The grand city mall was crowded—lights flashing, perfumes mixing in the air, people rushing for sales—but Kiya walked through it all as if none of it touched her.
Her steps were calm, controlled, almost too mature for a girl her age.
She wasn't smiling.
She wasn't excited.
She was simply… there.
She stopped near a display of journals, running her fingers lightly over the covers, her mind somewhere far away from the noise.
Across the floor, someone else stopped too.
Vivek.
He had been laughing with his friends near the escalator, not paying attention to anything—until his eyes landed on her.
The moment he saw Kiya, his voice died mid-sentence.
Something about her stillness in the middle of chaos pulled him in.
He stepped forward without realizing it, his expression changing from casual boredom to deep curiosity.
"Who is she…?"
The thought hit him sharply.
Kiya didn't notice him.
She turned to walk toward the next section, brushing her hair away from her face.
Before she could take another step, a small kid suddenly ran across her path, bumping her shoulder. Kiya lost her balance for a second—
A steady hand caught her arm.
"Hey… careful."
She looked up.
Yash.
There was a gentleness in his eyes, the type that made people feel safe without trying.
Kiya straightened immediately.
"I'm fine," she said, her tone flat but not rude.
Yash raised his hands slightly, showing he meant no harm.
"Alright. Just didn't want you to fall."
From far behind, a woman's voice shouted:
"Yash! Come help us choose!"
He turned halfway but looked at Kiya once more, this time with a faint, curious smile.
She didn't return the smile.
She simply turned away.
But before she could walk further, someone blocked her path.
Vivek.
He hadn't moved from his spot until she came closer. Now he stood directly in front of her, eyes locked on her face as if trying to memorize her.
Kiya's brows tightened a little.
"Yes?"
His voice was low, almost fascinated.
"You're… new here? Haven't seen you around."
Kiya shifted slightly, keeping her distance.
"I don't think that matters."
Vivek's lips curved into a slow smirk.
"Maybe not. Still… interesting to see someone like you here."
"Someone like me?" Kiya replied, unimpressed.
Vivek didn't break eye contact.
"Quiet. Different."
Kiya stepped to the side.
"I prefer staying that way."
And with that, she walked past him, not once looking back.
But Vivek did.
He turned, watching her until she disappeared behind a row of mannequins. His eyes narrowed—not in anger, but in deep interest… the kind that never ends well.
Meanwhile, Yash glanced over his shoulder again, noticing Vivek's stare.
A strange feeling tugged at him.
"Why is he watching her like that…?"
He didn't know it yet,
but in that crowded mall,
three lives had quietly collided—
and nothing would stay simple anymore.