Episode 1: A Stranger Who Felt Familiar

I have always believed that life doesn’t give you choices… it gives you responsibilities.

Being the only hope of my parents was never a burden I complained about, but it was something I carried silently every single day. Middle-class dreams aren’t loud. They don’t demand. They just wait… patiently… hoping one day, things will get better.

And maybe that’s why I never learned how to ask for anything.

Not love.

Not comfort.

Not even someone to listen.

To the world, i was strong, independent, and focused.

But deep down I need someone with whom I can share my feelings.

Today is a very important day for me.

I was running late for my job interview — the one opportunity I couldn’t afford to lose. My mind was full of worries, my steps faster than usual, and my heart… heavier than ever.

I didn’t know that in my hurry, I was about to meet something I had been running from for years.

A dog.

My body froze the moment I saw it.

It wasn’t just fear… it was a memory.

A memory I had tried so hard to forget.

For a second, it felt like my past was happening all over again. My chest tightened, and my breath became uneven as the image from my childhood flashed in my mind.

I was just a little girl back then…

when a dog bit me.

I still remember the pain, the screams, the panic.

Even now… the mark remains on my leg.

A small scar, but a constant reminder that some fears never really leave you.

But before I could move away, the dog suddenly ran towards me.

And I panicked.

Everything happened so fast. I lost my balance and fell on the ground, my heart pounding loudly in my chest.

“Don’t… please… please don’t bite me…”

For a moment… I wasn’t here anymore.

I looked up, but only for a second.

A stranger stood there, worried, holding the leash of the dog that had terrified me. He offered his hand, trying to help me up.

He stepped closer, extending his hand towards me.

“Are you okay?”

But I didn’t take it.

I couldn’t.

Not because I didn’t need help…

But because I didn’t have time.

I could feel the bruise forming on my leg, a dull pain spreading slowly.But didn’t have time to look at it.

So , I stood up on my own and walked away, ignoring the pain, the fear… and him.

I didn’t know his name.

I didn’t know who he was.

And I don't think I will ever meet him again.

Will I meet him again.....?

She disappeared into the crowd before the question even settled in her mind.

From where he stood, the man didn’t move for a long moment. His eyes stayed fixed on the direction she ran, even though she was already gone.

He feels so bad for her because of his dog she got hurt.

On the other hand she reached the office. She reached there on time.Her heart was still racing—not just from running, but from everything that had just happened outside.

A staff member pointed her toward a registration desk.

“Write your details here,” he said.

She nodded quickly and took the form. She fills the form with her trembling fingers.

Around her, other candidates were also waiting—some confident, some nervous, all trying to act calm.

One by one, the names of the selected candidates were being announced.

The room stayed quiet, every sound making hearts jump for a second.

“Next—Ridha.”

She lifted her head instantly.

“This is it,” she told herself.

She walked into the interview room.

Inside, everything felt more intense than she expected—faces watching, questions waiting, silence pressing.

But she didn’t let her nervousness show.

She answered each question with calm confidence, her voice steady, her thoughts clear. Even when her mind tried to shake her, she held herself together.

Time passed quickly.

And then—

“Thank you. You are selected.”

For a second, she didn’t react.

Then a small smile formed on her face.

She had done it.

She was told to report for work starting from tomorrow.

I did it.... She told herself.

She stepped out of the interview building, her heart lighter than it had been in days.

The selection was done. Tomorrow, a new life would begin.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice someone walking in her direction.

Thud.

She bumped straight into someone.

“Y.. You…” she whispered, staring at him.

Because standing in front of her…

was someone connected to the same nightmare she had been running from.

Who is he...??

Y...You....Ridha said.

Hello sweetheart, do you forget me. The man said it with a creepy smile.

Ridha : Shut up and don't call me sweetheart again. And she left from there.

But the man stayed there until she disappeared in the crowd.

NEXT DAY....

Ridha was getting ready for her new job.

She was waiting for the metro then she feels like someone is watching her. But there was no one.

“Maybe I’m overthinking…” she muttered to herself.She thought it was just an illusion.

