The chill of the Icelandic night wrapped around Katarina as she stood on the balcony, her camera resting lightly in her hands. She had a clear view of the city lights glimmering against the vast, dark sea. Above her, the stars were scattered like fragments of a forgotten dream. The Aurora would return soon, but Katarina's mind wasn't on the sky anymore.
She exhaled slowly, her breath visible in the cold air. Her thoughts circled back to the girl she'd seen at the seaside—the stranger whose tears had etched themselves into her memory.
Katarina tilted her head back, resting it against the cool metal railing. "Who are you?" she murmured into the night.
Her fingers traced the edges of her camera, her thumb brushing over the shutter button absentmindedly. A pang of regret settled in her chest. She hadn't taken a proper picture of the girl. The only shot she had was of her profile, half-shrouded in shadow. It wasn't enough—not enough to capture the quiet beauty or the sorrow that had radiated from her.
She glanced down at the camera in her hands. Why didn't I take another? Katarina wasn't sure if it was politeness, discomfort, or some deeper instinct that had stopped her. All she knew now was that she wished she'd acted differently.
The girl's face haunted her thoughts, like a song she couldn't quite recall but knew she had heard before. Katarina furrowed her brows, the faintest trace of familiarity tugging at her memory.
"Have I seen her before?" she asked herself aloud.
She leaned against the balcony railing, searching her mind for an answer. The girl's features were distinct: sharp yet soft, like a painting that came alive in the dim light. The way her eyes had glistened, the tears catching the last glow of the Aurora—it was unforgettable. And yet Katarina couldn't place where she had seen her before.
"The night made it hard to tell," she muttered, running a hand through her hair. "But I know I've seen her. Somewhere."
The frustration gnawed at her. She had a sharp memory, especially when it came to faces. As an aspiring artist and photographer, she prided herself on noticing the smallest details. And yet, this girl eluded her grasp, like trying to catch smoke with bare hands.
Her eyes drifted to the camera again. She flipped through the photos she'd taken earlier—Aurora, the cityscape, the seaside. Then, there it was: the lone photo of the girl, her side profile framed against the faint glow of the fading lights. Katarina stared at it, her heart clenching.
"Why does this feel so important?" she whispered, her voice barely audible above the distant sounds of the ocean.
The girl's expression in the photo was calm yet melancholic, her posture graceful even in solitude. It was a fleeting moment, captured almost by accident, and yet it felt significant—like this one image held the key to a story Katarina didn't yet understand.
Closing the camera, she leaned on the railing once more, her gaze lost in the endless expanse of the sea.
"I need to know," she said softly, determination edging into her voice. "Who are you? And why do I feel like I already know the answer?"
As the cold wind picked up, carrying the faint scent of saltwater, Katarina made a silent promise to herself: the next time she saw the girl, she wouldn't hesitate. She would speak to her, capture her in full, and uncover the connection that danced just out of reach.
Until then, all she had was the fading memory of the stranger's tears and the growing ache in her chest that whispered she was missing something important.
. . .
At eleven in the morning, Katarina and Brynhildur arrived at the airport. The bodyguard retrieve the luggage and ensured everything was in order before their temporary parting.
As they stood by the departure area, Katarina gave the bodyguard a bright smile, her dimples showing. "Goodbye, Brynhildur. Thank you for everything. You've been amazing."
Brynhildur smiled politely, her professional demeanor softening slightly. "It was my duty, Miss. Remember, as long as the morning rises, you'll find your answers."
Moved by the sincerity of her bodyguard's words, Katarina surprised her with a quick hug. Brynhildur froze momentarily, her hands raised awkwardly, but she didn't pull away.
When Katarina stepped back, she added, "I've learned so much from you. Thank you for everything again, Brynhildur."
"It was my pleasure to serve someone as kind as you, Miss."
With that, they parted ways.
After hours of flight, Katarina finally arrived in Sierra-Madre. The bustling terminal welcomed her with the warm tropical air, a stark contrast to the chilly weather in Reykjavik and Paris. By the time she cleared immigration and collected her bags, it was already close to nine in the morning. She felt the weight of exhaustion settle in her bones but pushed through, determined to get through her first day smoothly.
Brynhildur had stayed with her through the weekend, helping her pack and prepare for this journey. Katarina felt a little lost now that she was navigating things on her own. Her step-sister Sharon, who was supposed to fetch her, hadn't shown up yet.
Sitting in the airport's waiting area, Katarina dialed her mom's number. After a few rings, Sabrina picked up.
"Mom, I arrived safely," Katarina said, her voice carrying a hint of fatigue. "How should I contact Sharon? She's not here yet."
Her mother's voice came through, warm but slightly worried. "You're still at the airport?"
"Yeah," Katarina replied with a sigh. "I forgot to check the time difference between Paris and the Philippines. My plane departed exactly when my first class back home should've started."
"Oh, dear," Silvia said sympathetically. "You're late for your first day?"
"Yeah, too bad."
"Don't worry too much, tiger. I'm sorry I can't fetch you myself. I'm traveling right now, and the driver's with me. I'll send you Sharon's number so you can call her. Just wait for her, okay? Don't wander off."
Katarina smiled faintly. "Okay, Mom. Thanks."
After the call ended, she checked her messages and tried calling Sharon several times. No one picked up, so she decided to send a polite text and wait. The minutes turned into hours, and still, there was no response.
By now, hunger gnawed at her stomach. Reluctantly, she approached one of the small food kiosks in the airport. She hesitated briefly before ordering in a mix of English and local dialect, unsure how fluent the locals were in either language. Luckily, the vendor understood and handed her a warm burger and a bottle of water.
As she sat back down with her snack, her mind wandered. This was her first time in Sierra-Madre. Though Silvia had taught her the basics of the language and culture, Katarina felt unprepared for the reality of navigating this unfamiliar country alone.
An hour stretched into two, and still no sign of Sharon. Frustrated but not wanting to give up, Katarina checked her phone again.
"Why isn't she here yet?" she muttered to herself, stretching her neck to scan the crowded terminal. She sighed deeply. "Maybe she had classes or got caught up in something."
The thought annoyed her, but she couldn't entirely blame Sharon. This was her fault for not checking the time difference and arranging her schedule better. "Am I too excited to be here? That's probably the case," she admitted to herself with a small chuckle.
After three hours of waiting, Katarina decided she couldn't risk missing her afternoon class. She approached the information desk for help.
The attendant greeted her warmly. "How can I help you, Ma'am?"
Katarina hesitated but replied, "It's my first time here. I need to get to Levesque University. What's the best way to go?"
The attendant nodded in understanding. "No worries. I'll arrange a taxi from our registered company to ensure your safety. Please wait here for a moment."
A few minutes later, the attendant returned with a security officer. "The taxi is ready, Ma'am. Our security personnel will escort you to the taxi."
"Thank you so much." Katarina bowed in gratitude, and the attendant smiled in response.
The security escorted her to the taxi, and soon, Katarina was on her way to the University. The city's vibrant energy intrigued her as she looked out the window, soaking in the unfamiliar sights.
She thought back to Brynhildur's words as she watched the city lights blur past. "As long as the morning rises, you'll find your answers."
Katarina leaned back in her seat, her mind slowly relaxing. She wasn't entirely sure what awaited her at the university, but one thing was certain—this was the beginning of a new chapter, and she was ready to face it head-on.