Nora's head rested gently on Nana's grave, her eyes closed in solemn silence. The wind rustled through the tall grass around her as Zayan sat quietly on a nearby bench, watching her from a respectful distance. She had asked for a moment alone with Nana, and he honored it.
The weight of memories hung heavy in the air.
Time passed, and unknowingly, Nora drifted into sleep.
In her dream, the sky was bright, and the world around her glowed with a surreal, golden light. She saw her Nana sitting in a field, softly picking wildflowers and humming an old lullaby. Tears welled up in Nora's eyes as she screamed, "NANA!"
Nana turned, her face warm and radiant, arms open wide. "Nora, my sweet baby girl. Don't cry. It's your birthday, love… but you're not here with me."
Nora ran into her arms, sobbing. "I miss you, Nana. So much."
Meanwhile, in the real world, Zayan noticed Nora asleep on the grass, her face streaked with silent tears. An old woman walking by glanced at her, then at him. She whispered, "Hey! They're talking. Shhhh… don't wake her up."
Zayan looked at her, bewildered, unsure what she meant. But something told him not to interfere.
Back in the dream, Nora lay her head on Nana's lap, just like she did as a child.
"Listen to me, my baby," Nana said softly, brushing Nora's hair back. "Life is hard, and often unexpected. But whatever it throws at you, you must always be strong. Very, very strong. You have Zayan with you now… he loves you."
Nora's voice trembled. "But… I don't know if he does…"
Nana smiled gently. "Oh, but he does, sweet girl. And soon, you'll see it for yourself."
Suddenly, a radiant light began to surround Nana.
"It's time for me to go now," she whispered, cupping Nora's face. "But I'll always be with you, always loving you, always watching. I love you, my sweet baby girl."
"No… please… don't go," Nora pleaded, reaching for her.
Back in reality, Zayan saw her lips move. "Nana…?" she murmured, her cheeks wet. "Nana…?"
She jolted awake, gasping for air, drenched in sweat. Zayan was instantly by her side, holding her face in his hands.
"Darling?" he said softly.
Nora's voice was hollow. "She was here… I saw her…"
His heart broke for her. "Come on, let's go. Okay?"
She nodded silently.
They arrived at the orphanage. Nora stared blankly out the car window, not uttering a word. As the car stopped, the surrounding area was cloaked in darkness.
Zayan walked closely behind her, hands in his pockets. She pushed open the creaking wooden doors and stepped into the shadows of her past.
He leaned in and whispered into her right ear, "Happy Birthday, Darling."
In that instant—the lights came on.
"SURPRISE!!!" came the chorus of voices.
Children ran out giggling. Asher held a beautifully decorated birthday cake. Miss Aveline, Frya, Sora, and the boys all sang Happy Birthday with wide smiles.
But Nora didn't respond.
Her eyes darted around, wide with disbelief. The orphanage… it was rebuilt. Every detail, every memory—intact.
She walked past everyone in a daze, fingers trailing along the familiar walls. Into the kitchen. Nana's room. Her room. The children's room.
Everything was exactly how she remembered.
Zayan followed quietly, letting her take it all in. When she turned, he wrapped his arms tightly around her from behind.
"Still the same?" he whispered. "Or… is anything missing?"
She turned to face him, voice trembling. "Y…y…y-you did this? W-why?"
He looked into her eyes and said simply, "Because I love you. And seeing you so sad broke me. I hated it. I hated seeing you like that."
Then he gently turned her face toward him and kissed her. Slowly. Tenderly. Like they had all the time in the world.
Just then, Rex walked in, smirking. "Uhhh, excuse TF me—can we have cake now, please?"
They both laughed as Nora wiped a tear and walked back to the others. She blew out the candles, surrounded by love and joy.
The night was filled with laughter, dancing, and games. But Zayan couldn't stop watching her—his Nora. His heart raced as he thought to himself:
Will I hurt her? I've never gone this far for anyone. I'm the Devil… but maybe… maybe the Devil can love too.
He smiled to himself, whispering so no one else could hear:
"I love you, Nora."