Harry's eyes widened at her scream. In one swift motion, he grabbed her wrist, yanked her inside, shut the door behind them, and pinned her against it. His hand covered her mouth before she could scream again.
It all happened so fast that her brain hadn't even caught up.
"Listen," he said, voice low and steady, "I'm going to take my hand off. Don't shout."
Airam, stiff with fear, nodded quickly.
The moment his hand lifted, she pushed him back with surprising strength, snatched the baseball bat leaning against the wall, and pointed it at him. "What are you doing here?!"
Harry lifted both hands in surrender, eyebrows raised. "I live here. I just rented the place."
Airam blinked. "…What?"
"You must be Airam," he added, glancing around the dusty room. "I was told you're the one to speak to if anything needs fixing." His tone dropped to a mumble as he inspected a broken tap. "Which is… a lot."
Airam stood frozen, still gripping the bat with both hands. Her safe space, her escape, has been rented out. The frustration tightened her chest.
"You mean my aunt rented this place to you? Why would she do that?" Airam asked, disbelief edging her voice.
"You should ask her. I needed a room, she offered one." He walked past her, close enough that she caught the scent of his cologne, warm, expensive. Completely out of place in this cramped rooftop room.
"Why do you need this room?" She pressed. "There are bigger, better houses in the neighborhood. Why here?"
Harry gave her a boyish smirk. "Why not? I like the room… and the huge family."
"Excuse me?" Airam blinked, confused all over again.
"You know what," he sighed, brushing her questions away, "it's late. If you can't help me fix the place, you should probably go."
Airam clenched her jaw. "Fine. I'll grab my things. I'll fix the tap tomorrow."
"Good," he replied simply.
She collected her tools, files, and the small housing models she'd been working on for months.
"Oh, that was yours?" Harry said casually. "I was about to throw it away."
Airam shot him a glare so sharp he stepped back. She didn't bother answering. She walked out, slow and controlled, though her heart pounded with irritation.
Downstairs, Aunt Maggi popped out of the hallway the moment she saw her. "You already met the new tenant? Isn't he handsome?"
Airam forced a polite hum, her lips stretching into a tired, fake smile.
"He's a student," her aunt continued, "and poor thing. He has no family. Anyway, did you pay the bills? You know we can't afford the light being cut."
"Yes, Auntie. I paid." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I'm going to bed."
She slipped away before Aunt Maggi remembered another errand.
Inside her small room, Airam scanned the limited space, searching for somewhere safe to put her project model. The kids came in and out every day they could knock it over without meaning to. This model mattered to her more than anyone knew.
She placed it gently on the bed, cleared the top of her cabinet, and moved it there. Just as she stepped back to admire the setup, three of her nieces burst into the room.
"Aunty! We want to sleep here tonight!"
Airam sighed softly, tired, but unable to say no. "Alright, come on. In you go. I'll tell you a story."
She tucked them in and started reading, her voice soft and rhythmic. The kids fell asleep halfway through the prince's adventure.
But her mind didn't stay with the story.
It wandered unwanted back to Harry. His hand wrapped around her wrist. His chest pressed against hers when he pinned her to the door. To how close he had been, how warm.
She shut the book quickly.
"What the hell…" she muttered, cheeks heating. She didn't know why thoughts of him were suddenly filling her head, but she didn't like it. Not one bit.
~~~~~~~~~~
Airam was up early, as always, cracking eggs and slicing bread. The house was still half-asleep until the sharp sound of a suitcase dragging across the floor cut through the morning quiet.
Jane and her husband Damien stepped out of their room. His suitcase was packed. Jane's eyes were already red.
"Damien, please," she begged, voice trembling. Their three daughters stood behind her, crying.
Airam froze for a second, then quickly gathered the children, pulling them close and covering their ears as much as she could.
Damien's voice rose, harsh and cowardly. "Don't you get it? I need to leave. When those debtors find me here, they'll kill me."
"And you think they won't trouble me? Or our children?" Jane's voice cracked. "Then take us with you. We'll leave together."
"I don't care what you do," he snapped. "I'm not staying. And you're not coming with me."
The children raced to grab his legs, crying for him not to go. He shoved the youngest aside. She stumbled, but Airam caught her before she hit the floor.
That was it.
"You coward!" Jane shouted, stepping in front of him.
Damien's face twisted. "How dare.."
His hand struck her across the face.
Airam's heart stopped. All these years, she had swallowed her words, endured his insults, and ignored how he treated her sister. But watching him shove his own child… hitting Jane in front of the kids…struck a nerve
Her vision flashed with anger.
"You sick bastard," Airam snapped. "If you're leaving, then leave already!"
Damien spun toward her. "Hey, Airam, don't talk to me like that. No wonder no man.."
Before he could finish, her palm connected with his cheek. Hard.
He raised his hand to hit her back, but it never landed.
Harry appeared out of nowhere, gripping Damien's wrist mid-air. His hold was strong, unmovable.
"I think you should leave," Harry said coldly.
Damien jerked free, grabbed his bag, and stormed out.
Harry turned to Jane gently, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "You're better off without a man like him," he murmured. He knelt to hug the children, whispering soft reassurances.
Everyone stared at him like he was their unexpected hero. Except for Airam.
To her, he was meddling. Inserting himself where he didn't belong. Acting like he was already part of the family.
Aunt Maggi suddenly clapped her hands together, breaking the silence. "Is the tap fixed? And the walls?"
"Yes, Aunty," Harry replied. "I fixed them this morning." He threw a glance at Airam.
"Wonderful! You can fix our bathroom tap too. It's been leaking for months."
"Sure, I can..."
"We already called the plumber." Airam grabbed Harry's arm and guided him toward the door with an icy smile. "You have class, right? You should go."
Harry blinked. "I was just trying to help. What's your problem?"
"No one asked for your help. Stop meddling in other people's business. It's my family, my problems, and I will handle them." She shut the door in his face before he could reply.
Inside, she pulled the kids close, helping them get dressed while Laila and their mother comforted Jane. Laila's husband had left years ago to find money… and never returned.
Airam walked the kids to the school bus. When it drove off, she headed to the bus stop.
Harry was standing there too, his backpack slung over one shoulder, looking a little lost.
"The bus comes at 7:45 every morning," Airam said dryly, not looking at him. "It'll be here soon."
He stared at her for a long moment. "Why are you so hateful?