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• Luna •

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting. I didn't realize anyone had come inside," Luna said, stepping forward, her heels echoing in the small room.

"That's okay."

She walked around the man and checked her studio's front door. "That explains it. I'd forgotten to set the alarm."

"That's okay," he repeated, watching as she turned her sign in the window.

"I'm sorry. But my photography studio is closed."

"You own this studio?" he asked, ambling toward a wall with aerial photographs hanging on it.

"I do."

"These are amazing."

"Thank you," she said, noticing his eyes traveling along the wall. "You like that one?"

He nodded. "The way you captured Houston is extraordinary. The city looks beautiful in this frame."

"Thank you. I was in a helicopter," Luna said, slightly laughing as a memory of that moment flashed in her mind. "That was the only way I could go high and snap the shot I needed."

"Aerial photography is not easy, but you are a professional, and you have a good eye," he said, catching her gaze.

Taking a step back, Luna laid her items on an end table and turned around to face him. "Were you wanting to get your picture taken?"

He gave her a soft smile and shook his head. "Not right now."

"All right," she whispered. "Don't I know you? Aren't you one of Mera's friends who has come into town to visit her and the family?"

He shook his head. "I don't know who Mera is."

"I thought you probably knew her, and I had seen you at her café once. I assumed—"

"It's okay, miss."

"Right . . ."

Maybe the antique shop next door? she pondered. Or at Farmer's Market?

"Where is Mera from?" he asked her, breaking her thoughts.

Luna was reluctant to share this information with someone, but she figured maybe he'd want to visit Mera's business.

"She is from Pakistan," she answered. "She owns the restaurant across the street."

"The Indian café?"

Luna nodded.

"If she's from Pakistan, why name the restaurant after an Indian name?" he asked, curiously.

"It's to differentiate their style of food from the others on this block. We have an Italian bistro, a seafood place, a French restaurant, a Cajun restaurant, and then her café with Indian dishes. There's a bit of heaven for everyone."

He chuckled. "Is that how you think of the restaurants?"

"Each business sells something different. We never know where our tastebuds will take us," she replied, smiling.

The man's eyes traveled outside the window.

"What can I help you with, sir?"

He quickly turned around.

"I'm Amir Khan, and I'm from Pakistan. This is my first time visiting, and I'm lost."

She smiled. "It's so easy to get lost around here. My name is Luna Carlyle."

"Luna . . . like the moon."

She nodded.

His lips opened a little, showing a brilliant white smile. "How long have you been a photographer?"

Stepping away from the wall and standing next to her camera, she turned her gaze back to him as he took a seat on her stool.

"Since I was younger. My mother bought my first disposable camera when I was four years old, and I'd run around everywhere, taking pictures of everything; objects, people, the environment. Photography was in my bones since birth."

He chuckled. "That sounds like me and science."

"Oh? What do you do at home?"

"I am a geneticist. My job is to conduct experiments all day."

"That sounds fun," Luna said. "I didn't mean that in a bad way. I am intrigued by scientific discoveries. My favorite thing to look at is the moon."

Luna stepped toward the window and peered outside, gazing up at the warm milky glow in the sky, as if the sight of it could light up someone's darkened world. The calm moonlight flooded the street with magnificent light.

"I love the moon," Amir said, his breath dancing on her skin.

Turning her neck, she stared up into his honey-brown eyes and slightly opened her mouth. "The moon is . . . magical."

"I agree," he murmured, goosebumps rising on her limbs.

"How do I know you?"

Keeping his gaze on hers, he uttered, "You know me, because—"

"Mommy?"

Luna broke her gaze and turned toward the hallway, listening for Sarah. "My daughter is calling me. I should check on her."

"You have a daughter?" he asked, and she nodded. "That's lovely."

"Thank you."

"Mommy, who are you talking to?" Sarah asked, standing at the doorway.

"I'm talking to a client," she said, walking towards her.

"I don't see them," Sarah mumbled.

Luna then took her hand and glanced back at Amir, who stood idly by the window.

