Zaleekhah steps out into the early morning calm of her houseboat on the River Thames, the serene waters gently caressing the shore beneath a dark, satin-like sky. Bundled in a fleece jacket and tennis shoes, she takes in the tranquility of the river, an environment that has always been her haven. Her runs, an integral part of her life, have long been seen by her husband as a way for her to escape unresolved emotions from her past. The rhythm of her movements, while familiar, also brings a sense of distance from her personal struggles, allowing her to momentarily disconnect from the complications that linger in her life.

As she begins her run, the cold morning air makes the initial breaths feel sharp and uncomfortable, yet as she continues, her body adapts, moving fluidly along the Chelsea Embankment. She passes a mix of early risers heading to work and others returning from their late-night activities, their paths crossing under the dim light of dawn. As she runs, Zaleekhah reflects on her environmental work, particularly the negative impact of pollution on the River Thames’ ecosystem. Her research has uncovered disturbing findings, like the harmful plastics found in the stomachs of mitten crabs, underscoring the long-lasting damage human activity has inflicted on the environment.

The Thames, once thought to be lifeless, now teems with aquatic life, yet it still suffers from the same urban waste that has plagued it for years. Zaleekhah’s work has taken her to various regions, observing the broader consequences of climate change and the pollution of natural resources. This knowledge brings her closer to understanding the intricate relationship between water and environmental health. Despite humanity’s heavy reliance on water, she is deeply troubled by society’s disregard for this essential resource, which, in its own way, defines the flow of time and life. The realization that water—an irreplaceable resource—is still undervalued and abused weighs heavily on her, pushing her forward in her work.

While running, her mind drifts to memories of her childhood in Turkey. She recalls hiking with her parents through the countryside, feeling safe in their presence and the connection to the natural world around her. However, those nostalgic thoughts quickly shift into anxiety as she recalls the trauma that has since shaped her life, causing an emotional ache that compels her to keep running, lest she be overwhelmed by the painful past she’s tried to leave behind.

By the time Zaleekhah reaches her Uncle Malek’s grand home for dinner, she feels a sense of discomfort settle in. Despite the luxurious surroundings and the comfort they afford, there is a sense of estrangement, a disconnect between her life choices and the expectations placed on her. Uncle Malek, a successful immigrant, represents the very ideals Zaleekhah often feels alienated from, embodying success yet carrying his own inner turmoil about belonging. Their conversation, heavy with family expectations, personal disappointments, and cultural differences, exposes the tension between them. As they talk, she becomes aware of the underlying fears and unresolved issues about her marriage and identity, which linger unspoken, amplifying her sense of displacement.

Though she is surrounded by comfort and familiarity at Uncle Malek’s, Zaleekhah feels like an outsider, caught between the expectations of those around her and her own unresolved questions about who she is. Her thoughts return to her childhood memories and her family dynamics, both of which feel like distant parts of a life she no longer fully inhabits. As she navigates the complexities of familial love, sacrifice, and duty, Zaleekhah is forced to reconcile her past with her present, finding her commitment to the environment and her personal convictions acting as both her anchor and her escape.