“…Are you sure this is necessary?” Nirma inquires in a hushed tone.

  “Absolutely! I don’t want you getting sick in the rain!” I answer, head held up high with a hand resting on my hip.

  No crossing my arms to look like I’m lecturing her sadly, but that’ll give off the message: “I’m completely serious here!" Hmm, does higher beings like her get sick from the common cold? Maybe that’s a no, but I’m not risking it, either.

  Oh, what happened you ask? I forced Nirma to wear a raincoat before we ventured on further, and she kept saying no.

  The pce we came upon was the main hub of an alleyway of sorts, there were multiple branching ways to rger streets or narrower, dirty ones.

  I may have judged the pce wrongly, as we found a wall decorated with a bunch of raincoats and umbrels, all of different sizes too. The graffiti beside it read: “It’s the rainy season, please take one for your journey!”

  Now I feel a little terrible, lesson learned at least. No judging by the cover.

  Continuing on, I made Nirma wear one because the rain made her dress almost translucent, she’s practically exposed!

  I absolutely cannot let her go on the streets like that! She doesn’t care much about it though, of course she would— but I definitely do!

  I picked the most vibrant color, not wanting others to see through the raincoat easily. Nirma was understandably annoyed by my decision, she rolled her eyes and begrudgingly put it on anyway.

  In a way, it’s adorable, like I’m trying to convince a kid that vegetables are good for them.

  She only knew that I wanted to keep her safe from the rain, not out of fear of peering and lurking gazes. Is this considered controlling? Surely, wanting to protect your girl— friend, just friend out of others is fine, right?

  Eh what gives, I’ll ask Nirma if she’s okay with me demanding like that.

  So that leads us to where we are now! On a sidewalk of a rge street, strutting to… somewhere. We’re a bit lost on the destination part, there isn’t a quest marker guiding us, and neither the framed picture nor the pendant gives us any other clues.

  I suppose they have served their purpose, and now they leave nothing but memories. Pah, that was super cheesy, I can feel myself cringing from that.

  Most of the buildings surrounding us are empty, and desote. Occasional winds penetrate through the shell, whirling the insides as loose metals fp and rattle— echoing in the vacant space.

  An echo of what was once a city teeming with life. It’s no surprise, they’ve melted away, becoming deformed and completely unhabitable.

  It’s unsettling to think about what really causes this, so I won’t be doing that. Answers will come on their own sooner or ter.

  “Lights in the distance,” Nirma says, hand pointing to somewhere beyond.

  No, I’m not exaggerating, I see nothing but fog and water droplets. Another case of difference in beings?

  Noticing my confusion, she tilts her head, her expression mirroring mine. “You don’t see it?”

  She lowers her arm, aligning it with my gaze, and points. Squinting my eyes I could see… nothing. Yeah, that didn’t help much. I appreciate the sweet gesture though~, seeing Nirma hunching is cute.

  “Still nothing, thanks for trying!” I answer, cracking a smile at her.

  “Odd,” she says, more to herself than to me. Taking a step forward, she offers her hand. “I’ll lead the way.”

  “Okay! Take me~,” I say, my voice husky as I look at her with half-lidded eyes. A little tease wouldn’t hurt, I doubt she’d react anyway so—

  “Dummy,” she huffs, not before taking my hand and intertwining our fingers.

  Oh. Never mind, she did react to it. That was something… I didn’t reasonably expect it. Is she weak to teases like that? I shall mentally take note of that.

  My palm suddenly feels like it’s getting crushed. “Stop thinking of rude things.” She keeps her pace, not even looking at me as she says that.

  Ah, it’s from Nirma. How does she even know then if she didn’t look into my eyes? Mysteries, she’s full of em. Don’t think it’s going to stop anytime soon too.

  “Okay okay!” I say between a fit of giggles. “I’ll stop, I’ll stop.”

  Well, this certainly does feel nice. Like a stroll in the park on a Saturday night.

