After they emerged from the mountain region... the road began to change gradually. The rugged rocks vanished, replaced by a paved street stretching quietly under the moonlight.
Irina said, looking ahead:
— We will arrive in ten minutes.
Ahmed replied: — Alright...
But his voice was distant. He was riding his motorcycle, but his mind wasn't on the road.
"I suffered so much on that path..."
"And now... I'm out of it in minutes..."
He smiled with faint irony:
"I own a motorcycle... and she owns an easier way..."
Then he fell silent. He looked at the two rings on his hand... even if just for a moment.
💍💍
He gripped the handlebars tightly.
"What do I do now...?"
"Two fiancées... and one heart..."
He said suddenly:
— Irina... let's go to the nearest supermarket... I want to eat something hot.
She looked at him in surprise:
— Your bag is full of food... why the waste?
He said calmly:
— It's not waste... I just want something... to make me feel okay.
She went silent for a bit... then didn't answer.
After moments, Ahmed said:
— My fiancée has come here... what are we going to do?
Irina's face changed slightly... then she said coldly:
— You will talk to her... and convince her that I am to be your fiancée.
Then she added in a more dangerous tone:
— And if you don't... I will make you see hell.
Silence prevailed. Ahmed swallowed hard... but he didn't argue.
— Alright...
Then he asked: — Do you think there are empty rooms?
She said: — We'll see... we'll arrive after this turn.
They approached the house... the lights were dim... and the neighborhood was drowned in the silence of the night.
Irina said suddenly: — I don't want anyone to know.
Ahmed replied immediately: — I don't want my father to worry more... you know what happened.
She sighed... then said with a slight coldness: — Fine.
They turned. The house appeared. The car stopped... and Ahmed stopped beside it. He looked at the door... then at the window... everything was quiet.
"Is everyone asleep...?"
"Or is the disaster waiting behind this door...?"
Ahmed stepped forward slowly... raised his hand... then—he knocked on the door quietly.
Seconds passed... long... heavy...
He looked behind him... Irina was standing there, but her eyes were filled with something new: Anxiety.
He knocked again.
Then... the door opened. His father appeared.
— Father...
Ahmed didn't wait... he approached quickly and embraced him.
— I'm sorry, Father... I worried you.
The father replied, patting his back: — Thank God for your safety...
Irina stood there, then said quietly: — I... apologize.
The father looked at her for a long time, then said:
— You apologize... after what you did?
She went silent.
Then he said in a softer tone: — I forgive you... but do not repeat this foolishness.
She nodded: — Fine...
The father said: — Come in... rest. And tomorrow... I will hear everything.
Then he added: — In detail.
Ahmed felt something cold pass through him.
"The peace is over..."
They entered the house... quietly... as if they didn't want to wake anyone.
Irina said in a low voice: — All the rooms are full... we will sleep in the garage.
Ahmed looked at her: — Will you prepare everything?
— Everything is ready.
She headed to the garage and turned on a dim light. Ahmed entered and closed the door behind him. The silence... returned once more.
Irina looked at him... with a different gaze... calmer... but deeper.
She said quietly: — Come... sleep beside me.
Ahmed stopped. He looked at her... then said:
— I will sleep alone.
Her features changed immediately: — Why...? You are my fiancé.
He replied calmly: — Yes... your fiancé... not your husband.
Silence. Her gaze shifted into something between anger... and sadness.
— Fine.
Silence hung between them... heavy seconds... then Ahmed sighed and said quietly:
— Just this once...
She lifted her eyes to him... a glimmer of joy appeared despite her exhaustion.
They slept... on the same bed... but—with a small distance between them.
Ahmed was lying there... staring at the ceiling.
"Misaki..."
He closed his eyes... but he didn't feel at peace.
"Tomorrow... everything... will be revealed."
And on the other side... Irina was watching him... in silence... as if she were afraid he would vanish if she closed her eyes.