Days passed, and Asha tried to forget the night she had warned her boss. Marina hadn't returned to work since then. Jane mentioned something about a family matter that needed Marina's attention, and Asha didn't ask further.
That same night, after she'd told Marina about her death, Asha had suffered one of her episodes. Her body writhed in pain, sweat soaking her sheets as if she were burning from the inside out. It was always the same. Every time she interfered with someone's fate—every time she warned a person of their death—she paid a price.
The pain was unbearable, like invisible hands clawing at her bones. At first, she tried to endure it, to fight it, but the agony became too much. So she wore the mask—to dull the scent, to resist temptation, to protect herself from what she could smell but could never truly change.
"Miss, what's this dog's name?"
A small voice pulled Asha from her thoughts. She looked down to see a little girl in a floral dress, her hair tied into two buns, staring at a tiny white Maltese hiding in the corner.
"That's Nibi," Asha said softly, crouching down so her eyes met the child's.
"Nibi... I like it," the girl murmured. "But why is she hiding from me? Is she scared?"
Asha smiled behind her mask. "Nibi's just shy, that's all. She's not scared of you."
The girl studied Asha for a moment, then tilted her head. "She's shy like you. You wear a mask like Nibi's fur."
Asha blinked, surprised. Then chuckled softly. "Maybe we're both just a little quiet."
The girl leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I like shy people. They have secrets."
Asha's eyes softened. She glanced at Nibi, then back at the girl. "Let me tell you a secret," she said, lowering her voice. "Nibi is a very loyal dog. She doesn't trust easily, but when she does... she never leaves your side."
The little girl's eyes lit up. "Then can I keep her?"
Before Asha could answer, the door chimed. A woman in her late thirties walked in, slipping her phone into her handbag as she approached.
"Darling, have you picked one?" she asked, smiling warmly.
"I want Nibi!" the girl said, jumping in excitement.
The woman glanced at Asha and nodded. "We'll take that one."
Asha watched as the little girl scooped Nibi into her arms, whispering something only the dog could hear. And for a moment, Asha felt seen—not just as the quiet one in the corner, but as someone who, like Nibi, might be shy... but loyal.
Asha bowed slightly, cradling the small Maltese in her arms. Nibi nuzzled against her chest as if saying goodbye. Asha handed the puppy over, and the mother and daughter left together—two becoming three.
"Hey... that woman looks familiar," Jane muttered, watching them leave.
"Hasn't she been here before?" Asha asked.
Jane shook her head. "Not here... but somewhere. I just can't remember where."
Asha didn't pay it much mind and continued her work. A few moments later, Jane handed her a folded list. "Can you drop this off at Mr. Jason's place?"
Asha frowned. "I don't like going there."
Jane laughed. "Mr. Jason's a nice guy. Why do you hate him so much?"
"He's weird," Asha mumbled.
Jane arched an eyebrow. "You're calling him weird?" she teased. Asha shot her a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
Jason owned a restaurant a few blocks away. To most, he was charming and friendly—but to Asha, he was insufferable. He loved to tease her about her mask, something she had no patience for.
"Look who's here!" a familiar voice called as Asha approached the restaurant. Jason stepped out of his car, grinning. "Little Batman! Spider-Man! Ironman! Maskman!" He laughed, slinging an arm over her shoulder.
Asha glared at him, shoved his arm away, and stomped on his foot.
"Ow! Fierce as ever," Jason chuckled, rubbing his shoe as Asha walked past him into the restaurant.
She turned and handed him the folded list. "What's this for?" he called after her. But she didn't answer. She just kept walking, ignoring his laughter echoing behind her.
Asha kicked at the pebbles along the road, her steps slow, cursing Jason in her thoughts. One stone bounced off a parked car, and her heart nearly stopped. She crouched, checking for scratches—thankfully, there were none.
She sighed, brushing dust from her fingers, and continued walking.
Then she saw them.
A few meters ahead, the little girl from earlier stood on tiptoe, waving with both hands. "Daddy!" she called, voice bright and full of joy.
The man turned—and Asha froze.
It was Matt.
Marina's fiancé.
The woman from earlier—the one who'd adopted Nibi—ran up beside the girl, her smile soft and familiar. Matt bent down, arms wide, and pulled them both into a warm embrace. He laughed, the sound light and easy, like it belonged to someone who had never lied.
Asha's breath caught.
She stood still, half-shadowed by a tree, watching the scene unfold like a painting she wasn't meant to see. The little girl clung to his leg. The woman kissed his cheek. Matt kissed her back.
Asha's heart dropped—not with drama, but with quiet dread.
Now, watching Matt laugh with another family, Asha understood something deeper than betrayal.
She didn't remember how she got back to the shop.
The bell above the door chimed softly as she entered, the familiar scent of dog shampoo and warm wood doing little to settle her nerves.
Jane looked up from the counter, brows lifting. "How did it go?" she asked, noticing Asha's empty hands. "Eh? Where's the food?"
Asha didn't answer right away. Her voice came low, distant. "I saw her."
Jane blinked. "Who?" She snapped her fingers in front of Asha's face. "Hey—earth to Asha."
"The woman from earlier," Asha said, reaching for her tumbler and taking a slow sip of water. "The one who adopted Nibi. I saw her again."
Jane's eyes lit up, curiosity sparking. "I knew it! I've seen her somewhere too. Wait—she was at the restaurant where we celebrated our boss's engagement!" She paused mid-thought, frowning. "But you weren't there any longer around that time, so how did—"
She stopped. Her eyes widened. She turned toward Asha, pointing slowly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Wait. Don't tell me..."
"She's with Matt," Asha said quietly.
Jane gasped. "Ah!" Her hand flew to her mouth. "That's where I saw her! She was hugging him that night!" Her voice trembled—part disbelief, part guilt.
The air between them grew heavy, thick with the weight of something neither of them wanted to name.
Jane sank into the nearest chair, her hands limp in her lap. "How could this be? What should we do?"
Asha looked away, her fingers tightening around her tumbler.
"I don't know," she whispered.