Alexa was sitting quietly beside Sara, gently playing with a small silver locket in her hands. Absentmindedly, she clicked it open—and paused. Inside was a tiny photograph. It was of her and Sara, smiling brightly in front of a rollercoaster at
an amusement park. The sight pulled her back into the past, to a time when everything hadjust
begun. She remembered their very first meeting—at the airport. Strangers, unsure and quiet, bothlooking for something familiar in an unfamiliar place. But it hadn't taken long. Their connectionhad been instant, like something unspoken had recognized itself in the other. It was there, on that very day, that they had met Sam and Zero too. All four of themwere
heading to the same university. From that day on, the four of them had become inseparable. Sara had never hidden anything from Alexa—not her fears, not her dreams—except one thing:
the story of Maera. Alexa let out a slow, deep breath and quietly closed the locket, slipping it back around her neck. Then, with unusual softness, she reached for Sara's hand, held it gently, and whispered: "Sara… I will make you mine. And in this, your Maera will be the one helping me." She gave Sara's hand a light, reassuring squeeze, then stood up—her gaze steady, her heart
certain. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Dr. Rika had asked Sam and Zero to pick up some medication for Sara. They walked toward the hospital's pharmacy, the corridor stretching long and narrowbeforethem—but this time, Sam was completely silent. Not a word. Not even a glance. His silence stung more than words. Zero couldn't take it anymore.The guilt was already suffocating him. Now this?
"If I could stop time right now, just to stand in front of you,If you paused even for a moment, I'dstay right there with you…" He tried to break the tension, voice half-playful, half-aching: "Oye Sam, which rabid dog bit you? Got your memory scrambled or what?"
But Sam gave him nothing except a cold, deadpan sigh. "No one bit me," he replied coldly. "Maybe… I'm just broken from the inside.And I knowexactly who you are, Zero." There was something in his tone that sliced right through Zero's usual arrogance. The rest of the walk passed in heavy, suffocating silence. They picked up the medicines, no small talk, no glances exchanged. On the way back, the narrowhallway brought them physically closer—shoulders almost brushing. And then—by accident—Zero's hand touched Sam's. But Sam recoiled instantly. Like he had touched fire.Like he was disgusted.Like Zero's very skin repulsed him. And just like that, something dark, something cold, opened inside Zero's chest. He didn't say another word. Neither did Sam. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Maera sat with Sim on a quiet park bench, trying to find some fresh air. But no breeze, nosunlight, no quiet could calm the storm inside her. She kept picturing Sara—wrapped in wires, barely breathing. "It's my fault," she whispered to herself."I did this to her." Sim noticed the distance in her eyes, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?" Maera gave her a weak smile, filled with sadness. "I just… I never thought I'd see a day like this." Sim gave her a small, hopeful nod. "Everything will be okay, Mae…" She knew it wasn't true.But hope was all they had left. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Zero stood on the rooftop as the sun dipped below the skyline. He lit another cigarette. And another. And another. Nothing was helping. He clenched his jaw, exhaled slowly, and looked up—just in time to see a lone shooting star
streak across the sky. His chest tightened.His fingers trembled slightly. "A star just fell from the sky,And I swear, I asked the heavens for you.If I ever get you…I'll neverlet you go." The words floated through his mind like a silent prayer. And then, out loud: "I want Sam.""No matter what." He couldn't believe he'd said it. But there it was—spoken, real. "I can't lose him.But I can't ruin what we have either." He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Meanwhile, far away, in a quiet corner of the city—
Sam sat alone in a café, staring at a half-empty cup of cold coffee. "I just want his friendship back," he whispered."I can't take this anymore…" His thoughts were drowning in quiet desperation. "This love of yours and mine... it's like a dream and a prayer.And I can see now…my Godis
making it come true." He clenched the cup tighter. "Why is this happening to us?""Why him?" As both stood silently—one beneath the stars, one beneath café lights—something unspokenpassed between them. Far from each other, yet tied in the same invisible thread. zero threw his cigrett's empty shell and turned:
"Heart... steady yourself a little,You're about to fall in love again.Heart... stop right here for awhile,You're about to fall in love again…"
"How did this even happen?I don't know… I just don't know…" ______________________________________________________________________________________________
It was evening, after dinner, and they were standing outside the restaurant. "Alright Maera, if anything happens, just call us, we'll come immediately," Alexa said. "Okay Sam, Zero... and Alexa. You all should go home now and rest. We'll stay withSaratonight, there's no problem," Sim added. The three of them headed off toward the hospital while Sam, Zero, and Alexa were left behind. Alexa turned toward the two and asked in a slightly scolding tone, "Alright, nowwill youtwotell me what's going on between you both?"
