It happened on an ordinary afternoon.
Joya was standing near the school gate, flipping through her notebook, pretending to read. In truth, she was only waiting. Waiting without admitting it, even to herself.
Sudom came out with his friends, his bicycle beside him. He looked tired, distracted, as if his mind was somewhere else. Joya felt the familiar tightening in her chest and instinctively took a step back.
She didn't want to be seen.
But fate had other plans.
Sudom stopped suddenly, his eyes scanning the ground. He frowned, then turned around, looking confused. His friends walked ahead, leaving him behind.
Joya noticed it immediately.
Before she could stop herself, she spoke.
"Are you… looking for this?"
Her voice was soft, almost uncertain, as she held up a small notebook lying near the gate.
Sudom looked at her.
For a moment, everything went quiet.
"Yes," he said, surprised. "That's mine."
That was it.
Two simple words.
But to Joya, it felt like something fragile had finally broken open.
She handed him the notebook, her fingers trembling slightly. Their hands brushed for just a second, and she quickly pulled hers back, afraid he might notice.
"Thank you," Sudom said, smiling politely.
Joya nodded. Words failed her. Her heart was beating too fast, her thoughts tangled beyond control.
He didn't say anything else. He picked up his bicycle and rode away, just like every other day.
But this time, something was different.
He had spoken to her.
As Joya stood there, watching him disappear down the road, she realized how dangerous a single moment could be. One word. One glance. One touch.
Because now, hiding her feelings felt harder than ever.
And deep inside, she wondered—
would this be the first and last time he noticed her?