Then the metro arrived. She stepped inside and took a seat, trying to calm her thoughts as the train moved forward.

But it wasn’t an illusion.

From a distance, near the edge of the platform, a man stood still.

Watching.

The same man from yesterday.

His eyes followed the metro as it disappeared.

At the office…

Ridha reached the office. She meets her colleagues and start working.

New place. New people.

Ridha was doing her work then the manager came and said boss is calling you.

Ridha:Have I done something wrong. Why is he calling me?

Manager: No it's just a normal introduction.

Ridha: Ok.

She entered the cabin.

There was a tall heightened man standing facing back towards her.

Ridha: May I come in sir?

He nodded.

He turned his face towards Ridha.

Something inside her paused.

I’ve seen him somewhere…

It wasn’t a clear memory at first, just a feeling—like a blurred image at the back of her mind.

She frowned lightly, trying to recall.

But nothing came properly.

Before she could think deeper, he spoke.

“Your introduction.”

Ridha nodded. “Yes, sir.” She gives her introduction.

He began speaking in a steady, controlled tone.

“You are newly appointed here. Your responsibilities will include handling documentation, assisting in coordination work, and reporting daily updates.”

He placed a few files on the table.

“These are your tasks for today. Go through them carefully.”

Ridha glanced at the stack of papers. It was more than she expected on her first day.

“Okay sir,” she replied quickly.

Ridha stood in front of his desk as he handed her another set of files.

“These are the remaining documents,” he said calmly. “You need to complete all of this within two days.”

Ridha’s eyes briefly flicked to the growing stack. It looked heavier than before.

In a very low voice, almost a frustrated whisper only meant for herself, she muttered,

“Mr. Overload…”

He looked up slightly.

“Did you… say something?”

Ridha’s eyes widened.

“No… no, no,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “Nothing, sir.”

Then he simply said, “You can leave now.”

“Okay, sir,” she replied softly.

She walked back to her desk, still slightly annoyed—not at him completely, but at the situation, the workload, and her own careless words.

Without wasting more time, she sat down and opened the first file.

But then, suddenly, she paused.

It’s him…

The same person she met yesterday.

Ridha leaned back a little in her chair, confused.

So it really was him…

If he remembers me… why didn’t he say anything? Why act like we never met?

Her gaze drifted toward the cabin door.

But then she came to reality and start doing her work.

It was finally time to leave the office.

The corridors were almost empty, lights dimmer than usual. Outside, the rain had started without warning.

Ridha stood near the building exit, slightly drenched. Her hair clung to her face, and her clothes were damp from walking through the rain.

She hugged her files tightly to protect them, waiting for a moment to get a cab.

But then—

She paused.

A strange feeling crawled up her spine.

Someone is watching me.

Slowly, she turned her head.

At first, there was nothing. Just rain. Empty street. Flickering lights.

She exhaled in relief.

“Maybe I’m just tired…” she whispered.

But then—

From the shadows near the edge of the street, a figure stepped forward.

Her breath stopped.

It was him.

The same face.

The same man she had seen yesterday.

And this time…

The same creepy smile.

Ridha’s grip tightened around her files.

Her heart began to race.

“No…” she whispered under her breath.

He didn’t say anything.

He just stood there.

Watching.

The rain fell harder between them, blurring everything except his face.

And slowly—

He took one step forward.

WHAT HE WANTS FROM HER.....????

Ridha: What do you want from me. Just leave me alone. Why are you doing this.

.The man stand there with a creepy smile on his face.

Then a cab came.

“We’ll meet again, sweetheart.” The man said.

She didn’t respond. She turned quickly, opened the cab door, and slid inside, loc Theg it almost instantly.

Her hands were shaking as she gave the driver a destination—anything, just away from here.

Through the window, she saw him.

He hadn’t moved.

Still watching.

Still smiling.

The cab pulled away, and only then did Ridha finally exhale, her breath breaking like she had been holding it underwater for too long.

She reached home.

That night, Ridha tried to distract herself.She told herself it was nothing.

Then her phone buzzed.

