Not far from the FRI building, around 20 mins walk, the living area was located there. They provided sufficient accommodations for researchers and visitors, houses, apartments, a school, a park etc. Everything one would need for living comfortably. Down the road, one found the island's downtown, where harbor, and shops were located. By walking through the area, Dianne found the freshness from the tree mixing with the wind breezes. A sensation that she had not experienced when she was at the mainland.
Apartment Block C stood ahead, its brick facade softened by flowering vines. Her room was on the second floor, greeted her with an open door, her luggage neatly stacked inside, delivered as promised. The apartment was vast for one: fully furnished, with a built-in kitchen, bathroom, living area, and two bedrooms, spacious enough for a family. The hardwood floor gleamed, freshly cleaned, as if someone had prepared it just for her. The institute spares no expense, Dianne thought, marveling at the generosity, her curiosity as an engineer noting the precision of the design. She glanced at her watch—2:15 PM. The day's whirlwind—ferry, tour, canteen—settled into her bones, but the apartment's stillness was a new challenge, urging her to adapt. She sank onto the floor, back against a suitcase, picturing Markus's warm smile, his bold voice a beacon in her loneliness.
She carried a suitcase to the main bedroom, where a double bed with soft linens anchored the space, joined by a wardrobe. The room's size felt generous, almost too large for her alone.
Markus'd love this bed, she thought, unpacking her clothes—button-ups, jeans, a few dresses for the party.
Her books on AI algorithms found a home on the nightstand, their worn covers a piece of her old life. In the second bedroom, smaller but equally pristine, she arranged her work tools: a laptop, motion sensors, notebooks filled with equations. The bare walls seemed to wait for her touch, a canvas for her new chapter. Her watch ticked to 3:00 PM, the act of unpacking grounding her, like calibrating a system to fit its environment.
The kitchen beckoned next, its modern setup a stark upgrade from her mainland rentals: oven, electric stove, microwave, a counter bar with four stools, and a dining table with matching chairs. She opened the fridge—empty, as expected, its hum a quiet reminder of her new start.
Dianne still has two hours remaining before a daily video call with Markus at 6:00 PM. She touched her ring, imagining his bald head, his laughter.
What's he doing now? The thought was warm, his support a reward for her courage to join Granitz, though his subtle push—Make me proud—lingered, urging her to shine.
"I need supplies," Dianne thought.
She changed into a white shirt, sports bra, and shorts, the casual attire a small freedom after the institute's formality. The 15-minute walk to downtown was a sensory delight: shops with hand-painted signs, a bakery wafting cinnamon and vanilla, the harbor's salty tang blending with the breeze. Locals nodded politely, their smiles welcoming yet reserved, like her engineering team's cautious warmth. She bought avocados, tortillas, olive oil, and spices, the shopkeeper's chatter about island life a brief connection. Granitz rewarded her exploration with charm, but its isolation pressed gently, like a system nudging her to belong. Back at the apartment by 5:00 PM, she felt more anchored, the groceries a step toward making the space hers.
In the kitchen, Dianne made guacamole and tortillas, her favorite, which soothing her nerves. The counter bar became her dining spot.
It was 18:00 PM. Dianne had been changed into casual clothes, a t-shirt, with a sports bra, and shorts. A calling notification was sent to her tablet. Dianne had just finished cooking dinner. Her first dinner here was a guacamole with tortilla, her favorite. She pressed the call, her tablet screen brightened up, displaying a mature man, bald, Markus – her husband was waiting.
"Hello, honey" he greeted.
"Hello, dear," She replied.
"Look what you have for your first dinner! Guacamole!" he said with a big smile. Dianne nods and laughs while having a bite of it.
"How is your first day?" he asked.
" It was so delightful, dear, the island, the city, they are amazing, it was very calm and quiet here. I hope we can see them together." she replied with a brightful tone.
"Super! How about institute?" he continued
" It seems okay, dear, colleagues are nice to me. Elena, she is my guide today, showed me a lot of things in the institute." she answered.
"I met the acting chief of the institute today too" she continued
"Acting chief?" he questioned.
"Yeah, his name is Pierre Therma. young, and friendly." she said, try to recall a short moment with Pierre. " He sounds … nice" he said.
" I think Elena likes him," she whispered. Then Markus laughed, as did Dianne.
" But don't worry dear, my heart is always on you" she eased Markus. He smiled. The two continue to exchange their words, until Dianne finishes her dinner.
"You are so sweet dear, what about your day at the army?" Dianne asked.
"Same, honey, we got a few alerts from radar but nothing happened. Your life is safe" he answered boldly with a smile. Once he saw Dianne finished her last bite, he cough one time,
"You must be exhausted," Markus said, his voice gentler, eyes warm. "Rest, honey." He smiled, waving, his care a final reward for her day.
Fatigue overtook her, the call fading as she drifted off, tablet dimming. Quietness took over the room. She was filled with happiness seeing her husband. Rolling over her married ring. After enjoying her moment, she grabbed the plate, washed it, then showered, and finally laid down on her bed, thinking about her husband. He must be very tired from his navy tasks but still cheered her up. He was so kind in contrast to his tough look. Sometimes, his requests were too demanding but they were incomparable to the love he gave to her. While letting her thoughts far away, Dianne fell asleep.