Chapter 11
864 Words
Where He Lives
“Why can’t I come to your place?”
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Sakina’s voice carried a mix of curiosity and quiet frustration.
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Nii didn’t look at her.
“You won’t like it.”
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She frowned. “How do you know?”
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Silence.
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“You always say I don’t belong here,” she continued.
“But I still come.”
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Nii glanced at her briefly.
“That’s different.”
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“How?”
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No answer.
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Sakina crossed her arms slightly.
“You come from somewhere… I want to see it.”
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A pause.
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“…why?”
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She hesitated.
Then said the truth.
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“Because I want to know you.”
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That hit differently.
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Nii looked away.
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“Another day,” he said.
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“No,” Sakina replied quickly.
“Today.”
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Silence.
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Her eyes searched his face.
“You don’t trust me?”
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That word again.
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Nii exhaled slowly.
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“Come.”
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The walk was longer than she expected.
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The roads changed.
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From smooth… to rough.
From quiet… to loud.
From clean… to crowded.
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Sakina held her bag tighter.
Her steps slower now.
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She didn’t complain.
But she noticed everything.
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People staring.
Children running barefoot.
Voices louder.
Life… harsher.
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Nii walked ahead.
Didn’t check if she was keeping up.
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She hurried slightly.
“I’m coming,” she said softly.
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He didn’t respond.
But slowed down just a little.
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They stopped in front of a small, worn-out building.
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Sakina looked at it.
Then at him.
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“…you live here?”
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Nii nodded once.
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She didn’t speak immediately.
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“Come,” he said.
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Inside—
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It was small.
Plain.
Barely furnished.
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A thin mattress.
A chair.
A table with a few scattered items.
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Nothing like what she was used to.
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Sakina stood still.
Taking it all in.
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“It’s… quiet,” she said softly.
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Nii leaned against the wall.
Watching her.
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“You said you wanted to see.”
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She nodded slowly.
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Then turned to him.
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“You live alone?”
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“Yes.”
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“No family?”
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A pause.
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“No.”
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Simple.
Final.
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Sakina’s expression softened.
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“That must be hard.”
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Nii didn’t respond.
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She stepped further inside, carefully.
Like she was afraid to touch something wrong.
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Then she sat on the edge of the mattress.
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“This is where you sleep?”
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“…yes.”
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She looked around again.
Then back at him.
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“You’re strong.”
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That caught him off guard.
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Nii frowned slightly.
“Why?”
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She smiled faintly.
“Because you survived this.”
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Silence.
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No one had ever said that to him before.
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A moment passed.
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Then Sakina spoke again, quieter this time.
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“I like being here.”
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Nii’s head lifted slightly.
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“You shouldn’t.”
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She smiled.
“But I do.”
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She looked at him—
Really looked at him.
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“You’re different here.”
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“…how?”
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“More real.”
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That word again.
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Real.
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Nii’s gaze hardened slightly.
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“Don’t get used to it.”
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Sakina tilted her head.
“Why?”
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A pause.
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Then—
“Because this isn’t your world.”
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She stood up slowly.
Walked closer to him.
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“Maybe I want it to be.”
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Dangerous words.
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Nii stared at her.
Long.
Silent.
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Then—
“You don’t know what you’re saying.”
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She smiled softly.
“Then show me.”
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For a second—
Everything felt still.
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Too close.
Too quiet.
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Nii stepped back slightly.
Breaking it.
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“Sit,” he said.
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She obeyed without question.
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From outside—
Abu’s voice echoed faintly.
“Nii!”
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Sakina looked toward the door.
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“Who’s that?”
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“…Abu.”
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He stepped out briefly.
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Outside—
Abu looked shocked.
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“You brought her here?”
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Nii’s expression was tight.
“She insisted.”
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Abu shook his head. “You’re crossing lines now.”
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Silence.
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“She’s inside your place, Nii,” Abu continued.
“That’s not part of the plan.”
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Nii didn’t respond.
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But for once—
He didn’t look in control.
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Inside—
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Sakina sat quietly.
Looking around again.
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A small smile on her face.
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To her—
This wasn’t poverty.
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It was closeness.
Realness.
Something she had never had.
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When Nii walked back in—
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She looked up at him.
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“I’m glad I came.”
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He didn’t respond.
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But something in his chest—
Shifted again.
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And this time…
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It felt heavier.
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🔥 End of Chapter Eleven
- Writer
