Star sank onto the edge of her bed, the weight of the past few days pressing into the mattress beneath her. Then it struck her—Mom. She hadn't called last night like she'd promised herself. Guilt prickled at her throat.
She grabbed the crumpled letter from her nightstand, fingers tracing the inked numbers before dialing. The line crackled once, twice—
"Hello?"
Her mother's voice. Really hers. Star's breath caught.
"Mom, is… is that you?" The words stumbled out, raw with hope.
A sharp inhale on the other end. "Star?" Louisa's voice trembled, a heartbeat given sound.
"Mom, I miss you!" Star clutched the phone tighter, as if she could bridge the miles between them through sheer will.
For seven seconds, there was only silence—then a wet sniff.
"Mom, are you okay?" Star's chest tightened.
"I'm fine, khana," Louisa whispered. "Just… hearing your voice. It's like the sun after a storm. Are you safe?"
"Yes. And I'm so glad you are too." Star exhaled, relief pooling in her ribs. "You're my only hope. I can't lose you."
"You kept your promise." Louisa's smile carried through the phone. "The officers here—especially Rudra—said you'd be proud. But, Star… how did I get here? Ah, mntanam, it's a long story."
"Tell me," Star urged, curling her knees to her chest.
Louisa's voice darkened. "Tomas saw you leave that day. He was furious. This time, I fought back. But the next morning…" A pause, the memory thick as tar. "He tied me up. Took me to Frieda's. Emptied our home. Threatened to punish me for letting you return."
Star's nails bit into her palm. "Was Frieda there?"
"No. But they'd planned—" Louisa swallowed. "Later, Frieda came. Brought food. Apologized. Star, I think she's trapped too. She said… the twins' birth would bring Tomas misfortune. A seer told her—their hatred for you is poisoning everything."
Star's spine straightened. "I told him! If he'd just repent, truly—"
"How did you know that?" Louisa's question hung in the air.
"I don't know." Star frowned. "These… truths just come to me. Like a gift."
"Mm. I love you, mntanam."
"Love you too. But keep going—after Frieda apologized?"
"She untied me. Gave me N$3000. Said it wasn't refundable." A watery chuckle. "Sent me north. Not to Ma-Leila's, but… home."
"God bless Frieda," Star murmured.
"Rudra told me about the Davids. Your prayers were answered."
"And yours, Mom. Don't worry about me—focus on your business. I'll study. We'll rise."
Louisa's tone sharpened. "Be careful there, Star. They're strangers. Stay out of drama."
"I'm not a child," Star countered, though warmth flickered at her mother's worry.
"I know. But… how's the baby? Kicking yet?"
"Just an embryo, Mom."
A beat. Then, softly: "You haven't told me about the father."
Star's blood turned to ice. "That's… a story for another day. I have to go—"
"Star." Louisa's voice gentled. "Twenty years I've known you. I see the storm in your silence. But I won't push. That day will come."
Star's throat closed. "Okay, Mom."
"Remember—stars don't dim."
"I know. Love you. Bye."
The call ended. Star pressed a hand to her belly, voice barely a breath. "You hear that, Steffy? We're stars. And stars shine."