"N-nothing is going on between us, Alexa..." Zero stammered, clearly flustered. But Sam remained silent, and Zero grew awkward. Alexa noticed everything. "Don't lie to me... anyway, you both should go home now. It's late." She knew something was going on between them—something they were hiding fromher—but
decided not to press further. Saying goodbye, she walked off toward her home. Now only Sam and Zero were left behind... and between them, a distance. A gap. Apain. Or
maybe something else—Zero couldn't quite define it. Sam, who had been avoiding Zero all day, was emotionally exhausted. This had never happened before. And even if Zero had done
something wrong... maybe he was going through something. Whatever had happened, Sam chose—for now—to convince himself, like Ghalib once said:"Forthe comfort of the heart, Ghalib, it's a nice thought." The weather had turned bad, and it looked like it might rain any moment. Cold winds blewthrough the streets. Alexa was walking home when she suddenly heard a girl's scream. At first, she ignored it andkept walking. But when she heard it again, she couldn't resist. "What if there really is someone in trouble out here in this desolate area?" she thought. Sara immediately came to her mind, and she turned toward the direction of the voice. What
Alexa didn't know was that she had just stepped into a fire she couldn't foresee.
When she reached the spot, she saw a girl lying on the ground. Alexa felt a chill run throughher. "Hey? Are you okay? Can you hear me?" she called out two or three times. The girl didn't respond—then slowly began to laugh. Alexa's fear grew. "Why... why are you laughing?" Suddenly, three or four men appeared and grabbed her. The girl stood up and stepped close toAlexa. "I didn't think you'd be this stupid, Alexa dear..." She gently ran her hand down Alexa's face. The familiar touch made Alexa's soul tremble. Shetried to break free—but it was useless. Then, someone pressed a cloth to her nose. As her consciousness faded, the last thing she heard was the girl's voice: "Put her in the car." Rain had started pouring, and the wind had picked up. At the hospital, Sim and Maera were sitting in Sara's ward. Sim was sipping water when shesuddenly felt dizzy. She nearly collapsed but managed to steady herself by grabbing the table. The vase beside her fell and shattered. Maera, who was sitting on the couch, rushed to her. "Hey, Sim! Are you okay? What's happening to you?" she asked worriedly. "I'm fine. Don't worry. Just dizzy," Sim replied. "You've been getting dizzy a lot lately. Stay here—I'm going to call the doctor." Maera seated her on the couch and left to get help. Suddenly, Sara's fingers began to twitch. Slowly, her eyes opened. A white ceiling above her, and the cool breeze from the window brushing her hair—Sara was awake. Sim saw her, got up, and went to her. "Sara? You're awake." She gently touched her shoulder and started pouring water into a glass. Sara blinked, trying to recall where she was. Her eyes moved from her hands, to the hospital
room, to Sim—and then it all came rushing back.
