Vihaan hadn't stopped thinking about her.
The way she disappeared into the night felt like déjà vu, like a story repeating itself. But that was absurd. He didn't believe in fate or past lives—just coincidences and logic. Yet, something about her lingered in his mind, like a song he had heard once but couldn't quite remember.
Days passed, then weeks. He drowned himself in work, late-night shifts at the bookstore, early morning classes. Life moved forward as it always did.
Until, once again, it didn't.
A Festival, A Glimpse
It was the annual cultural festival—an event the city was known for. The streets were decorated with vibrant lanterns, laughter filled the air, and the scent of street food wove through the crowds. Vihaan hadn't planned to attend, but Aryan had dragged him out, claiming he needed a break.
"You work too much, bro. Enjoy life for once!" Aryan said, shoving a skewer of grilled chicken into Vihaan's hand.
Vihaan rolled his eyes but took a bite anyway. They wandered through the festival, taking in the sights, when suddenly—
His steps faltered.
Through the throng of people, past the colorful stalls and moving figures, he saw her.
The girl from the café.
She stood near a lantern display, reaching up to tie a small note onto a wishing tree. The golden glow lit up her face, and for a moment, everything else blurred.
Vihaan's heart kicked against his ribs.
Aryan followed his gaze. "Bro? You good?"
"I—" Vihaan hesitated. "I think I know her."
Aryan raised an eyebrow. "You sure? Or is this one of those 'she looks familiar' things?"
Vihaan didn't answer.
Instead, he took a step forward.
The girl finished tying her note and turned. Their eyes met.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then, a flicker of recognition passed over her face.
She knew him too.
Vihaan opened his mouth, about to say something, when—
A group of festival-goers rushed between them, momentarily blocking his view.
By the time they passed, she was gone.
Vihaan spun, searching.
But she had vanished into the festival crowd, leaving only the note she had tied to the tree swaying in the night breeze.
A Name Left Behind
Vihaan stepped closer, drawn to the small piece of paper fluttering among the others.
He reached out, plucking it carefully.
His breath caught as he read the name at the bottom of the note.
"Myra."
A name that felt like a memory.
Like something he should have known all along.