The city was louder than usual that morning.
Horn blared, metro trains clattered, people rushed to offices and colleges, but I could barely hear it.
Because all I could think about was her.
Her smile. The way she looked at me for a split second on the bus yesterday. The calm in her eyes while the city went crazy around her.
I didn't even know her name.
And yet, I couldn't stop thinking about her.
Coffee in hand, I walked through the crowd, pretending to scroll on my phone. I knew it was useless—my eyes kept searching, hoping, maybe even expecting, to see her somewhere.
But of course… she wasn't there.
Work was impossible that day. Emails, reports, calls—they all blurred. My colleagues noticed my absent-mindedness. "You okay, Tom?" one asked. I nodded quickly, hiding the truth.
Because the truth was… I wanted to see her again.
During lunch, I went to the small park near my office, the same park I sometimes sat alone in. And there she was.
Sitting on a bench, her bag beside her, reading a book. She looked peaceful. Beautiful, yet completely unaware of anyone around her.
My heart skipped.
I walked slowly, trying to act casual. My hands itched to wave, but what if she thought I was strange?
I stopped a few feet away, pretending to check my phone.
She looked up. Our eyes met.
And suddenly, the world disappeared again.
"Hi," I said, because my voice just slipped out.
She blinked, a little surprised. Then, a small smile appeared. "Hi."
I walked closer. "I… uh… I think we met yesterday on the bus?"
Recognition flickered in her eyes. "Yes. You… helped me when we brushed shoulders?"
"Yeah… I'm Tom," I said, holding out my hand awkwardly.
"Riya," she replied, shaking my hand gently.
That handshake felt longer than it should.
We didn't know what to say next, so we just sat together in silence for a few minutes. The city around us was loud, but near her… everything felt softer.
"I like this park," she said finally. "It's quiet… compared to the rest of the city."
"Yeah," I agreed. "It's the only place where the city feels like it's not running away from itself."
She smiled again. That smile—small, soft, real—stayed in my mind even after I left.
Walking back to my office, I realized something.
I didn't just want to see her again.
I wanted to know her.
Her thoughts. Her dreams. Her fears.
And maybe… if I'm honest… I wanted her to notice me more than just once.
That night, lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling.
I could still see her smile.
I had no idea that one short conversation could start a storm in my heart.
The city never felt smaller.
The city never felt quieter.
And I knew… this was only the beginning.
Episode 3 Hook:
Why does my mind keep finding her in every crowd?
And what would happen if I actually tried to talk to her tomorrow?