**A Week Later:**

The right way to live isn’t by inhabiting someone else’s body.

I wasn’t truly living before, so why am I so angry now?

I wasn’t living at all.

Yet, I watch my body wither away day by day, and my hope of waking up fades more with each passing moment. My vital signs are stable, my heartbeat is normal, my breathing is steady—so why can’t I wake up? I asked my mom, the doctor, the nurses; I even asked Melo, but no one had an answer. All they could say was to hold on to hope. But they don’t realize I’ve already used up my chance. I’m alive now, and expecting another miracle seems scientifically impossible. That’s the only conclusion I could reach after all the thinking and effort I’ve put into grasping the reality of my situation.

I worked tirelessly until I reached the age of eighteen, and my efforts finally paid off. But now, I find myself powerless. In this situation, striving feels pointless; all that’s left for me to do is pray.

Yet, at least now, I am loved by everyone—not as Nermin, but as Marian.

I had to adjust to my new reality. I didn’t want to raise any suspicions, especially since my personality and Marian’s couldn’t be more different. I see no similarities between us. I even began to question her sanity when she tried to get close to me, wanting to make me her friend. How can water be friends with fire? How can a gazelle walk alongside a tiger? It’s absurd, isn’t it?

I spent my days sleeping in Marian’s house, doing my best to avoid encountering Melo and keeping my conversations with her parents brief and superficial to prevent them from discovering my secret too soon. I just needed more time because I realized that this situation was temporary, and I didn’t want to make any changes in her life while I was living it. However, things became more difficult after a week had passed since the incident. Her parents started asking questions, and my sick leave was over, so I had to return to school tomorrow. Living her life became essential if I wanted to continue pretending to be her. But every time I moved or spoke, I felt a deep sense of guilt. It was like driving a stolen car—how could I ever feel comfortable or at peace when I was constantly at risk of being exposed? I didn’t know much about her; maybe she was allergic to something, maybe she despised a certain food, maybe she smiled when she said good morning. How could I know? It’s these little details that set us apart as individuals.

My mind finally shut down, and I fell asleep.

But usually, my thoughts never stop racing, leaving me with a splitting headache by the end of the day.

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I think about everything, trying to avoid being caught off guard by anything.

I woke from my dreams as Nermin to the sound of Marian's mother knocking. She opened the door, came in, and approached me, saying, "Dear, good morning. I hope you slept well. Your father and I are wondering if you feel up to going to school today. We’ve reviewed your sick leave, and we can extend it if you still need more rest."

Her parents are so kind and gentle; they spoil her a lot. It explains her warm and generous nature.

I don’t know what Marian would have decided, but as for me, I was tired of this confinement I’d been in for a week. I wanted to go back to school; maybe I’d find some answers. There’s no point in sitting around, waiting for the day I wake up. I need to take action.

I replied, "No, I'm fine. I can go to school today."

Her mother suddenly lit up, a big smile spreading across her face. "Great! Then get ready quickly. We’re waiting for you at the breakfast table. We’ll eat together with Melo, and then he’ll take you to school."

She rushed out, leaving me in a state of confusion once again. Marian was always so organized; her hair was always styled, and her clothes were neat and clean. I managed to sort out the clothing situation since everything was hanging in the closet, ready to go. But when it came to my hair, I felt lost. I wasn’t used to leaving it down like she did, and doing so would only make me feel even more out of place. So, I decided to do what I usually did with my own hair. A ponytail would have to do for now since I didn’t want to keep them waiting—they were expecting me.

I went downstairs and made my way to the dining room, where a long, wide table split the room in half. Her father sat at the head of the table, her mother to his left, and Melo to his right.

I did my best to avoid making eye contact with him. The last time he came, I pretended to be asleep and made him leave. He knows Maryan very well, and I feared he might see through my disguise just by looking into my eyes.

I greeted them and sat down. The table was laden with food, and I wasn’t sure where to start, so I decided to watch Melo and mimic his every move. If he picked up a glass of juice, I did the same. If he started eating eggs with toast, I would do the same, even though I preferred milk with a piece of toast and a spoonful of strawberry jam. The spread was delicious and varied, but I kept my excitement in check and acted indifferent, even claiming I was done after just a single bite.

The three of them looked at me in surprise and then exchanged glances. I felt a tension that was worse than when the exam clock is ticking down and I still have so much left to solve.

None of them said a word, which only made things more uncomfortable. Suddenly, Melo wiped his mouth and said, "I’m done too. Thank you for the meal, ma'am."

Her mother replied, "You're welcome, dear. But are you sure you’re finished? Marian can take her time; she’s still not feeling well and hasn’t been eating much lately. It’s okay if you want to finish your food."

I glanced at Melo, and he met my gaze, then smiled and said, "I know, but I have a lot on my plate today, so it’s better if we leave early. You don’t mind, do you, Marian?"

I looked at her mother, who cheerfully answered on my behalf, "Of course, she doesn’t mind. Work is important, after all. Come on, Marian, don’t keep the young man waiting."

I didn’t quite understand what was happening; her behavior was puzzling. She was giving him a lot of importance. She almost slapped me in the hospital when I told her that I went to see Nermin, but she quickly composed herself when Melo entered the room and calmed down immediately. I thought her anger was out of concern for her daughter and that my going out without her permission had worried her. That would have made sense, but the speed with which she calmed down was what I found really hard to grasp.