'd built something quiet and rare-an intimacy born not from dramatic declarations, but from small, consistent presence. Late-night g

gh. That calm steadiness in him that soothed her hyperactive mind. Seng, on the other hand, had started to look forward to his evenings

g had shifte

skipped a beat when his name lit up her screen. She caught herself dressing up a little wh

and forth on Instagram. A mellow tune filled the silence between th

nds me of peace

Okomani wanted to say,

ery was low. But in truth, she needed a moment to bre

catching

r more than she wa

by memories of a boy who broke her trust and left behind shards she still step

disappear. In fact, the more she tried t

he always did when she couldn't

lk to you," s

e. C

I'll

ds passed.

ath and began typin

ever expected to meet, especially not like this. And I don't

e for a few minutes befo

she a

till holding onto things I haven't let go of. And I don't want to ruin something good by d

wa

g bubble

ppea

ppe

ame hi

nd of

dropped

wasn't going to say it. Not yet.

th

give it to you. But I won't pre

it over

the chat ended with no emoj

ough reels. She didn't fall asleep on call with Seng's voice in her ear. She simply lay in bed

however, had

ning, Okomani's o

bring Reema to my place this weekend? I've got a last-

in a different

s heart

most s

mo

inside her w

lf stepping off a bus in the unfamiliar

d him imp

n your

a few minu

ious

y thing. I have to

to m

hesi

n t

e. Wh

ng parlour by

herself standing outside the gaming parlour, her hands trembling sli

arrived, it al

ervous, shy

than I though

er," he repli

. But they didn't need words. The weeks of virtual connec

afé. Laughed about stupid signs. Talked about games, of course. But mostly, they just watch

their respective hom

pick

t talk muc

music. She

back. A soft indie track

his one,"

ght you

ading songs, falling into sil

at the screen and whisp

I," he

in days, the weight in

dn't have al

ction with Seng was going. But in that moment, wrapped in music and dim v

ing someone isn't abou

about knowing you

h Seng,