  We’ve been walking in complete silence for fifteen minutes. With the rain, the whirling wind, and metals being our only company. Is she still flustered about that? I’m assuming she is though, that might be an annoyance. Who knows.

  Great, dread just rushed in after realizing that I may have annoyed her. It’s not even a full concrete proof! Just a theory, yet it assumes the worst. Grr, my brain pisses me off sometimes.

  Time to switch focus, right! Shaking my head, my eyes wander upwards from her hand, and— I caught the sight of her back.

  The poor raincoat is getting stretched so much that the nylon fabric is already showing signs of tear. Keep in mind this was the rgest size we could find. My gosh her back is that broad?

  Well, I’m blushing again. Was I this gay in my past life? I’m just going to accept I’m gay. I mean, a girl looks at strong woman: she blushes furiously. No further expnations are needed.

  “We’re here.”

  “We’re what?” I didn’t even see the pce closing in on us! I was so entranced by her assets damn. Blinking a few times, I shift my head to the side to see a billboard.

  “Welcome to the City of Hell. Rest with the fmes, traveler.”

  It sounds oddly inviting… and cozy too. Behind that, is indeed a city, a warm one too. Despite the depressing background of an upset sky, and rain crying down, the pce is able to say proudly: “This is home.”

  People run about, huddled together under their umbrels as their ughter and giggles fill the air. Food stalls fill every corner of the street, with the same, hearty ughs coming from the customers and sellers alike.

  The smell of homemade food crashes against our senses, accompanied by sizzling noises coming from each side— they all work together to make the pce scream, home.

  “Ugh… this pce is so happy I might get sick,” I comment as I rub the bridge of my nose to rid of the light headache.

  It’s not a terrible scene to look at, I’m just so used to all of the dread and despair going around that something like this stirs unease within my stomach.

  To be fair I was fully expecting a scene that reeks of chaos when we first entered the rift, so getting met with the exact opposite throws me off.

  “Me too,” she responds quietly. Her face stays stoic but her hand is gripping mine tighter. She’s dazed by this as well, perhaps it’s the same case as mine— where we see anguish as something comforting.

  I squeeze hers just as tight. “Hey, we’ll be okay. Just gotta get used to it.”

  “Yeah. Thanks.” She heaves out a particurly long sigh.

  We continue to stare into the lively city in silence. Honestly, this ‘city’ resembles more of a fantasy town, but I’ll respect whoever named this pce.

  Neither of us takes the first step. It feels like this pce isn’t meant for us. We exist in it, but we don’t belong. Just… adrift. Alone.

  “Oi!” A shout comes from behind the gate, and our heads jerk towards the sound. “You two dies have been starin’ and not enterin’,” a dry and hoarse voice scolds.

  Limping, a man with a hunched back and a cane in hand storms to us— mumbling a few curses under his breath.

  We let him take his time, at the same time letting us recover and regain our footing on the situation, or whatever the hell happens next.

  After a lot of stumbling and small pauses to breathe, he’s finally in front of us, taking bored and rasping breaths. “Younglin’s these days, don’t have any manners.”

  Oh, he was expecting us to approach him instead. Sorry, Grandpa.

  Once he isn’t wheezing anymore, he fakes a cough to make his presence clear. “So what gives, huh? Ya think ya too good for tis’ city?”

  An awkard pause, seems like Nirma isn’t used to these types of people. Luckily, years of dealing with fanatics of religion have prepared me for this moment.

  Not that I’m saying this person right here is a fanatic, I just have experience in dealing with stubborn old men.

  “We were just admiring the scenery—”

  “Oh no no, I know that look,” he cuts me off with a disapproval shake of the head. “Tch tch, ya should know better not to lie to elders.”

  See? Stubborn and always jumping to conclusions. Mhm, that sounds like a fair amount of people I’ve dealt with before.

