I'm grace, a 16 years old girl who's life is so simple and predictable...after my evening tuition I often go to my dad's store..He's a professor but he also runs a store where he does all the online businesses, printing and some other works...It was a routine, one I had grown used to.But then Asher came into my life. He was older, quiet, and focused on his work.. We never really talked but that day when dad went out for a walk we talked... for the first time!! He was kinda late, but I didn’t think so much about that and started doing my homeworks.. he came and sat on his sit,his eyes scanning the room before they landed on me. He hesitated for a moment before speaking...

"hey where's your dad?" he asked.. I was kinda surprised by the question... We had never really had a full conversation before, and I didn't know what to say at first. But I answered anyway, trying to sound casual..."He's out for a little walk I guess..he'll be back soon "..." Oh.. okay... I’ve seen him here every time I come by. It’s weird not seeing him around." Asher nodded slowly, his gaze still on me...I shrugged off and started doing my homework again.."Must get lonely here when he’s not around, huh?" Asher asked, his voice quiet but sincere...I wasn’t sure how to answer. I wasn’t used to people asking me personal questions, especially someone like Asher. But for some reason, I felt comfortable enough to share...."Not really...I'm actually used to this now..It's not that bad for me " I replied, glancing down at my homework....Asher looked thoughtful for a moment, then shrugged. "I guess it’s good that you don’t mind being on your own. I mean... I work here most evenings too, and it’s quiet, but it’s not really lonely."

His words hung in the air for a moment, and for the first time, I felt like maybe Asher wasn’t just some quiet stranger who worked here. Maybe, just maybe, we had something in common. But before I could dwell on the thought, my dad walked in, and the moment passed.....

As the days passed, I began to notice that our conversations became more frequent. Every time my dad went for his walk, Asher and I would talk. It started off small—simple questions, casual observations. But gradually, the conversations became more personal, and I found myself looking forward to them, even if it was just a few minutes of talking about random things...Like one time when dad went out... Asher and I was working on our works, he told me to pass some papers which was beside me so I passed it after taking it he told me to give him my hand..I became confused and asked "Why?".. He said.... " Just give it" after saying he paused, looking at me curiously, before holding his hand out in front of me

I hesitated for a moment, but before I could stop myself, I placed my hand in his. He gently measured it, his fingers lightly brushing against my skin as he compared our hands. The contact felt strange, but not uncomfortable. It was almost as if the moment stretched out for a little while...His gaze met mine briefly, and I felt my cheeks flush. His hand was warm, his grip steady but careful... "Looks like you’ve got a lot of growing to do, You're so skinny too try to eat more kiddo"... he said with a small smile. I nodded, feeling the heat of his touch still lingering on my hand even after he pulled it away. For a second, I couldn’t speak. It was a simple gesture, but it left me feeling… different...

After that day, each evening felt like an agreement... my father would go out, agreement—my dad would go out, I would rush to come in the store to talk to Asher and we would find ourselves in our own little world...One evening,when I couldn’t solve a tricky math problem. He came in the store and sat beside me as usual... He watched me for a moment before leaning in.

"Need help?" He asked, his voice low and gentle...I glanced up, surprised "You can solve this?" I asked..He chuckled softly before replying , "I can try"..

I shifted my notebook toward him.. and he leaned closer, his arm brushing against mine... My heart skipped a beat..As he explained the solution, his voice remained steady and patient, I found myself focusing less on the math and more on the way his presence felt so natural and comforting...

" see? It's not that hard".. He said, smiling as he handed the notebook back to me. I smiled back "Thanks you made it a lot easier ".

Our eyes met for a brief moment, and I felt a connection, unspoken but undeniable. It was in the small gestures, the quiet moments that lingered just a bit too long.

As the days turned into weeks, these moments became the highlight of my routine. But with every passing day, a little part of me wondered—what did Asher see in me? Was I just a little kid to him, or did he notice the way my eyes lit up when he spoke?...I wanted to know his feelings for me too badly.. but I was too scared to ask, too afraid to ruin whatever it was that we had.....

One evening, when I gathered all my courage to ask something that had been on my mind for a while...But before I can start he asked me If I was going in the Festival that was going to be hold tomorrow.. I said yes..His eyes lit up for a moment, and he gave a small nod. "Great!! Maybe I'll see you there," he said, his voice holding a hint of excitement.

My heart skipped a beat. The thought of seeing him outside the familiar walls of the store made my chest tighten with both nervousness and anticipation. "Yeah, maybe," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, though inside, I was already imagining what it would be like...That night, I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about the festival, about seeing Asher there. I wondered if things would feel different outside the store... if we’d talk more.... laugh more... The thought made me both excited and anxious...

The next day, I dressed carefully..choosing an outfit that felt just right... As I walked to the festival, the air was filled with the sounds of laughter, music and the smell of food wafting through the streets. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for him, my heart beating a little faster with each passing minute...

The hours passed, and there was no sign of him....soon after the excitement turned into worry.. I wandered through the festival, trying to enjoy the lights and sounds, but my mind kept drifting back to him. Where was he? Why hadn’t he come?

By the time the festival started winding down, I could feel the weight of disappointment...I waited for a little long hoping that he might still show up. But as the lights dimmed and the crowd thinned, I realized he wasn’t coming...I walked home that night, my heart heavy... I couldn’t understand why he hadn’t shown up. Had he forgotten?..

The next day, when I went to the store, he wasn’t there.... Days passed, and he didn’t show up. It was as if he had vanished. The silence was deafening, the empty seat where he used to sit a constant reminder of what could have been....

4 years have passed..I’m 20 now. But even after all these years, I still find myself holding onto the fragments of what we shared, wondering if he remembers me the way I remember him...

___________________THE END_______________________