The cab halted in front of the familiar building — tall, grey, with vines crawling up one side and a big rusted gate. Zoya sat frozen, staring at it through the window like it was something out of a dream. It had only been a few weeks, but it felt like she was returning after years.

Aarfa jumped out first and turned around, eyes wide with excitement. “Come on, baby! You’re home!”

Home.

That one word made Zoya's throat tighten. Slowly, she stepped out, her fingers tightening around the handle of her small bag — the only luggage she had been allowed to sneak out with.

They walked up the stairs together. Akif was walking silently beside her. He hadn’t said much since they left Bokaro. He didn’t need to. Just his presence was enough.

The door creaked open. The familiar scent of lavender incense mixed with a hint of spice wrapped around Zoya like a long-lost hug. The dim yellow fairy lights were still pinned across the living room wall. Her favorite blanket was folded on the couch. Her slippers — the ones with tiny clouds — sat patiently at the corner.

Everything was still hers.

She dropped her bag and stood still, looking around.

It hit her.

She was safe.

She was home.

Tears pricked at her eyes. Aarfa quickly turned on some soft music and walked into the kitchen like everything was normal, trying not to make it too emotional.

But Akif walked closer, standing a little behind her.

"You’re really back," he said softly.

Zoya turned slowly to face him. "Thanks to you."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, it felt like the world had stopped spinning. There were no flashbacks, no shouting voices in her head. Just the quiet hum of the ceiling fan, the flicker of fairy lights, and the boy who had crossed a whole city just to bring her back.

He took a slow breath, like he was holding himself back from saying too much. “I’ll come by tomorrow, okay? You rest.”

She nodded.

He left.

And the second the door clicked shut behind him, Zoya crumbled onto the couch.

Aarfa rushed over and wrapped her arms around her like a second skin. They didn’t talk much. Just lay there, tangled in the blanket, whispering tiny thoughts into the air.

“I feel new,” Zoya mumbled.

“You are,” Aarfa replied. “You’re a whole damn rebirth, Zo.”

That night, the girls made instant noodles, danced barefoot in the kitchen, and watched a silly drama until they passed out — tangled up in the same blanket like the sisters they had chosen to be.

---

The next morning, sunlight poured through the sheer curtains. Zoya stretched like a cat, blinking at the soft golden glow of her room. Her room.

She took a long, hot shower. Wore her favorite oversized BTS hoodie. Ate breakfast without anyone yelling. And then, for the first time in weeks, she smiled without pain behind it.

Her phone buzzed.

Akif: “Hope you woke up to peace.”

She grinned.

Zoya: “Woke up to magic.”

Akif: “Good. You deserve only that from now on.”

She stared at his text for a long time, heart pounding softly.

He hadn’t said much last night. But she knew.

Something had shifted between them.

And whatever it was… it felt like the beginning of something big.

---

Now the new journey begins! This story or maybe NOVEL is going to be LONG~

~Annie🌷👀