Haruv turned on the shower. 

The water hissed to life.
Steam filled the room as he stepped under the spray, letting the heat wash off the dust and exhaustion. His muscles ached, but his mind wouldn’t quiet down.

The girl came back to his thoughts.
That soft nod. 

Her eyes…  they weren’t strange. 

They were… calm.

He leaned back beneath the water.
“Was I rude?” he wondered, the question echoing only in his head.

A pause.
He shook it off.
“Ugh. Whatever. She’s a human anyway.”

He closed his eyes.
But the image of her stayed there — longer than he wanted.

The sky outside had turned a soft gold, melting into deep blue as evening folded over the city.

…..

Ashi had stepped onto her small balcony, a cup of warm tea in her hands.
She took a slow sip, letting the steam warm her face, her body still heavy from the day’s weight.

The street below was quiet now. Kids had gone home, shops were closing.
Only the wind moved freely, brushing past her hair as she leaned slightly against the railing.

Her gaze wandered without meaning to.
And there it was again — his house.
The one across the street. The one that hadn’t belonged to anyone… until yesterday.

…..

Inside, Haruv stepped out of the shower.

His hair damp, skin still glistening with the last traces of water.
He pulled a loose shirt over his head, walked toward the window, and pushed it open.

A gust of cool air rushed in — and in that exact moment,

his eyes landed on her.