  “Well, we’re not lying. It is the truth—”

  “Hmm, if ya didn’t lie before then you definitely are lyin’ now,” his brows furrow, judging us thoroughly. “Ya have disappointed this old man enough, now come.” With that, he turns around and starts walking. Attempts to, at least.

  Okay, this person is slightly to get on my nerves. “Uhh, For what exactly…?” I ask as the old man continues to struggle.

  “For an apology!” he shouts like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Now shut your mouth and follow me!”

  A groan escapes me as I roll my eyes at him. “You don’t need to shout again.” I was about to take my first step until—

  Nirma pulls me by the hood of my coat, choking me for a second. “What are you doing?”

  “…Well, doing what he tells us to do?” I answer sheepishly, scratching my cheek.

  She looks at me with wide eyes, like she’s fbbergasted.

  “That,” she points to the old man, almost scrutinizing, “is a grown man and a stranger. You that naive to just follow him?”

  I frown. “Uh, yes? I did the same thing with you.”

  The grip on my coat loosens as she freezes up. Her body is still but the slight twitch on her wing tells me I hit a nerve.

  “N-not that I count you as a stranger! You’re practically my girl—” She pulls down the hood like how one would closing a curtain, fast and effective in cutting me off.

  I hear her letting out another sigh, this time shaky and relieved. “Shut it.”

  Then I hear her footsteps getting farther away from me. Oh fuck, she’s totally pissed at me, isn’t she? I quickly undid my hood and began following the two of them.

  “Thank goodness she stops me from saying something so embarrassing…”

  Okay, perhaps this isn’t as smooth sailing as I thought it’d be. Well, life is exactly like that right?

  Since the old man was walking at negative miles per hour, I quickly caught up to them with some running.

  A little surprised I wasn’t panting for air when I got here, as my skills in athletics are not something to be proud of. Luckily it seems like it’s not that bad.

  “Took ya long enough girlie, your legs made of noodles or somethin’?” he compins, shaking his head slightly.

  The nerve to say that. I mean, it’s true my legs are noodles most of the time— but you can’t say that while yours are as brittle as a twig!

  Hell, even Nirma gives him the death gre. Either he’s oblivious or he’s trying to stand his ground, he kept babbling on, doubling down even.

  “Exercisin’ regurly is importa…” The cane in his hand slips out of his grip as he starts levitating from the ground. “Hey! Just what are ya doin’ dy?!”

  Nirma’s the culprit, she lifts the old man by the colr with ease, like he weighs nothing. He struggles, throwing a tantrum. His legs kicks nothing but air, and his hands fail to grab onto her hand— he’s a bit too short for it.

  Ah, is Nirma angry for me? That’s… sweet, and funny at the same time. I can’t help but chuckle at the sight.

  “Oi! Tell this girlfriend of yours to put me down this instant!”

  My ughter stops. Blood rushes to my head, making me feel lightheaded. Pretty sure I’m as red as a tomato now. “E-eh…?”

  “Oh. Ya guys aren’t? Well, what’re you doin’ holdin’ hands like—” Nirma, shuts him up with a good shake.

  “Alright alright! I’ll stop!” he shouts once he isn’t hazy. “Now put me down!”

  Nirma still kept him up in the air, though. “No. You’re slow,” she says, her tone dead serious. “Tell us where you want to go. It’ll be faster.”

  “Ya seriously can’t expect me to agree to that!” He’s about to throw another tantrum, but once he sees her death gre, he bitterly agrees. “Fine.”

  “Good. Now tell us.”

  “Just enter the city and turn right, first stall ya see is the destination,” he mumbles.

  “Oh, it isn’t that far then huh?” I chime in once I’m not a blushing mess.

  “It’ll take longer if he’s walking.”

  “Heh, thanks for taking the initiative.”

  “Ya girls do know that I am still here!”

  “We know,” both of us say simultaneously, silencing any more protests.

  The moment we step foot beyond the gate, Nirma and I come to a halt. No guards are making us stop, no checkups, no inspection. We simply aren’t used to it.

