***
A place filled with light colours, baby pink and cute yellows. Every item in this store resembled a little girl's joy. A place only designated for females.
Thus, why were a pair of men locking eyes with another man, accompanied by two familiar-looking women beside him?
A very awkward and bewildering sight.
"Why?..."
Haider questioned while squinting his eyes, a small stuffed toy in his hands.
Zayne had his arms around Yusuf's shoulders, and they stood frozen, staring at Haider.
"Fancy seeing you people here, haha."
Naima stepped forward from behind, trying to erase the awkward air.
"Who knew we would run into them while gift hunting."
A short woman also voiced out, but her demeanour seemed to hold some sort of hidden happiness and relief.
"Ireen, Naima and Haider? What about Ariya?"
Zayne questioned after his surprise had melted away.
"That..."
The three of them shared a glance, not understanding how to explain.
"What!? Ariya's birthday is tomorrow! Wah-"
"Shut up! You are disturbing the customers."
Yusuf lectured after giving Zayne a good blow, causing him to lose his footing.
Zayne rubbed the side of his head and glared at Yusuf.
"Why did you hit me!? I was only saying the truth!"
"Keep your voice down while you are at it!"
Zayne's voice immediately lowered, his expression suddenly turning sulky.
Yusuf remained silent, his gaze shifting between them.
"Ariya's birthday?"
Naima nodded.
Then his gaze returned to Haider, and he stared... for a long time, taking his leisure to judge the married man.
Haider scoffed, a mocking expression clear on his face, and pulled on Zayne's arm.
"Let's not disturb the married man. They have serious matters to attend to."
"Hey, wait! I need to get a gift too-"
Zayne tried to protest, but someone else did on his behalf.
"Wait!"
Yusuf stopped.
Ireen gulped and eyed Haider before coming up with a reason.
"Haven't you invited them for tomorrow?"
"Oh- I forgot. You both are invited."
"I'm busy."
"I know that you are not."
"Tsk..."
Yusuf rolled his eyes and gave up, while Zayne couldn't hide his excitement.
Yusuf glanced at Ireen, and their eyes locked. He almost scowled at her.
Instantly, her heart broke. This was the last impression she wanted to make on him. She was just too happy to cross paths with him again, and the only way to prevent him from leaving so early was this.
Her affection was an exercise in pure, selfless endurance. It lived in the space between what she felt and what she allowed herself to say.
To be looked at by the person she was interested in was heart-rendering.
"Ireen, you are bleeding!"
Naima exclaimed, her expression immediately changing into worry.
Ireen followed her friend's gaze and noticed the straps of her heel tainted with a red hue.
Yet, that wasn't the most concerning thing at the moment. She stole another glance at him. He was also staring at her knee with an expressionless face.
She could feel her throat drying out. It was once again one of those unfulfilling days, the kind where you feel empty and slowly lose your spark.
She smiled, but it was woven with sadness and melancholy.
"I should head back for today."
"Uh-uh, so suddenly?" Haider asked with concern.
She nodded and turned back, not even offering a proper goodbye.
The group watched her walk away, yet not a single one of them could grasp the sorrow she carried.
They came up with reasons without her consent.
Maybe she felt tired after the long day, but she was the most energetic one amongst the three girls.
Perhaps she remembered meeting an acquaintance, but she had mentioned that she was available all day.
Gradually, they became distracted and returned to their task without thinking twice about her own reasons.
Ireen strode along the streets, the passing people carrying happy grins. Their emotions were a stark contradiction to hers.
She felt alone, secluded and like an outcast.
History had repeated itself once more. She was the one left with an unrequited love.
She became an expert at grieving in real time, swallowing the sharp little heartbreaks of daily life so smoothly that no one ever caught her flinching.
There was a profound, quiet dignity in how she carried it. She did not brood in bitterness nor resent her past fancy.
She simply bottled it up, buried it deep within herself and never let it out.
She is Eirene.
Peaceful on the surface, quietly enduring whatever storms raged beneath.
Yet she was also Nocturne.
A version of herself that only existed when everyone turned a blind eye.
She took a seat in a secluded area, with nothing but greenery in sight. It was a popular place during the early mornings for people walking their neighbourhood dogs.
Aside from that time, not a soul would pass through these parts.
It was a place where she discovered herself, back when a day similar to this had occurred.