Kiss the Stranger

I’d felt dazed the entire drive. Leaving that place behind and heading home was something I’d never even dreamed of, not in my wildest dreams.
But right now, this was real. I was about to pinch my thigh again when Kamar, sitting beside me, grasped my [N O V E L I G H T] hand. He squeezed firmly, as if telling me to stop, and I snapped back to reality.

Thank you.
I mouthed the words, and Kamar simply smiled. Glancing out the window, I saw the sands thinning and houses appearing one by one. Al-Fatih, the place I’d been born and raised. My heart fluttered and my pulse quickened. The streets coming into view looked both familiar and strange. Ghurab had told me today marked exactly seven years since I’d gone to live at the oasis. I’d known time had passed—my days here all felt the same—but hadn’t truly felt it. Then, suddenly, all those years came crashing down on me. The sight of these unfamiliar streets made it even more real.
So much time has passed.

Feeling a hollow ache in my chest, I drew a deep breath. Fighting back tears, I stroked Rikal, who sat on my lap. He, too, was returning here after seven years. I wondered if Rikal remembered the manor—he’d left when he was barely a kitten.
As I gently petted him, Kamar asked,
“Is this the house you were born in?”

I nodded.
“I lived here until I manifested as an omega. After that, I had no choice but to leave…”
“To avoid something bad happening?”
Kamar repeated my words exactly, and again I answered,

“Yes. I think someone betrayed me…”
“Betrayed you, as in—because you’re an omega?”
“Yes.”

I nodded again and went on.
“Fortunately, Uncle warned me and I got away. He said once it was safe, he’d call me back…”
My throat tightened and I exhaled sharply.

“I never thought I’d actually be able to come back.”
I tried to smile at him, but Kamar didn’t smile.
“Someone betrayed you, and your uncle warned you? How did he even know?”

“That’s…”
His question caught me off guard. I’d never thought about that. I was too young back then, and afterward I’d just lived on autopilot. Even now, I was simply grateful to be riding in Ghurab’s car.
“Still, there’s no way Uncle meant to betray me.”

“Who knows.”
Kamar replied with a wry tone. The car passed beneath a massive gate and entered a manicured garden. Beyond it stood the old manor my mother had loved—every detail from the architecture to the fountain’s sculpture bore her touch. Though seven years had passed, I remembered everything. This place held memories I could never forget.
But as we stepped out of the car and the garden came into view, I froze. The central fountain and flowerbeds were gone. In their place lay marble floors painted gold. The ornate, domed manor with arabesque patterns on its walls and columns had vanished, replaced by a modern Western-style building. Through the glass walls, I could see an elevator moving. Nothing before me matched my memories. I wondered if Ghurab had made a wrong turn. Before I could speak, Kamar looked up at the building and said,

“If this is the house you lived in, there must be a good reason.”
“But… but how… I think we’ve come to the wrong place…”
I frantically searched for Ghurab but he was nowhere to be seen. Panic fluttered in my chest. Holding Rikal tightly, I felt Kamar wrap his arms around me.

Ah.
Hearing his familiar heartbeat, I began to calm. Above me, Kamar said,
“It’s okay, don’t worry. I’m here.”
“…Yeah.”

I thought how lucky I was not to be alone. How grateful I was to have Kamar with me.
“There is a god, Kamar.”
I said it suddenly. Kamar asked,

“What are you talking about?”
I couldn’t help smiling at the slight annoyance in his voice.
“He sent you to me.”

Kamar froze. I hugged him tightly.
“I will thank god for the rest of my life, because I met you. …Sorry about your memory, though.”
I muttered softly, and Kamar squeezed me tighter.

“It’s okay. It was nonsense anyway.”
Then he added gently,
“All I need are the memories we make together.”

My chest swelled. I lifted my head and our eyes met. When I saw Kamar tilt his head, I closed mine and waited for his lips against mine, scented sweetly.
“Master.”
Startled, I froze. Opening my eyes, I saw Ghurab approaching us.

