The Bedroom | Part 1
PROLOGUE
“What the hell?”
My shout tore through the entire house the moment I opened the door and stepped into our bedroom.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Reez called out, rushing towards me after hearing my shout.
We had just returned from Reez’s parents’ house. With the school holidays underway, they had practically begged us to let them “steal” the kids for a few days.
But the moment Reez reached our bedroom doorway, he froze.
“What the…”
“Reez, I’m scared,” I whispered, turning towards him.
He instinctively pulled me into his arms, one hand gently rubbing my back.
“Don’t be, Zattie. Let me handle this.”
I tightened my grip around him. It wasn't that I was easily frightened, but whatever I had just witnessed sent an unsettling shiver down my spine.
“Come on, honey. Let's get you settled in the guest room first.”
Reez took my hand and led me towards the guest room downstairs. I nodded and followed him without protest, but my mind kept replaying what I had seen in our bedroom. Over and over again.
“Reez, how could this even happen?” I asked as I sank into the wingback chair. My eyes drifted towards the wall clock.
11:45 p.m.
“I’m not sure, honey. Let me check first, okay?”
I looked up at him, searching his face for some reassurance. He gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze before turning towards the door.
I watched him walk away until he disappeared down the hallway. And there I was.
Alone.
With the image of what I had just witnessed still haunting my mind.
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The Bedroom | Part 1
I had just finished cooking when my phone, which I'd left on the kitchen island, started ringing.
It was the second day of the school holidays, and my daily routine had shifted considerably. I found myself spending more time in the kitchen since my kids seemed to be constantly asking for food.
Mama.
I grabbed my phone and sat on a chair. The kitchen still smelled of freshly cooked food. Outside, the afternoon sun shone fiercely, making the kitchen warmer than usual. I had left the kitchen door open for better air circulation before I started cooking.
I swiped to answer the call and brought the phone to my ear.
“Hello, Mama.”
“Hello, Zattie. How are you and the kids?”
I smiled. A warm feeling spread through my chest.
“We're doing great, Mama,” I replied before adding, “considering the school holidays.” I heard her chuckle on the other end of the line.
“Bring the kids here tomorrow, Zattie,” Mama said.
Mama was my mother-in-law, and she absolutely adored her grandchildren. Whenever she had the time, she would gather my children and their cousins at her house or take them on vacations. My father-in-law and the rest of my in-laws were just as affectionate towards the children.
“Tomorrow?” I repeated, seeking confirmation. Tomorrow was Thursday, and Reez would still be working.
“Yeah. Come for dinner, okay? Then let the kids stay here,” Mama said. “Your sister's kids will be here too.”
“Okay, Mama. We will.”
“The more, the merrier! See you tomorrow.”
“Sure. Send my regards to Dad. Bye.”
“Will do!”
I stared at the blank screen and exhaled softly.
Thank God for blessing me with such a supportive family. After everything I had experienced during my first marriage, I had never imagined I would be fortunate enough to have in-laws like them.
My train of thought was interrupted by another buzz from my phone.
Reez. My husband.
I miss you, honey.
Have you had your lunch?
Are the kids behaving?
I smiled and typed my reply.
I miss you more, darling.
Not yet. I just finished cooking.
The kids are still behaving.
I let out a soft chuckle. Kids being kids, especially during the school holidays. Constant sibling quarrels, fights over toys and books, and seemingly unlimited tears. Just another ordinary day.
I typed another message.
Mama invited us for dinner tomorrow.
The typing indicator appeared, and Reez's reply came shortly afterwards.
Really?
I guess she wants to steal our kids.
I laughed and typed back.
You guessed it right.
His next messages appeared almost immediately.
I gotta go.
I have a meeting soon.
Eat your lunch, and then try to get some rest, okay?
My fingers hovered over the keyboard before I typed my reply.
Okay, hubby.
Happy working.
I love you.
Reez replied almost instantly.
Thank you, honey.
Love you more.
I locked my phone and placed it on the kitchen counter before arranging the food on plates and in serving bowls. Once everything was ready, I carefully carried the dishes to the dining area.
I had prepared my kids' favourite meal: chicken soup with fragrant jasmine rice, accompanied by stir-fried vegetables.
After setting everything on the dining table, I walked towards the kids' playroom and peeked through the half-open door. All three of them were playing together peacefully.
When we first moved into this house, I decided to turn one of the downstairs rooms into a playroom so we could enjoy some quiet time during the afternoons.
The room was a decent size, spacious enough to store their toys and some of their storybooks. I had also placed a thin mattress and a few pillows in one corner, just in case they wanted to take their afternoon naps there instead of going upstairs to their bedroom.
“Kids, it's lunchtime!” I called out.
“Tidy up your toys first, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy!”
They immediately began gathering their toys and placing them back into their boxes before following me out of the playroom towards the dining area.
Lunch was filled with endless chatter as the kids talked excitedly about their plans for the two weeks of school holidays. I listened to their random conversations, occasionally laughing at their ridiculous suggestions.
I hadn't told them about their grandparents' invitation yet. Otherwise, I knew they would be asking me for confirmation every five minutes until tomorrow. Besides, Reez and I had already planned to take them to the waterfall over the weekend.
Once we finished lunch, the kids helped me clear the table and wash the dishes. Afterwards, I asked them to take their showers before settling down for their afternoon naps.
With the children finally settled in their room, I made my way upstairs to my own bedroom.
The moment I stepped inside, an inexplicable sense of uneasiness crept through my body.
I stopped. Something felt wrong. My muscles tensed, and the air inside the room suddenly felt suffocating, almost as though something invisible had wrapped itself around my throat. My heart began beating faster.
I looked around the room, trying to understand what was making me feel that way. Maybe the windows aren't open wide enough. I walked towards the windows and pushed them open a little wider, allowing more fresh air to enter.
But the strange sensation remained. I turned towards the standing fan and twisted the knob to increase its speed before making my way to the bed.
Lying on my back, I stared at the ceiling, watching the fan blades spin steadily above me. The room looked perfectly normal. Nothing seemed out of place. Yet, for some reason, I couldn't shake off the uncomfortable feeling that had settled inside me.
“Maybe I'm just imagining things,” I whispered to myself.
I turned onto my side and reached for Reez's pillow, pulling it close to my chest. His familiar scent still lingered on the fabric. I buried my face in his pillow and inhaled softly. Somehow, it made me feel a little calmer.
The tension in my body gradually eased, and my eyelids grew heavier.
Eventually, I drifted off to sleep.