"You don't see me . . . talking to a client?"

Sarah shook her head.

Oh, God. He's a hallucination.

"Ms. Carlyle . . . "

Luna's heart raced as she hurried both of them back into her office and closed the door.

Sitting Sarah down on the couch, she looked her straight in the eyes, slowly catching her breath. "Listen. No matter what is going on outside this room, do not leave my office. I'm going to turn off the lights in the lobby, and I'll be back."

"Okay, Mommy."

"I won't be long, sweetheart," she said.

Luna stood back up and got a grip on herself. She couldn't be imagining someone again? She couldn't have slipped back into her old self, believing her late ex-boyfriend, who was also Sarah's father, had visited her as someone else?

Sammy can't be here. No. I can't be imagining Sam . . . again.

Breathing in deeply, she stepped outside the office door and paced briskly toward Amir, glaring. "Why are you here?"

"I'm here for you," he replied.

"You can't be here for me. I can't be sick."

Soft tears escaped her eyelids.

"You aren't sick," Amir told her.

"My daughter can't see you," Luna muttered. "You're in my head."

"I'm not in your head," he said, staring into her eyes. "Your daughter can't see me because you and I are connected."

"What?" Luna exclaimed.

"I'm not trying to hurt you, Ms. Carlyle. I'm trying to show you who we are to one another."

A moment later, their surroundings changed from her photography studio to Amir's backyard. Her pulse beat so loudly in her ears that it blocked out all other sounds. A heavy feeling settled inside her stomach, and a small gasp escaped her lips.

Luna's eyes couldn't stay still. This sudden transition had made her muscles tense. Stepping away from him, she peered up to the sky and stared at the blazing midday sun as it shone brilliantly on the city down below.

"What's going on?"

"Our souls are tethered to each other," he explained. "We can communicate subconsciously and transition into one another's environment telepathically."

She scoffed. "Do you even hear yourself?"

"I know this is a sudden change for you,
but you don't have to be afraid," Amir told her.

"Where is this place?"

"We are in my backyard in Islamabad."

"In Pakistan?"

He nodded. "We are from an unknown species who have powers."

She shook her head. "I'm sick. I'm definitely sick."

"I can imagine this is a lot to take in, but hear me out," he urged her.

"No! This is crazy!"

"It may not seem possible, but it is. I understand how you're feeling because I was the same way when my cousin showed me."

She gaped. "There are others like us?"

"Yes, there are," he answered. "I don't have all the answers you're searching for, but there are humans who have the same abilities as us."

"I think I need to get back on my medication," she remarked. "I have to find another doctor."

"You're okay, Ms. Carlyle."

"Why are you messing with me?"

"I'm not."

"This is crazy," she said. "You're part of my imagination."

"We are connected, Luna."

"Then, where did we originate from? There must be some explanation for that," she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I'm not sure. Luckily, I have a team in my research laboratory, and we work tirelessly on finding out everything we can about our genes."

Appearing back into her studio, she murmured, "How did we end up back here?"

"Our souls can transition at any moment."

This cannot be happening.

"I don't understand how I've had this power in me my whole life and never knew it. I'm confused," she croaked, her voice cracking.

"I understand how you're feeling. You should've seen me when I found out. Faisal had to talk me down, for a good five hours."

They both chuckled as the clouds rumbled above the Louisiana sky, the lightning striking down and illuminating a brilliant pathway in the middle of the street.

"What we just did really happened?" she asked, and Amir nodded. "You're a real person?"

"The last time I checked, I was," he said, and her face fell. "That was a joke. A bad one. Sorry."

"You were never a customer needing help," she mumbled.

I traveled to his backyard in another country?

"Not this time. But I am sure I would have thought the same thing if I were you."

"What about connecting to others with the same genetic ability?" She moved a strand of her brown hair behind her shoulder, keeping her gaze on his.

"You will meet more of us when the time comes, but we normally see each other when it is close to our birthday."

"It's like a birthday present."