“The master is to come inside now. This way, please.”
He turned and beckoned us, so Kamar and I walked side by side. “It’s okay,” Kamar mouthed, and I gave him a grateful smile.
Passing through the entrance and into the manor, the blazing sun vanished and the heat eased. Walking down the quiet corridor, I kept looking for any trace of my childhood home, but it was pointless. Not a single sign of the old manor remained. A swell of disappointment and emptiness washed away the excitement I’d felt. I realized I’d become a stranger in this unfamiliar place.
Ghurab knocked on a door at the end of the corridor. Before it opened, he looked at Kamar and said,

“The master wishes to meet with you alone first. I’ll show Master to his room; please wait there, sir.”
Kamar frowned, and I hesitated before nodding.
“I’ll see you later, Kamar.”

He didn’t look pleased, but instead of protesting, he looked at the cat I held.
“Should I keep him for you?”
Rikal bristled and yowled as if he understood. I forced a wry smile and cradled him closer.

“I’m okay, thank you.”
I waved one hand. Kamar kissed my finger before letting go. An unnameable melancholy tugged at me as I walked on, glancing back. Behind us, Ghurab closed the door, and beyond it I heard Kamar laugh softly and wave. Turning, I finally faced the man waiting inside.
“Oh, Yohan!”

“Uncle…!”
A man in a white kandura approached with a bright smile.
“How long has it been? I’ve missed you so much. Your brother and sister-in-law will be overjoyed. Thanks be to God. What an honor!”

He murmured a quick prayer, then swept me into his arms and patted my back.
“I’m glad you look well. How have you managed all this time? Now, sit down. We have so much to talk about.”
Uncle led me to a seat and sat beside me.

“But what about that man you came with? You said you came from the oasis alone?”
Ghurab must have reported to him. I blushed and answered,
“Well, uh… there were circumstances, so we stayed together.”

“Circumstances? Is it hard to talk about?”
Uncle asked kindly, but I still couldn’t bring myself to tell him everything. I mumbled,
“I’ll tell you later, I’m sorry. But… the house seems very different. I thought we’d come to the wrong place. What happened?”

I changed the subject carefully. Uncle waved it off.
“Huh? Nothing special. The old house just got too worn out, so we rebuilt it. That’s all.”
“Worn out…?”

I had heard the manor was built after I was born. Surely it wasn’t old enough to be worn out. Seeing my confusion, Uncle added,
“You don’t know much about houses. The sun is harsh, and the desert sand blows everywhere. Houses wear out quickly. Most don’t last ten years. Yours lasted remarkably long.”
Could that be…?

I wanted to ask why the garden had changed, but it didn’t feel like the right moment. Though anxiety gnawed at me, part of me was still grateful to have Kamar with me. Uncle cleared his throat and changed the subject again.
“For now, rest up today, and we’ll talk more tomorrow. You must be thirsty—have some tea.”
After sipping the tea he offered and chatting a bit, I followed a servant outside.

“I will show you to your room.”
I glanced around and asked cautiously,
“Excuse me, where is the room for my companion?”

The servant paused and frowned.
“I’m not sure. If you ask the butler, he’ll know.”
“I see…”

I felt awkward but couldn’t press him, so I thanked him quietly. As I entered the room, the servant said,
“Dinner will be in an hour. You’ll probably meet your companion then.”
“Oh, yes… thank you.”

Feeling slightly better, I greeted him cheerfully. He closed the door without a word. Left alone, I looked around. The hastily prepared room was nearly bare, with only an unused bed and a few pieces of furniture. I sat on the edge of the bed and exhaustion washed over me.
I need to wash up and go down for dinner…
But more than hunger, I missed Kamar. I needed to see if there was anything here to call a servant. There used to be a cord by the bed—but now it was gone.

Perhaps guest rooms don’t have them…
My thoughts trailed off. I collapsed onto the bed and heavy eyelids closed.