The road felt quieter than usual that evening.
Joya stood where she always did, her bag clutched lightly in her hand. She told herself she wouldn't look this time. She would let the moment pass, like she always had.
But when the sound of bicycle wheels reached her ears, her heart betrayed her.
Sudom slowed down as he approached.
For the first time, he stopped.
Joya's breath caught in her throat. She looked up slowly, afraid that if she moved too fast, the moment would disappear.
"Hi," Sudom said.
It was such a simple word. Yet it felt heavier than anything he had ever said to her before.
"Hi," Joya replied, barely above a whisper.
There was an awkward pause. Neither of them seemed sure what to do next. The sky hovered between light and dark, the familiar hour wrapping around them.
"You… you're always here around this time," Sudom said. "I guess I just noticed."
Joya nodded, her fingers tightening around her bag strap. "I walk home this way."
Another pause.
Sudom smiled, a little shy this time. "I'm Sudom."
Her heart skipped.
"I know," she said quickly, then wished she hadn't.
He laughed softly, not unkindly. "Then I should probably know your name too."
"Joya."
He repeated it, slower this time. "Joya."
Hearing her name from his lips felt different now. Closer. More real.
A silence followed, not uncomfortable, just careful. Like both of them were standing on the edge of something they didn't yet understand.
Sudom glanced at his bicycle. "I should go," he said. "It's getting late."
"Yes," Joya replied, though she didn't want the moment to end.
He mounted his bicycle, then hesitated. "I'll… see you tomorrow?"
Joya nodded. "Tomorrow."
As he rode away, Joya stood still, her heart racing. Something had shifted. A small step had been taken, and she knew there was no going back to how things were before.
Because sometimes, all it takes is one step too close to change everything.