Mornings in the Dock Sector are never very bright.
Even when the sun rises, the light always feels a bit pale. The cold wind from the sea sweeps over the damp streets of the city. The iron doors of old warehouses creak softly in that breeze.
Today's morning is just like that.
But inside Asha's house, this morning feels a little different from the past few days.
At least, it is a bit quieter.
---
The window curtains are swaying gently.
The outside light falls on the floor, creating a soft yellow pattern.
Asha is sitting on the bed.
A warm cup is in her hand.
Steam rises from the tea.
The fever isn't as intense as before, but her body is still weak.
Yet, her eyes don't carry that heavy exhaustion from yesterday.
Because today, she is not alone in the house.
---
Iren stands by the door frame.
His arms are folded across his chest.
His eyes are fixed on Asha.
He stands silently for a while.
Then he speaks—
"You should still be resting."
---
Asha takes a slow sip from her tea cup.
Then she looks at him.
"I've been lying down for three days straight."
She says in a slightly annoyed tone.
"If I rest any more, I'll become part of the bed."
---
A very faint smile appears on Iren's face.
It's subtle.
But it doesn't escape Asha's notice.
"Oh."
Asha narrows her eyes.
"Did you just smile?"
---
Iren instantly straightens his expression.
"No."
---
Asha shakes her head.
"I saw it."
She says solemnly.
"You were smiling."
---
A few seconds of silence fill the room.
Then Asha herself lets out a light laugh.
After days of heavy atmosphere, this tiny moment feels strangely normal.
---
Iren goes to stand by the window.
The street outside is empty.
A dog slowly crosses the road.
Somewhere in the distance, an old car is trying to start.
A typical morning in the Dock Sector.
---
But his eyes are observing the surroundings with intense focus.
The distant buildings.
The alleys.
The rooftops.
Everything.
The memory of that shadow from last night is still vivid in his mind.
Someone was inside this house.
He is certain.
But now, the house feels perfectly normal.
As if nothing had ever happened.
---
"Iren?"
Asha's voice brings him back to reality.
He turns around.
---
"You're looking the same way again," Asha says.
"As if you're scanning everything."
---
Iren doesn't say anything for a few seconds.
Then he says calmly—
"I'm just checking."
---
"Checking what?"
---
"If everything is alright."
---
Asha stares at him for a while.
A strange tenderness appears in her eyes.
"Were you always like this?"
---
Iren furrows his brow.
"Like what?"
---
"As if you're always walking around with the responsibility of protecting everyone."
---
Iren doesn't answer.
He looks back out the window.
---
After a while, Asha slowly stands up from the bed.
Her legs are still weak.
She sways slightly.
Iren rushes forward immediately.
"Steady."
---
"I'm fine," Asha says.
Still, she holds onto Iren's hand to regain her balance.
---
A strange moment passes between them.
Neither says anything for a few seconds.
They just stand there.
---
Then Asha lets go of his hand.
"I'm going to the kitchen."
---
Iren is surprised.
"Why?"
---
"Because I'm hungry."
---
"I'll get you some food."
---
Asha shakes her head.
"No."
A mischievous smile plays in her eyes.
"I'm going to cook."
---
"You're still sick."
---
"I'll make soup," Asha says.
"You don't need a medical degree to make soup."
---
Iren starts to say something.
Then he stops.
Because he knows—
It's hard to stop Asha.
---
After a while, faint sounds begin to come from the kitchen.
The sound of pots moving.
The clinking of spoons.
The sound of the stove igniting.
---
Iren stands leaning against the door frame.
He silently watches Asha.
Asha is slowly preparing the soup.
Her movements are still slow.
But there is a sense of peace on her face.
---
"Are you just going to keep watching me like that?" Asha says suddenly.
---
Iren straightens up a bit.
"I'm watching to see if you fall."
---
"I won't fall."
---
"You fell yesterday."
---
Asha is quiet for a moment.
Then she says—
"That was different."
---
"How?"
---
Asha turns around.
A light smile is in her eyes.
"Because you weren't here then."
---
Iren says nothing.
But the words touch him softly somewhere deep inside.
---
A while later, both of them sit at the table.
Bowls of hot soup are in front of them.
Outside, the wind has picked up slightly.
There is a faint sound against the window glass.
---
Asha eats the soup slowly.
Then she asks—
"Are you still thinking about moving away?"
---
The question comes suddenly.
Iren pauses.
---
A few seconds of silence.
---
Then he says—
"No."
---
Asha is a bit surprised.
"Really?"
---
Iren nods.
"At least, not for now."
---
A small smile spreads across Asha's face.
She begins eating her soup again.
---
This moment is very ordinary.
Very peaceful.
As if there is no danger in the world.
No shadows.
No threats.
---
But outside the house,
Across the street,
On the roof of an old building,
A shadow is standing.
Motionless.
Still.
---
From a distance, it is staring at the house.
Specifically—
Toward the kitchen window.
Where the light is on.
And where two people are talking.
Laughing.
---
The shadow slowly tilts its head.
As if observing a scene with intense concentration.
---
Then,
On the wall beside the shadow,
Another shadow slowly begins to form.
One that is not its own.
---
And at that moment,
A very faint whisper drifts through the wind.
"Enjoy it…"
"While it lasts."
---
**Chapter End.**