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In a modern building, the quiet was broken by the soft whir of wheels rolling over the polished floor.
A girl came into view — beautiful, yet with an ordinary face. Her eyes were a strange, murky shade, as if they held secrets no one had guessed. Straight bangs fell just to her lashes, partly shadowing her gaze. She wore a crisp white shirt tucked into black trousers, and her dark hair, long enough to brush her waist, swung behind her as she ran.
Her pace was fast, urgent — and someone was calling her.
"Ms. Mahdiyah!"
She turned slightly to see her boss striding toward her. His tone was sharp.
"Do you know that today I had to get a scolding because of you? And if I'm counting right, since you joined this job, this is the fourth time."
Mahdiyah gave a faint, careless smile.
"Okay, fine. No problem. Sorry."
And without waiting for a reply, she turned away, her footsteps fading inLater, Jahangir sat in the office canteen. On one side of the table, Mahdiyah was seated with her best colleague — and also her friend — Rose. On the opposite side, Jahangir pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Hey, Mahdiyah," he began, "you were late again today. You know, I barely escaped Baba's scolding. And you never say anything — you just let me take it all. Then I start thinking to myself, 'I'm already useless… whatever, whatever.'"
He leaned back slightly. "So, what's the plan for this evening?"
Mahdiyah closed her eyes briefly. "No plan for today. We'll see tomorrow."
The conversation drifted into lighter topics. Rose and Jahangir talked casually, though Rose kept glancing at him every now and then.
When the workday ended, Mahdiyah slung her bag over her arm and stepped out of the building. Walking down the street, she recorded a quick voice note to Jahangir:
> "We do have a plan for the evening. We're going shopping — me and Hidayat. If you want, you can join us. Actually, you're badly needed, because Hidayat's birthday is coming up and we want to keep it a surprise. You have no choice — you have to come. Okay, bye."
On the other side of town, Jahangir was mid-conversation with someone when he noticed the voice note from Mahdiyah. He played it, then replied with his own:
> "What do you mean? You said in front of Rose that you're not going anywhere. Now what's this?"
Mahdiyah's reply came quickly:
> "Because Rose was sitting there, and I don't like it when she feels left out. You know she's just shifted here, and she doesn't have anyone except us. It would've been awkward if we made plans without her."
Jahangir's voice note returned, half-frustrated:
> "You should've just said it in front of her."
Mahdiyah sighed and recorded her last reply:
> "I would have, but if she came along, it would be awkward for Hidayat. We both know each other, but Hidayat doesn't know her at all. I didn't want to create any awkwardness, so I liOn the other hand, in the past, the man who had clasped her hand in the shop lit by dim, dark lamps slowly removed the mask from his face and began speaking to her—his gaze fixed on her. Noor, too, kept staring at him.
What was this?
For a moment, his eyes shifted to Noor. She asked softly, "What happened? Why are you silent? Why don't you speak?"
Noor, in a low voice, replied, "Will you leave me alone?"
She looked at him carefully. His expression and demeanor seemed troubled. She said, "Alright, no problem."
Noor appeared hesitant. Then he said, "No… actually, it's a little late." That's why he led her to the corner of a narrow street.
"Okay, you can go," he said.
"No, it's dark. Please drop me at my door," she requested.
"Alright, I'll come to your door. I'm not a servant, after all," he replied lightly. "No problem."
He walked her to her door, and as soon as she stepped inside, her eyes searched for him with a troubled look. She moved further inside, towards a room whose door stood slightly open.
She stepped in.
And in the next instant, something struck her head—hard. Darkness spread across her vision, swallowing everything until she could see nothing.ed — and it saved a lot of trouble."to the distance.