting to brush off her concern, but the slight tremor in his voice betrayed his uncertainty. He began to turn away, seeking refuge in the comfort of sleep, but froze when he noticed Elli and Sophia lingering at their doors, a shadow of unease washing over his features. He knew that if Amaya were to confront them, they wouldn't be able to lie.
Amaya's heart raced as she saw a slight change in Seth's demeanour, the air thick with unspoken tension. "You think this is just a joke?" she snapped, her voice barely above a whisper, but laced with fury.
Seth's expression hardened, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face as he stared at Amaya. "You're being paranoid, Ama. You always do this—jump to conclusions without any proof," he shot back, his tone defensive, but the underlying worry in his eyes betrayed his bravado.
"Paranoid?" Amaya echoed, disbelief mingling with anger. "I saw their reflection with my own eyes and you're saying I'm being paranoid!"
The silence that followed was palpable, each heartbeat echoing in the charged atmosphere. "Did you know or not?" She pressed, her gaze unwavering. Seth opened his mouth to respond, but the weight of Amaya's words hung between them, a barrier neither of them wanted to cross. Seth clenched his fist beneath the blanket, tension radiating from him as he replied, "No." The air thickened with silence, the conversation hanging heavy between them. With a nod, Amaya stood up, her fingers brushing against Seth's jacket as she pulled it from the couch, the weight of the moment heavy in the air. "Sofy and Elli, I came here to support your dreams, and that was my choice. Don't carry the guilt for my decisions." Her voice was steady, but the tension crackled around them like static. As she stepped outside, her words lingered, but instead of offering comfort, they deepened the guilt for Sophia and Elli, a stark reminder that they were all entwined in this plan.
As Amaya walked through the park under the watchful gaze of the moon, she spotted Zeya a short distance away, her figure tense as she spoke into her phone. Amaya moved closer, standing silently behind her, waiting for her to finish the call.
"Who told you to give them everything! If you don't stop pushing me, I swear I won't call again!" Zeya's voice pierced the night, rising sharply with frustration. Amaya's heart sank, her brow furrowing as she watched Zeya's expression shift. "Please, just listen! Mom! I said I'll pay everything back, I promise! Just ask them to wait for a few more months!" Zeya sank to the ground, her fist clenched tightly as she buried her face in her legs, trying to shield herself from the storm of emotions swirling within her. Her frustration was palpable, teeth gritting as she listened to her mother's relentless demands. "You know what? Fine! Do whatever you want!" she finally shouted, the words bursting forth like a dam breaking, before she abruptly hung up. A trembling breath escaped her lips as she tightened her grip around her phone, the tension in her body radiating into the cool night air.
Amaya gently placed her hand on Zeya's shoulder, feeling the tension ripple through her as Zeya flinched at the touch. Zeya hastily wiped her tears away, her eyes red and puffy, and slowly stood up from the cold ground, attempting to mask her pain with a forced smile. "It's late. Why are you out here?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly, trying to sound casual as if everything was perfectly fine.
Amaya took off her jacket and draped it around Zeya's shoulders, the fabric enveloping her in warmth. "You weren't inside, so I couldn't sleep," Amaya replied, her gaze dropping to the ground as she zipped up the jacket, the sound of the zipper breaking the heavy silence. She lifted her gaze, searching Zeya's eyes for answers. "I didn't mean to pry, but… if you're okay with it, can you tell me what's going on?"
Zeya bit her lip, her tears spilling over once more as she took a step closer, the vulnerability in her eyes piercing through Amaya's heart. "I don't want to be a burden," Zeya admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Without a word, Zeya wrapped her arms tightly around Amaya, her head resting on her shoulder, seeking solace. Amaya felt a surge of fear creeping in, a knot forming in her stomach as she hugged Zeya back, her hand rubbing soothing circles on Zeya's back. "I don't mind carrying a burden if it's you," she murmured softly, trying to provide comfort amidst the storm of emotions swirling around them.
"Before we moved to Feather City, we lived in Dilute City with grandpa, grandma, and dad," Zeya whispered, her voice barely above a murmur as memories washed over her like a gentle tide while sitting beside Amaya in the bench. "My dad was in the frontline army. When I was eight, grandpa died, and then grandma left for her hometown. By the time I was twelve, my dad was gone too. Mom wanted to follow grandma, but dad always dreamed of me studying in prestigious schools, so we came to Feather City instead. You know, mom never went to school; it was dad who taught her to read and write."
Zeya sighed deeply, resting her head on Amaya's shoulder, their fingers intertwined, the warmth of their connection a small comfort against the chill of her memories. "After we moved, mom had to work at a restaurant. And then, last year, grandma passed away too. Dad's brother and sister just turned their backs on us, refusing to help with the funeral. It broke my mom's heart. She didn't want to dip into her savings, which she saved for my future, so she took out a loan and buried grandma herself."
Amaya's brows knitted together, confusion etched across her face as she absorbed Zeya's words. "But why would they refuse? It's their mom's funeral," she asked, her voice laced with disbelief, the weight of Zeya's story settling heavily in the air between them.
Zeya sighed deeply, her voice trembling as she hugged Amaya's arm tightly. "Dad was the youngest child, but he was also the wealthiest. It always made them jealous. We later learned that grandma and grandpa took out loans to build houses for each of their children. And now, with the loans still hanging over us, the debtors expect my mom to foot the bill since she handled the funeral. Three months ago, Dad's eldest brother got into that terrible accident, and Aunty came to my mom, begging for help when no one else would step up. My mom, with her soft heart, poured all her savings into saving his life."
Amaya rested her head on top of Zeya's, her voice soft yet firm. "But it wasn't your mom who took the money. Shouldn't debtor's go to your uncles for payment? Shouldn't they be the responsible one since it was meant for them?"
Zeya felt a surge of frustration, tears welling in her eyes. "I thought the same thing! But they twisted the story, telling the debtors it was Dad who squandered the money. I begged Mom to ask eldest uncle for some of the money back, but she hesitates, saying he's still recovering. And now, she wants to sell our house in Dilute City—the one filled with memories of Dad. I can't bear the thought of losing it. I've already paid half the loan, and if I can just hold on for three more months, I could settle it all. But they won't wait! They're threatening to take us to court and charge us even more if we don't pay within a week. It's just so unfair!"
"Shh! Just breathe. I'm right here," Amaya murmured, wrapping her arms around Zeya, her fingers gently rubbing her arms to soothe her. Zeya pressed her face against Amaya's neck, her voice trembling. "I don't know what to do anymore. Mom won't listen, and she's determined to sell the house." Amaya's heart ached as she took in the vulnerable sight of Zeya, evoking a deep sense of empathy and longing to protect her.