She just looked down at the screen casually, expecting a friend’s message or a notification.

Unknown Number:

“Hi, sweetheart.”

For the first time, she didn’t panic.

Instead… something inside her shifted.

A memory pressed forward, gently at first… then stronger.

Two years ago.

Laughter.

A familiar voice.

A friendship that felt easy… natural… safe.

Someone who used to sit beside her like he belonged there.

She slowly placed the phone down.

The message was still there.

But her mind was somewhere else now.

Trying to understand.

Trying to remember.

“We were good friends…” she whispered to herself.

Then softer:

“Why did you do that Vihaan?”

Her eyes slowly grew heavy.

The thoughts kept repeating in her mind like waves.

And without realizing it… she drifted into sleep.

NEXT MORNING...

Ridha woke up slowly, blinking at the ceiling.

She sat up and pressed her hand to her forehead.

And in a quiet voice, she asked herself—

“Why did he do that?”

She got up and started getting ready for the office.

A few minutes later, she picked up her bag, checked everything once, and stepped out of the house.

People walking. Traffic moving. Life continuing.

As if nothing had changed.

But inside Ridha’s mind, one thing hadn’t stopped echoing.

Why did he do that…?

And with that unanswered question, she walked toward her office.

When she is entering the office, her mind was still half here… half somewhere else.

And then—

her foot slipped slightly on the smooth floor.

“Ah—”

Before she could fall completely, a hand quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

She froze for a second.

She looked up.

A man stood close, holding her steady.

Too close for a moment.

Their eyes met.

The world around them felt like it paused for a second—just silence, just breath, just that strange stillness between two strangers.

Why my heartbeat is so fast. Ridha think in her mind.

Then reality settled back in.

He released her wrist.

She stepped back quickly, fixing her balance and her expression.

“Thank you,” she said, slightly awkward.

He raised an eyebrow.

“Are you dumb?” he said casually. “You always fall like this?”

“Excuse me?” she said, annoyed now. “Yesterday it wasn’t my fault. It was your dog!”

She grabbed her files properly and turned to leave.

“And Mr. Workload—don’t act like it’s always my mistake.”

She started walking away without looking back.

“Mr. Workload…?”

His expression changed slightly.

Then he spoke louder.

“My name is Aryan Shekhawat.”

“Call me Aryan Shekhawat. That is my name.”

But she didn’t turn back and walked without replying.

Ridha had barely settled back at her desk when her manager arrived again.

“Ridha, this needs to be finished today. Tomorrow is the deadline submission,” he said firmly.

She blinked.

“Today…?” she repeated, disbelief in her voice.

Before she could even argue, he had already walked away.

Ridha let out a frustrated breath and sat back down.

The office, which had slowly emptied throughout the evening, now felt even quieter.

Only the sound of typing remained.

And time kept slipping away.

One by one, people left.

Lights dimmed in different sections of the office.

Soon, almost everyone was gone.

Except her.

And him.

Aryan Shekhawat.

He usually left quickly.

But today… he didn’t.

He stayed longer than usual.

Not far from her desk, pretending to work, but occasionally glancing in her direction.

Hours passed.

Finally, Ridha completed her work.

She stretched her fingers and sighed deeply.

She stood up, grabbed her bag, and headed toward the exit.

At the same time, Aryan also walked out from his side, as if he had just finished his work too.

They met near the exit.

“It's too late I’ll drop you,” he said.

Ridha immediately shook her head.

“No. I’ll manage.”

She started walking toward the exit.

But then—

her mind flashed back to yesterday.

She stopped.

After a pause, she turned slightly.

“…Fine” , she said quietly. “I’ll take the lift.”

Aryan blinked slightly.

In his mind, a thought crossed instantly—

Is she crazy? First she refuses, then suddenly yes?

But he didn’t say it out loud.

Instead, he just nodded.

“I’ll get the car. Wait here.”

And he walked toward the parking area.

Ridha stood near the entrance, holding her bag tightly, waiting.

The night air was quiet.

And then—

a voice came from behind her.

“Are you waiting for someone?”

Vihaan...? Ridha said.