Anna sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone, her thumb hovering over Alia's contact. For the third time that day, she dialed her friend's number, but once again, there was no answer. Frustration and fear curled inside her. It had been a week since the hotel incident, and she still couldn't piece together what had happened that night. Worse, Daniel had been avoiding her, barely speaking, barely acknowledging her presence in their home.
Her eyes darted to the door, half-expecting Daniel to walk in, but the silence of the house swallowed her whole. The weight of his absence was suffocating.
A memory flashed in her mind—the moment she returned home after that night.
---
She had pushed the door open, her head spinning from confusion and fatigue. The lights were dim, and the house had felt cold, like it no longer belonged to her. She had expected Daniel to ask where she'd been, to confront her with fury. But instead, he stood at the kitchen counter, staring down at his phone, not even glancing up when she entered.
"Daniel?" she had called softly, her voice wavering.
He had finally looked up, his eyes dark with an emotion she couldn't decipher.He asked me about where I was.I just couldn't gather what happened. "I don't want to talk right now, Anna."He didn't even listened to my explanation.His words had been cold, like a door slamming in her face. He didn't ask where she had been or why she had come home so late. He didn't ask anything.
She had stood there for what felt like hours, the silence between them growing wider and more impenetrable. Then, without another word, he had walked away, leaving her standing in the kitchen alone.
---
The memory faded, leaving her hollow. She couldn't go on like this—living in limbo, not knowing what was real or imagined. She needed answers, and with Alia unreachable, there was only one person she could turn to. Noor.
Anna grabbed her keys and headed out, the cool evening air hitting her face as she walked to her car. Noor had always been her rock, someone she could rely on when things got rough. Maybe she would know how to help, how to make sense of this mess.
---
Noor's apartment was small but cozy, the scent of lavender filling the air as Anna entered. Noor greeted her with a warm smile, but there was concern in her eyes.
"Anna, what's going on? You sounded so upset on the phone." Noor led her to the couch, sitting beside her as Anna's composure began to crack.
Anna hesitated, her fingers gripping the edge of her coat. "I don't know what's happening anymore, Noor. Daniel is ignoring me, and I can't remember that night...the night I ended up at the hotel. There's this horrible news story making everything worse, and I can't even reach Alia to figure it out."
Noor frowned, listening intently. "Do you think something happened? With someone else?"
"I don't know," Anna whispered, her voice shaky. "I can't remember anything. And it's tearing Daniel and me apart. I can feel him slipping away."
Noor reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Let's go through what you *do* remember. Maybe we can piece it together."
Anna closed her eyes, her mind swimming as she tried to focus.
---
The bar had been lively, the music loud, and Alia had been laughing beside her. They were talking about old times, reminiscing over drinks. The details were hazy, but she remembered feeling relaxed, happy to be with her friend again after so long. Then something changed. A man had approached them. She couldn't remember his face, but his presence had made her uncomfortable.
"I don't remember much after that," Anna admitted, her voice small. "I remember Alia leaving at some point... but then it's just blank."
---
Noor's voice was gentle, but firm. "Anna, do you trust Alia? Do you think she'd let anything happen to you?"
"I do," Anna said, though the doubt gnawed at her. "But she's not answering her phone. It's like she's disappeared."
Noor's eyes softened with sympathy. "Have you told Daniel any of this?"
Anna shook her head, tears threatening to spill. "He won't listen. He thinks I cheated on him. I don't know how to make him believe me, Noor. I can't even believe myself right now."
Noor leaned in, her voice filled with determination. "Then you need to find the truth, Anna. Don't let this break you two. There has to be a reason why everything is so blurry. You're not the type to cheat, and Daniel should know that."
---
As the night deepened, Anna stayed at Noor's place, reliving memories of her and Daniel. How their love had started quietly, from stolen glances and unspoken admiration during their younger days. Back then, their connection was pure, untainted by secrets or lies.
She remembered the way Daniel used to look at her when they first met—so full of admiration and love, as though she was his entire world. Now, that look had been replaced with suspicion, his eyes filled with doubt every time they met hers.
Noor pulled her into a tight embrace. "Whatever happens, you're not alone in this. You'll figure it out."