That day.Maera.That kiss.So much blood... She whispered, barely audible: "Maera..." Sim turned, carrying the glass toward her, but Sara had already grabbed her head. "Sara... are you okay?" Sim asked softly. But Sara kept repeating one name. "Maera..." Sim reached out to comfort her, but in a sudden burst, Sara shoved her hand away. The glass
slipped from Sim's grip and shattered. "S-s-Sara..." was all Sim could utter, terrified. Then Sara screamed, "I WANT MAERA!!! WHERE IS MAERA?! MAERA!!! MAERA!!!"She began tearing out her drips and tubes. She was losing her mind—pulling her hair, screaming. Her voice began to change. Maera and the doctors rushed in, shocked at the scene. Nurses tried to restrain her, but Sara was uncontrollable. Then Maera stepped forward andgentlysaid, "Sara..." Sara froze. Completely silent. "Maera..." she whispered. Maera moved forward and embraced her. Sara clung to her shirt as if she'd run away againif shelet go. She sobbed like a child,"Maera... you came back... please don't leave me again... I can't livewithout you..." Maera felt a sharp pain pierce her heart. What have I done to the one I loved? she thought. Sara held on to Maera's shirt like her life depended on it, crying uncontrollably. Sim, too, was
overwhelmed with sorrow. Maera gestured to the nurse, who quickly administered anesthesia. Within moments, Sara passedout mid-sob. She was gently laid back onto the bed.
The doctor turned to Maera. "She's extremely possessive of you. We're keeping her under sedation for now. But
truthfully, we don't know what's coming. She's 95% mentally unstable. And she onlysaysone name: Maera." Maera was deeply worried. Later, when Sim returned from the bathroom, she had made a decision. She walked over towhere Maera stood, silently brushing Sara's hair away from her face. Sim approached quietly and gathered her courage. "Mae?"
"Hmm?" Maera responded, still dazed. "If you want... you can stay with Sara. These seven years we spent together... I'll survivewith their memories. But I can't steal your first love from you. After all... I'mthe one whocame into your life unannounced and ruined everything. If you want, we can go our
separate ways. I won't mind..." Her voice broke, tears filled her eyes. Maera froze. She looked at Sim, stunned. "Sim?"
"Yes... we can do that..." Sim said, choking on her words. Maera pulled her into a tight hug. "Sim, you're crazy. You're my wife. And Sara... she's not just my first love. She's alsomyfriend. My love is my past. But you... you are my present. My future. We can helpSara—asfriends. It's only natural that I care for her." Maera was caught between her past and her present. Torn. Sim tried to say something—"But Mae..."
"Shh... not a word." Maera whispered, hugging her tightly. And Sim wept in her arms. That rainy night... So many hearts were lost.So many storms arrived.So many moments ended in pain.And if all of
this had fallen upon a mountain...
Even that might've crumbled. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Sam smiled and placed his hand on Zero's shoulder."Come on, Zero. Let's head home. Our
houses are not so far anyway."He wrapped his arm around Zero's neck and started walking. Zerowalked along beside him. Sam's touch always made Zero's heartbeat quicken, like his heart was lighting up inside.But hedidn't want to feel any of it. He didn't want to ruin their friendship.Still, he was happy—at least
Sam was talking to him. Sam was saying all sorts of things, just rambling on, and Zero just kept watching him…his eyeslocked onto him, completely absorbed. He was so close... While talking, Sam turned to look at him—Their faces were really close.Something stirredinSam. He immediately turned his face away, trying to compose himself."What are you staring at?" heasked, trying to sound casual. Zero quickly looked away too. "Nothing. Just… it suddenly got really cold," he said, tryingtocover up. Sam noticed too."Yeah… feels like rain—"But before he could even finish the sentence, light
raindrops began to fall. "Aww, come on, man…" Sam muttered, annoyed."Zero, your house is so far. Mine's just aroundthe corner.Let's do one thing—just come over to my place.Stay the night." Zero's breath caught.He looked at Sam—And right then, the rain began pouring harder. They started getting soaked. "Dude, it's pouring now! Come on, Sam, hurry or we're gonna get sick!"Zero said as he laughedand ran ahead, covering his head with his hand. "Hey! Zero, careful! You'll slip!" Sam called out, concerned, chasing after himwith a smile—Just like they used to do back in childhood. To be continued…