Sarah's shock multiplied several times over. Banu could hear her uneven breathing. The woman leaned her back against the wall.
Swaying on her feet, Sarah walked over and sat down in front of the vanity. She stared straight into the mirror before her, her thoughts adrift.
Just two days ago, Kia had still been standing behind Sarah. Yes, right there at the vanity where Sarah was sitting now.
Kia worked as a professional makeup artist. They had met at an event. That day, Kia had done Sarah's makeup. Honestly, Sarah had fallen in love with the work of Kia's hands. She didn't know why, but Kia's makeup felt simple. And she liked it.
"Wow! Your hand is so awesome." That was the first compliment that eventually led to Kia becoming her personal makeup artist. Of course, it didn't happen right away. Kia had refused at first. She said she wanted to do makeup for more celebrities. To Kia, a face was a canvas. Every canvas had different characteristics.
Sarah was still Sarah. She was tough, visionary, and, of course, ambitious. Whatever she wanted, she had to get. Sarah promised that Kia would get to do makeup for more top celebrities if she joined her team. Sarah wouldn't restrict her, but they had to stay in contact. And yes, Sarah got what she wanted.
Sarah had known Kia for a year now. Though "known" was putting it generously, the celebrity knew nothing about Kia's personal life. Kia was quiet. Quieter than Sarah had expected. She spoke only occasionally, when necessary, and even then only about makeup. Sarah chose the theme, and as long as Kia's hands remained magical on her face and followed the theme, there was no problem, even without much small talk.
Sarah knew so little about her that she hadn't even realized Kia was married. Sarah still remembered the first time she learned about Kia's marital status.
"How many days has it been since you pooped, Ki?" It wasn't a jab. Sarah genuinely thought Kia was constipated.
Kia had responded with laughter.
"I'm pregnant, Sis." The answer shocked Sarah. Not only because of the information about her status, but even more because Kia had finally spoken about herself, if only a little.
One day, for some reason, Kia suddenly started talking without being asked. It was a miracle.
"I want to go to the mall, Sis." Her face had lit up as she voiced her wish.
"Then just go to the mall."
Kia's pupils grew misty.
"I want to go with my husband, but he can't."
"Why?"
"I'm the second wife," she said. Her voice sounded hoarse. "I'm tired of being the second wife, but I love my husband. I'm tired of being harassed by his first wife."
Sarah couldn't say anything. All she could do was lend her an ear. Sarah let her empathy take over. Pregnant women really were that fragile; someone who had mostly kept quiet had chosen to open a window draped with the curtains of her life.
Day after day, Kia chattered more and more, but it didn't match the gloomy look on her face.
"Neng, let's go to the funeral home before tonight's event." Banu interrupted.
"The funeral home? You know where her house is, Nu? We don't even know where she lives."
"I know."
"Seriously? How do you know?"
"I once delivered something she'd left behind to her house."
"I can't, Nu. I just remembered that I have a fitting for tonight's event this morning, too."
"Wasn't that the day after tomorrow? You said everything was finished and all that was left was makeup."
"There's still one tiny detail left."
Banu was startled. "Do you have time for this?"
"You also have to find me a new makeup artist. The event can't be postponed just because our makeup artist died."
"Neng, you—"
Banu's words were interrupted by the ringing of Sarah's phone.