Being seen is heavier than being followed.
When someone follows you, they admit intent. Direction. A reason.When you're seen, you carry expectation—and expectation doesn't need permission to multiply.
The city woke earlier than usual.
Not in noise, not in rush, but in attention. Shop shutters rose with measured slowness. Commuters lingered half a second longer at intersections, eyes lifting—not searching for me, but for confirmation.
That things were still allowed to work.
Arjun noticed it as we crossed into the morning flow."They're checking the weather," he muttered."But for behavior."
"Yes," I said."They want to know if yesterday was temporary."
The girl walked close, grounding."And if it wasn't?"
"Then today becomes harder," Aaryan replied.
✦
