[ A SMILE THAT STAYED]
The next morning, Sahib woke up earlier than usual.
Normally he would take his time getting ready for college, but today something was different. His mind kept thinking about yesterday… about the girl he had seen in the library.
Ayesha.
Even though they had only talked for a few minutes, her calm voice and gentle smile had stayed in his mind all night.
Sahib tried to focus on his morning routine, but every few minutes his thoughts returned to the same moment in the library.
"Why am I thinking about her so much?" he asked himself.
He shook his head and smiled slightly. Maybe it was just curiosity.
After getting ready, Sahib left for college. The streets were busy with students walking in groups, some laughing, some talking loudly, and some rushing because they were already late.
But Sahib walked quietly, as usual.
When he reached the college gate, he looked around without realizing it.
He was searching for someone.
He quickly realized what he was doing and felt a little embarrassed.
"I don't even know if she studies here," he thought.
Classes started soon after. Sahib tried to listen to the lecture, but his attention kept drifting away.
His mind was somewhere else.
After the first class ended, students began leaving the classroom. Some went to the cafeteria, some to the playground, and some to the library.
The library.
That word immediately caught Sahib's attention.
For a moment, he hesitated.
Then he stood up and quietly walked toward the library.
Inside, the same peaceful silence filled the room. Rows of books stood neatly on the shelves, and a few students were reading quietly.
Sahib slowly walked inside, pretending he was searching for a book.
But in reality, he was searching for someone else.
And then he saw her.
Ayesha was sitting at the same table as yesterday.
Her head was slightly lowered as she read a book, and a few strands of her hair fell softly near her face.
For a moment, Sahib just stood there.
He felt a strange mix of happiness and nervousness.
"Should I go and talk to her?" he wondered.
But before he could decide, Ayesha looked up.
Their eyes met for a second.
And then she smiled.
That same gentle smile.
Sahib felt his heart beat a little faster.
He slowly walked toward the table.
"Hi," he said softly.
Ayesha closed her book and smiled again.
"Hi, Sahib."
The fact that she remembered his name surprised him.
"You remember my name?" he asked.
"Of course," she replied calmly. "We met yesterday."
Sahib laughed slightly.
"I thought maybe you forgot."
Ayesha shook her head.
"I don't forget people easily."
For a moment, both of them stayed quiet.
But the silence was not uncomfortable.
It felt peaceful.
Sahib sat down across from her.
"So… what are you reading?" he asked.
Ayesha showed him the book.
"It's a novel," she said. "I like reading stories."
Sahib nodded.
"Me too. Stories are interesting."
Ayesha looked at him with curiosity.
"What kind of stories do you like?"
Sahib thought for a moment.
"Stories that feel real," he said. "Stories that make you feel something."
Ayesha seemed impressed.
"That's a nice answer," she said.
They continued talking for a while.
About books.
About college.
About small everyday things.
The conversation was simple, but for Sahib it felt special.
Time passed quickly, and soon the bell rang for the next class.
Ayesha stood up and picked up her book.
"I should go now," she said.
Sahib nodded.
"Yeah… me too."
They walked out of the library together.
When they reached the hallway, their classes were in different directions.
Ayesha smiled again.
"See you later, Sahib."
Sahib felt a small happiness inside his chest.
"See you."
She walked away slowly, disappearing into the crowd of students.
Sahib stood there for a moment.
For the first time in a long time, he felt something new.
Something warm.
Something quiet.
Something he could not fully understand yet.
He knew only one thing.
Meeting Ayesha again had made his ordinary day feel different.
But what Sahib did not realize was that this small friendship was slowly turning into something deeper.
Something he would not be able to ignore.
Something called love.
And that love had already started growing… silently.
To be continued.....
Chapter 3