  We were about to fall into another spiral, thinking we didn’t belong here at all. But time, we have a… motivator, of sorts.

  “Are ya that amazed or are ya that disgusted?”

  Honestly? No clear answer comes to mind. I’m speaking for myself here as my body is definitely repulsing against it. Along with envy spilling into the mix.

  It’s a mess, and thinking further on it would further mess me up. So I won’t.

  “Hold me,” she whispers just low enough so only I can hear her as she reaches out a hand to me. This time, she isn’t offering to lead the way, it’s the exact opposite.

  Her hand is trembling, shaking. The rest of her body keeps the facade up that she’s rigid, calm and composed.

  But either she’s letting herself be vulnerable around me, or she can’t hide it no longer than this part of her is scared.

  “I’m here for you,” I answer, csping her hand. The old man there definitely heard me say that, but he kept his mouth shut.

  Good, at least he can read the mood. With a long sigh, I try to compose myself. “Let’s go.”

  Our destination is so close yet so far, I can see the stall right around the corner but— the road is flooded by people. All cheerful and happy under their umbrels.

  Before my breathing worsens, I shut everything away except for us three. It’s just us. No one else. Nothing else. With that in mind, I began walking.

  Imagining them as moving obstacles instead of actual people works wonders. We weave through them left and right, not bumping into any of them.

  If my focus starts to falter, I focus on Nirma’s touch— I’m leading her away to safety, if I fail I’ll lose her. Quite the big pressure, but only something as intense as so keeps me from messing this up.

  I repeat this over and over until… We’re at the stall, besides it at least. I did it! I succeeded! The victory snaps me from my focus— and then everything comes rushing back.

  Sizzling food, chatter and ughter, footsteps, all of them attack my senses, all at once. I had to crouch down to calm myself.

  “Oh my…” A sweet, candy voice that belongs to neither me nor Nirma speaks up. “This is quite the scene, isn’t it?”

  I look up to see a woman in her thirties, her hair tied up into a ponytail and wearing an apron. Her eyes are glued on the man who’s still being held up by Nirma.

  “I’m sorry for the pitiful scene honey. These girls right here told me I was too slow!”

  Honey? Are they married?

  “It’s alright dear, I find it entertaining,” she says with a sweet giggle. She then looks at Nirma, her eyes sharpening— almost intimidating. “Now, I would appreciate it if you put my husband down.”

  Okay, that answers my question.

  Nirma did as she was told, though she narrows her eyes at the wife as well, she isn’t going down just like that without a fight.

  Gods, the atmosphere is extremely heavy right now. You can practically sense there’s lightning sparking between these two.

  “Break it off ya two. They did help me in a way, my back ain’t makin’ it through that crowd,” he says after finishing patting off the dust.

  “If you say so dear.” She backs down immediately, not before one st gre, but wow, this old geezer is something else.

  We watch him enter the house behind the food stall. It’s quiet for a good while. Until we heard shouting from inside.

  “Mia! Set up a table for two! Give em the specials, and put em on my tab!”

  That was so loud, and more importantly— uh, was that for us?

  “Yes Dad, I’ll set them up in a minute!”

  Ah, a happy family. That’s adorable. But, getting bsted with so many new— by many I mean three —people in a such short amount of time is getting to me.

  This shows just how lonely I am, but I can’t help it okay!

  “Come here.” Without letting me respond, Nirma gets on her knees and scoops me up into a hug. It’s so warm. I missed this feeling.

  Did she… notice my distress?

  “A-ah…” I wrap my arm around her, pulling her close. People are probably watching us, I think. I don’t really care though, all I want to do is embrace her.

  It’s then I realized something. When I’m with her, I always feel content, happy. Right now, I feel the same thing. I’m… happy.

  For the first time since seeing this city, I finally feel I belong here. I’m sure my happiness is as strong as the ughters and joy in here.

  …Ah, I’m falling for her.

  Zenovia