"That's one way of looking at it," he said, leaning against the wall.

How did I not know about this phenomenon?

Keeping her breathing steady, the anxiety she built up ran through her body; a feeling so potent and vibrant, that it was like touching a taser on the tip of her finger.

"I'm shocked that by July seventh of next year, I'll meet more people like us."

"Is that your birthday?" he asked, and she nodded. "That is also my birthday. It may seem like it's a long time from now, but that's what happens with our kind. We don't have the choice of who we meet, who we are paired with, or the moment we enter their life. But we'll always be here for one another."

"That doesn't sound too bad," she said, breathing in deeply. "I wonder how it is with other people. This must be alarming for them, too."

He nodded. "It is. Some pairs don't get along at all."

Really?

"Why not?" she asked.

"Well, few people in the world have a certain prejudice for others. And one partner may not care for their companion. You're different. I can sense that you're . . . opened-minded."

"I try to be. I don't believe I should think poorly of others who are different than myself. We all have a journey we take in life, and struggles we endure."

He smiled. "That's an amazing quality to have. I'd like to get to know you better."

"Okay," she said. "This is new for me."

"I understand."

So, I'm not losing my mind.

Or maybe I am?

"What city is this? Are we somewhere in Canada?"

Luna laughed and shook her head. "Not quite. This is New Orleans, Louisiana."

"America?"

He didn't know he was in New Orleans?

"Yes. Only a small part of it. I'm at the end of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter."

"Oh, I've heard a lot about this area and have always wanted to visit. I'm not a fan of crowds or parades, but I am intrigued by the concept of Mardi Gras."

She snickered. "Why did you think you were in Canada?"

"Oh, my cousin's partner is from Toronto."

Oh, he must've thought he connected to another Canadian.

"That's cool."

She smiled and stood next to him at the window, as they eyed the crowd of people partying on a Saturday night.

"It's so busy out there," he said, observing the packed area. "How can anyone breathe?"

"I know, right? But you should wait until daylight. I'll give you a tour."

"That would be amazing, Luna." He grinned. "I must say, you seem to be more at ease about learning who you are."

It's not easy.

She wished she could tell Amir about her past, but it would be too much information right away. This transition was still a lot to process for her.

"I'm trying. Inside my skin, it's like a firecracker going off. None of this seems real, but I need to accept it. My genetics won't ever change."

He nodded.

"On a side note, I'm glad to know you're real. If you were part of my imagination . . ." She sniffed.

Please, don't be my imagination. Sam can't be visiting me through you.

"I understand. I've had five months to adjust to my changes, and I'm sure it's overwhelming for you."

Just then, Chase's car pulled up while he was on a phone call. Luna stepped around Amir and walked toward the door.

"My fiancé is here. After we drop Sarah off with his mother, we're going to meet our friends for drinks."

"Oh. That sounds entertaining."

"I'm guessing you probably don't drink alcohol, huh?" she inquired.

"No. I abstain from it."

Interesting. Our lifestyles are so different.

"I mostly drink when I need to unwind after a long day. Chase, on the other hand . . ."

"His name is Chase?" he asked, and she nodded. "And your daughter's name is Sarah?"

"Yes, that is my family." Luna shot a glance outside and turned back to Amir. "He is done with his phone call now. I guess we will talk later."

"Sure. I'll see you soon, Ms. Carlyle."

"Until next time," she whispered. "I know we're several time zones apart, but we will —"

"Figure it out, together," they both said in unison.

Did we just say that at the same time?

A hard knock broke their connection, and Luna gradually opened the door, allowing Chase to step inside.

"Hey, Lu," he said, giving her a soft peck on the cheek.

"Hey. I was about to get Sarah. She'll be excited to see you," she told him, locking her fingers with his.

"Same here. And what about my soon-to-be wife? Are you happy to see me?"

Of course. You're my fiancé.

Luna smiled his way. "Always."

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Thank you all for reading! 💫

Chapter One of the older version has Amir and Luna's first meeting. It is altered quite a bit in this chapter.