She only asked for his presence. In a world that felt unfamiliar, he was the only face without questions. The first hand that reached out without reason. And that, somehow, meant more than love itself.
~~~~~
"Maybe some time passed… We met on your way to college, three months ago." Ahmaya tries to face him. She's devastated. How could he forget me?
"I told you....I don't know you. I am sorry," he says and walks away without looking back.
Ahmaya stands frozen, her heart filled with disbelief.
"What happened? Did you talk to him?" Ayani rushes over, eyes darting between Ahmaya and Kitbok's fading figure.
"He said…" Ahmaya breathes hard, trying to find the words. "He doesn't remember me."
"What? Only three months and he has forgotten your face?" Ayani frowns, stunned.
Before Ayani can say more, Ahmaya turns and storms after him. She grabs his wrist, her voice shaking with anger. "Don't lie. I know you remember me."
Kitbok gently pulls away. "Let me go."
"You are doing this because I disappeared, aren't you?" she pleads.
He glances around, voice low. "Meet me at four, By the lake."
.
The sky turns orange as Ahmaya waits by the river, her heart pounding. Fear and hope twist inside her as she plans what to say—how to explain the impossible.
Then, she sees him.
Ahmaya steps forward, takes his hands. "Listen.."
But Kitbok quickly pulls away. "It is better if we stay away from each other."
"Why?" she asks, barely hiding her hurt.
"I am getting married. It's best if we keep our distance."
Her heart shatters. Silence follows. Then, a bitter smile plays on her lips. "That's good. Do you like the girl?"
"My parents do. That's what matters. I should go."
"Wait. I know you're getting married, but we could still be… friends."
"Friends? I'm sorry, but we can't. I don't know what kind of world you live in, but things don't work like that here."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Nothing. Just… go back to wherever you were for the last three months." His words are sharp.
"I didn't leave on purpose. I was kidnapped... It's a long story, but the point is, I apologise. I understand you don't want to see my face because you are getting married, but..."
"I'm sorry," he says again, quieter now. "But this can't go on. Rupomoi has the wrong idea about you. If we keep meeting, it will only damage your name. It's better if you avoid me."
Ahmaya's voice trembles. "So you do care about me?"
"I did. I…..I liked you. But this is how it has to be." Kitbok murmurs, looking directly into her eyes.
A flicker of joy rises in Ahmaya's heart—only to dissolve into ache.
"You… liked me?" She pauses.
"Do you even want to marry her?"
Kitbok smirks. "It's not about what I want. If my parents choose her, I marry her. That's how it works."
"Have you even seen her?"
"Why would I? My parents did. That's enough."
Ahmaya lets out a bitter laugh. "I can't deal with the people of 1935," she mutters.
"What's so funny?"
"All of this."
I'm not here to mess up your life, I don't want to. Please stay by my side," she says, her voice softening. I know you want that too. I see it in your eyes."
"You're reading them wrong," he replies. "This conversation's over. I need to go."
He notices she is wearing the same Gho and Kira the last time he saw her, three months back. The wind is cold. It is mid-January. And she is visibly shivering. Without another word, he takes off his coat and put it over her shoulders.
"I don't need this," Ahmaya replies, brushing his hand away.
"Don't you see the weather?" he scolds gently. "At least wear something warm next time."
He keeps looking at her—remembering what she said earlier about being kidnapped. The thought unsettles him. Was she really kidnapped? What did she go through? Was she safe? These questions swirl in his mind, but he pushes them away.
"You know this is wrong," she says softly. Her voice cracks. "Don't do this to me. You are the only normal…..human, I can talk to here."
He see the tears on her face. Without thinking, he reaches up and softly wipes them away.
"I searched for you everywhere" he says. "I went mad wondering where you'd gone. Then… I thought maybe you'd found whatever place you were looking for."
"I'm sorry," Ahmaya speaks. "Some man kidnapped me… took me somewhere strange. I didn't know how to come back."
His eyes widen. "Who was this man? Are you okay? Did something happen to you? What kind of place was it?" His questions pour out, anxious and fast.
"Calm down," she says. "I'm okay now. Really."
Relief flashes in his eyes. "I'm sorry if I was rude earlier. My parents would not forgive me if they found out that I liked a girl—especially one whom they did not choose. And if people found out, they would shame you. They'd say you must have done something to attract a rich man, that you tricked me somehow. That's just how it is here. It's better if we stay away from each other."
"You can't look into it," she says, stepping back with finality.
Then, with steady eyes and a quiet, unwavering tone, she adds, "I don't care what your parents think or what people say. None of it matters to me…"
Kitbok stays silent.
She turns away, furious and hurt.
"Wait," he calls out. "At least tell me where you are going."
She doesn't answer and walks off.
Hidden among the trees, Ayani lies across a thick branch, watching everything unfold. She's seen enough.
Ahmaya walks blindly, lost in thought, tears clinging to her lashes.
Then Ayani drops down from the tree and falls in step beside her.
"Hi. Whose coat is that?" Ayani asks casually.
Ahmaya startles. "Hii… What are you doing here?"
"I was looking for you. Where are you going?"
"I don't know," she answers honestly. "I can't find my path."
Ayani smiles. "That happens when we're young. Come home, freshen up. We need to figure out why you're here."
.
Now back at Ayani's place, the two sit close, the comfort of walls around them doing little to ease the tension between could've been and what must be.
"You may be an Aokma, but you're not like me," Ayani says seriously. "There's something powerful inside you. Maybe it's what brought you here. But power without control is dangerous. Tomorrow, your training begins."
"Training?" Ahmaya groans. "Do I have to?"
"Yes, you do. But tonight, rest. You've been through enough."
She pauses, then grins. "By the way… What's the story with that boy?"
"Kitbok?" Ahmaya sighs. "Nothing. He was the first person I met here. He helped me a lot."
"And?" Ayani teases.
"And… he's a nice person."
"And?" Ayani presses again.
Ahmaya hesitates. "I don't know. I've never felt this way before. Maybe I like him… maybe I need him. We barely spent time together, but it felt like something deep was forming. I feel connected to him."
Ayani's face turns solemn. "You know this can't end well. You have to go back."
"I know," Ahmaya whispers. " I don't want him to be my lover because it will be hurtful when I leave. Maybe I am being selfish, but I want to spend my time with him till I am here, he is the best thing that has happened to me here, and I want to carry him as my best memory."
She's not sure what this emotion is, but she knows she's longing for him.
"I warn you, it'll be too hard on both of you. I don't know about 2025, but people here have extremely limited tolerance," Ayani cautions again.
Ayani feels a quiet sadness for them. She overheard their conversation and has seen Kitbok's concern on the lake. She knows he cares deeply. And she can see the longing in Ahmaya's eyes. But she also knows—this love isn't going to be easy.