In that morning, they faced the truth as the sun's laughter slowly faded: they decided to leave their small town that had embraced them. Now, as departure time neared, they bid farewell to that small world to embrace "Izora"—or as the residents call it: "Night Sky"—the city of glowing jewels that awaited them with its shimmering lights and endless promises.
The taxi slowly pulled over to the damp pavement, its front tire letting out a faint screech as it touched the polished marble.
Eileen raised her head in astonishment, her gaze gradually ascending the facade of the glass tower that seemed to pierce the clouds… The sun's rays reflected off its blue windows, glittering like scattered stars.
Eileen (in a surprised voice, full of life):
"Wow… Are we going to live here?!"
She dashed like a child set free from the shackles of boredom, running lightly towards the front garden, her heels tapping on the ground like a rapid piano melody. She stopped in front of the main gate, where a dark glass revolving door slowly turned, surrounded by artificial palm trees whose leaves gleamed from a subtle, hidden irrigation system.
Eileen (in a theatrical voice, opening her arms):
"Welcome, ladies, to Arcadia Vaulte, where luxury touches imagination!"
Then she quickly turned to Rina, waving her phone:
"Rina! Take a picture of me here. This moment will set social media ablaze… I'll make all my old friends regret leaving me!"
The mother, who was pulling a two-wheeled suitcase, stopped beside them, sighing.
Mother (with a tired smile):
"Eileen, enough yelling… You've exhausted me. Come on, let's go up."
Sira approached with quiet steps, her eyes scanning the place as if trying to believe what she saw. Black floors gleamed like a still lake, white columns adorned with helical lamps pulsed with a soft golden light, and a gentle classical music sound wafted from inside.
Sira (whispering):
"Why did we move here? And… do each of us have a private room?"
Mother (pressing the elevator button):
"Of course, this is only temporary. Eileen will finish her bachelor's degree soon, and I can't leave her alone in university housing. As you know, this girl of yours flies more than she walks…"
Rina chuckled softly:
"So, protection from university disasters… A wise decision."
Sira (with a sidelong smile):
"Amazing… I'll start looking for a new job tomorrow."
Rina (nudging her with her elbow):
"A new pharmacy? Didn't you say you intended to change?"
Sira (with a light laugh):
"I did… But the salary is irresistible. I'll stay in the field temporarily. I have something new I want to study, so I'll save money first."
Rina (curiously):
"Something new? And what will it be?"
Sara (entering the elevator and looking in the mirror):
"When the time comes, I'll tell you. For now, take care of your fiancé and train your fingers… Phone sport can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome!"
Rina (laughing):
"You're rude…"
Sira (playfully, pressing the top floor button):
"Confident. If Mom reaches the suite before us and doesn't find us… you know the consequences."
The elevator doors closed smoothly, and it ascended, their faces reflected in the mirrors.
The elevator chimed softly, then the door opened to a corridor carpeted in light beige, dimly lit by elegant wall sconces resembling flower petals.
Eileen stepped out first, her eyes darting around as if exploring a secret palace.
The mother came forward and took her electronic entry card from her bag, swiping it in front of the door with the number: 8706.
Cool, perfumed air rushed towards them, like a gentle breeze laden with the scent of jasmine.
They entered one after another into a spacious hall with glass walls on three sides, revealing a view of the illuminated city below them. The towers sparkled like suspended glass flakes, and the shimmering street beneath them looked like a necklace of stars.
The suite's dark polished wooden floor reflected the ceiling lights with a silky sheen. To the right, a spacious living room with light ash velvet sofas and a transparent coffee table topped with a glass bowl filled with colorful crystals. To the left, an open kitchen with a gleaming marble countertop.
Eileen (running towards the sofa and jumping on it):
"Oh my god! Are we in a drama? I want to stay here forever!"
Rina started moving between the doors as if in a treasure hunt:
Rina (counting quickly):
"One… two… three… four bedrooms? And each with its own bathroom?! But… wait, there's one room with a circular balcony!"
She opened the door to that room, and sunlight poured in from the glass balcony as if it were a gateway to an upper world. The sheer curtains moved gently, as if the room was breathing.
Rina (louder, turning to the others):
"Of course… besides the balcony, the room itself is larger than the rest—"
Mother (interrupting firmly, placing the suitcase on a side table):
"Hold on! Hold on! I know those looks. No screaming, no hair-pulling. We'll settle it by drawing lots."
She took a small piece of paper from a notepad, cut it into three equal pieces, and wrote the girls' names one by one. She folded them carefully, then placed them in a small hat that was passed from hand to hand.
