With the Tome still clutched in hand, Kaivan hurried forward. His steps crunched lightly over gravel, every stride laced with resolve. As he neared, he saw Zinnia scrambling to gather her belongings in haste, her movements tinged with weariness.
Kaivan stopped a respectful distance away, careful not to loom. In a calm, polite tone, he asked, "Are you alright, miss?"
Zinnia didn't respond right away. She continued fumbling with her things, letting out a small sigh before finally muttering in a flat voice, "I'm fine."
Watching her struggle, Kaivan crouched down, intending to help pick up the scattered items. But before his hand could touch anything, Zinnia's voice cut sharply through the air.
"If you touch my stuff, I'll scream thief."
Kaivan froze, his hand suspended awkwardly midair. The atmosphere thickened, heavy with tension he couldn't quite name. Inside, he wondered what had driven Zinnia to such raw defensiveness.
Carefully, he drew his hand back, his voice soft but steady. "I only wanted to help."
"I don't need help from anyone." Her tone was cold, though beneath it there was the faintest tremor, barely perceptible.
So Kaivan remained there, crouched and bewildered, staring at her. How had a simple gesture of kindness turned into this strange confrontation?
Zinnia, meanwhile, stubbornly continued to pick up her belongings, though it was obvious she was struggling. Each time she bent to reach for something near the river's edge, her body swayed, almost tipping over. Yet still, she refused, unyielding, unwilling to accept help, least of all from a man.
One look at Zinnia left Kaivan with a swirl of conflicting emotions. There was a strange sense of admiration rising within him. Even though she had flatly rejected his offer to help, he could sense a quiet strength buried beneath her exterior, Zinnia was showing the world that she could stand on her own, without relying on anyone.
Suddenly, the sharp sound of hurried footsteps broke through his thoughts. From the opposite side, Zinnia appeared again. She looked flustered, almost desperate, and when their eyes met, her gaze cut like a blade.
"You're the one who stole my wallet when I fell, aren't you!" she snapped without hesitation.
Kaivan froze, shocked by the accusation. His calm expression drained of color, disbelief written all over his face. His lips parted as if to speak, but for a moment his tongue refused to move. Finally, in a voice softer than usual, he managed, "How could I have taken your wallet? I never even came close to you when you fell."
But Zinnia remained stubborn. Her eyes stayed fixed on him, burning with suspicion, as if daring him to deny her claim. "Then who else could it be? My wallet couldn't just vanish into thin air!"
Kaivan drew in a deep breath, steadying himself. If he lost his temper, things would only spiral further. Keeping his tone calm, he said, "We need to figure out what really happened. Maybe it slipped somewhere nearby."
Zinnia shook her head sharply. Her long hair swung with the force of the motion, reflecting the storm inside her. "I fell right here, when my sandal strap broke. So my wallet has to be around here!" Her voice rose with frustration as she jabbed a finger toward the spot.
Kaivan shifted his gaze around them, scanning the ground carefully. His eyes swept across the bridge until something unusual caught his attention, down by the riverbank, half hidden in the mud, was a small object out of place. He pointed toward it. "Look, could that be your wallet down there?"
Zinnia followed his finger. Her brows furrowed, hesitation flashing across her face. Then, all at once, her cheeks flushed red. A rush of shame spread across her expression as the truth dawned on her. Her accusation had been baseless. She stood frozen for a beat, staring at the wallet with a conflicted look of relief and guilt.
Kaivan let out a quiet sigh of relief. A faint, wry smile tugged at his lips. With a light tone, he quipped, "Seems like your wallet wanted to go for a swim."
Zinnia glanced up at him, her eyes glistening faintly. She opened her mouth, but only a single word came out. "Sorry…"
Kaivan shook his head slowly. "It's fine," he replied gently. "I understand. Anyone would panic in that situation." But the problem wasn't over yet. Zinnia's eyes lingered on her wallet, soggy and lying just out of reach. She bit her lip, hesitating, before murmuring, "So… can you get it for me?"
Without a word, Kaivan swung his bag forward, pulling out a coil of rope. With practiced hands, he tied it securely to one of the bridge's sturdy posts. His movements were quick and precise, carrying the air of someone used to overcoming obstacles. Zinnia watched from close by, her expression wavering between awe and confusion.
As Kaivan began his careful descent along the side of the bridge, Zinnia couldn't hold back her voice. "Be careful," she called.
He glanced back just long enough to flash her a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine," he answered calmly, then continued down.
Every step was deliberate, his body balanced and steady against the slick surface. The rope was firm in his grip, the wind tugging at his hair as he moved downward with unwavering focus. His eyes locked on the wallet below, unshaken by the challenge.
At last, he reached the riverbank. Moving cautiously, he bent down to pick up the soaked wallet, making sure nothing valuable slipped out. Relief spread across his face as he raised it high, holding it aloft for Zinnia to see.
"Got it!"
Up on the bridge, Zinnia felt warmth bloom in her chest, a rush of gratitude washing over her. For the first time, she no longer saw Kaivan as just a stranger, he was someone genuine, someone she could trust.
When Kaivan climbed back up, his steps remained steady despite the water dripping from his clothes. Standing before Zinnia, he silently handed her the wallet. Yet the gentle smile on his face said far more than words ever could.