Scene opens on a busy evening street.
The air is filled with the smell of roasted corn, hawkers calling out their wares, and the distant honking of buses. The sun is low, casting a warm glow over the bustling road.
Maya walks slowly, carrying a nylon bag of groceries. Her thoughts drift back to Clinton his laugh, his teasing, his soft words. A shy smile spreads across her face.
Suddenly, she spots him ahead on the sidewalk. Clinton is walking beside a young woman, their steps close, their laughter mingling easily. The girl's hand brushes against his arm, and Clinton doesn't pull away.
Maya stops dead in her tracks. Her grip on her grocery bag tightens. The scene plays before her like something out of a dream turned nightmare.
For a moment, Maya couldn't breathe. The closeness between them was too obvious, too comfortable.
Clinton and the girl reach a junction. The girl adjusts her bag, smiles warmly at him, and waves before heading down another street. Clinton watches her leave, then turns and freezes when his eyes land on Maya.
Clinton : [surprised, then smiling quickly] Maya! Hey!
[He raises a hand, waving casually as if nothing unusual had just happened. Maya forces herself to walk closer, her face carefully composed.]
Maya :[quietly, almost cautiously] Hi... Clinton.
They stand face-to-face now, the air between them thick with unspoken questions. Clinton scratches the back of his neck, trying to keep his tone light.
Clinton: [grinning, a little too fast] What are the odds? Bumping into you here.
Maya [hesitating, then blurting] Who was she?
Clinton blinks, his grin faltering for the briefest second. Then, smoothly, he laughs.
Clinton: [shrugging] Oh... her? She's just a friend. Nothing serious.
Maya studies his face carefully, trying to read him. His eyes are steady, his smile relaxed, but something in her gut twists.
Maya :[forcing a small smile] Just a friend, huh?
Clinton : [nodding confidently] Yeah. You know me I've got plenty of friends. Don't let your mind run wild.
Maya chuckles lightly, but it doesn't reach her eyes. As they continue walking side by side, Clinton talks casually about random things, while Maya remains quiet her thoughts loud, her heart unsettled.
She wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe the smile, the easy tone, the casual words. But deep down, Maya knew... friends don't always look at each other like that.
Curtains falls out.