Mother (pointing to Rina):
"Come on, you start."
Rina pulled out a paper, then shuffled again. Three times… And each time, the same result:
Mother (raising the paper with a smile):
"Sira. Your luck is high today."
Rina (with a wink and raised eyebrows):
"Bad… her luck!"
Eileen (lifting Becky the cat high and spinning him around):
"But the house is amazing, right, Becky? Don't you see this ceiling?"
Mother (in the voice of a mother trying to maintain order amidst playful chaos):
"First… feed the cats. Then prepare your belongings and rooms. After that, arrange your things. I'll make something for us to eat, and by the time I return, I expect everything to be in its place. Understood?"
Eileen (stomping her foot like a soldier in training):
"Yes, Captain! We're moving out now!"
Sira opens a small bag filled with cat food and begins to call out in a warm voice:
"Emma… Itachi… Becky… Dinner time, come."
The cats appeared one by one, as if they understood the commands well. Emma walked gracefully like a queen, Itachi yawned and contemplated the new place, and Becky… jumped like a rabbit, bringing a light laugh from Eileen.
[A brief moment of silence hangs over the place, everyone busy, but nostalgia is present]
The mother stands at the balcony, looking at the horizon, then whispers as if talking to herself:
"Since your father left… we've become more attached to each other."
Sira raised her head, and her eyes met her mother's. They said nothing, but a small glance was enough to tell everything.
After a long, tiring day, everyone retreated to their rooms for rest. High up on her semicircular balcony, Sara stood alone, breathing in the gentle night breeze. She wore headphones, a soft melody seeping through them, mingling with the whispers of the wind, while her three cats slept peacefully on the large bed.
Her deep brown eyes reflected the twinkling lights, as if the entire city was mirrored within them. The city skyline before her was a fantastical painting: scattered lights like jewels, towering buildings, and a sky adorned with small crystal spheres… stars shining calmly.
Suddenly… the silence of the moment was broken by a faint sound from the adjacent balcony.
A young man stood on the neighboring balcony, leaning against its cool glass, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, eating pink strawberry ice cream. His black, bluish hair fell across his forehead, lightly caressed by the breeze. His eyes were strange: a mix of sky blue and night black, their gleam a bright blue, and small black earrings sparkled in his ears like silent embers.
He seemed to belong to a different world, detached from all the noise of this life.
Sira stood stunned, a strange stillness settling on her features, and her face began to flush. Something about him drew her in… every detail captivated her.
The breeze scattered strands of her hair, but she didn't notice. She just stared. Then she whispered to herself:
Sira (thinking):
"I'm sure… I've seen him before… but where?"
A magical moment was cut short by a young man's shout from inside:
Voice:
"Aiden!"
Another young man ran to the balcony, calling to his friend with an enthusiastic tone:
"Aren't you going to watch the match?"
Aiden (boredly):
"You watch it… I hate soccer games."
Young man:
"Come on, stop being gloomy and come!"
Sira remained in place, staring, breathing slowly, as if afraid to break that image.
In the morning, the scent of fresh coffee wafted through the house, filling the air with a comforting warmth. In the kitchen, the mother was preparing breakfast as she began to call out to her daughters.
Mother (loudly):
"Come on, girls! It's morning, coffee's ready!"
Eileen entered quickly, putting on her backpack.
Eileen:
"I'm going to the institute, I don't have time!"
Mother (turning to her):
"Stop for a moment, come here… Let me see."
Eileen (lightly grumbling):
"It's just chocolate-colored lipstick… It doesn't even show."
Rina (passing by, putting on an earring):
"Mom, I'm going to university… And by the way, Sira, you need to find a boyfriend quickly."
Sira (from behind her coffee cup):
"Huh?"
Rina (laughing, pointing to Eileen):
"Because your little sister here will make it difficult for everyone!"
Sira (with a sarcastic smile):
"First I need to find a job, then we'll talk about love, and fantasy, and all that nonsense."
Everyone laughed, then the girls left one by one.
Sira exited, carrying a small backpack, and stopped at the elevator door… But she didn't press the button. She stood for a moment, as if a scene from last night had crept into her mind…
The young man's face… his hair… his voice… his eyes.
She closed her eyes for a moment, then suddenly turned and changed her direction. Her steps led her to the door of the neighboring apartment. She stood before it… her heart beating slowly, but heavily.
She raised her hand hesitantly… Then stopped.
Sira (thinking):
"Should I knock…?"