The Beginning Before the Beginning

Long before that night on the bench—

before confessions, before confusion—

they were just strangers.

It was the first day of training.

The office buzzed with unfamiliar voices, nervous energy, and quiet excitement. New faces everywhere. Some confident, some lost… all trying to fit in.

She walked in like she belonged there.

Bright. Talkative. Effortlessly comfortable.

“Hi! Is this seat taken?” she asked someone within minutes, already starting a conversation before even settling down.

That was her.

An extrovert by nature—someone who filled silence without trying.

Across the room, he sat quietly.

Observing.

Listening.

Not interested in unnecessary conversations.

While others tried to impress, he simply leaned back in his chair, calm and unreadable.

That was him.

An introvert—patient, composed, and someone who rarely expressed more than needed.

The demo meeting began.

Team leads stood in front, explaining rules, schedules, expectations. Everyone listened… or at least pretended to.

Then came a question.

“Someone needs to act as a point of contact for the team. Any volunteers?”

A brief silence.

Before anyone could think twice—

“I can do it.”

She stood up.

Confident. Clear.

Without hesitation.

A few heads turned.

Behind her, a quiet chuckle passed through a group of boys.

“Who wants to be a peon for everyone?” one of them whispered.

They laughed softly among themselves.

He was sitting with them.

He didn’t laugh loudly—but a faint smile crossed his face.

Not mocking. Just observing.

She didn’t hear them.

Or maybe she chose not to.

The meeting ended, and the room slowly split into small groups.

She found her circle quickly.

Two girls—completely different from each other, yet somehow fitting perfectly with her.

One bold and fearless, saying whatever came to mind.

The other calm and patient, the kind who listened more than she spoke.

Together, they balanced each other.

On the other side, he stayed with his group.

Four boys.

One—his close friend from college, the only one who truly understood him.

Another—loud, humorous, always ready with jokes.

One more—disciplined, responsible, the “serious” one of the group.

And the last—observant, quiet like him, but sharper with words.

They laughed, joked, passed comments about everything happening around them.

Like any group of boys on the first day.

Seats were assigned soon after.

By coincidence—

or maybe something more—

her seat ended up right in front of his.

But they didn’t notice.

Not really.

The training began.

Days turned into a routine.

Forty days of learning, assignments, small talks, and shared spaces.

She became familiar with almost everyone.

Talking. Laughing. Asking doubts. Making connections.

She even became friends with a few of his friends—seven of them, to be exact.

She spoke to them easily.

Joked with them.

Relied on them when needed.

But not him.

Not even once.

He, on the other hand, stayed within his circle.

Jokes. Teasing. Random conversations.

Occasionally watching people around him… silently observing.

He even developed a small crush.

A girl named Nomita.

Nothing serious. Just something to pass time.

They never spoke.

Just glances. Passing thoughts.

And somewhere in that same room—

sat the girl who would one day change everything for him.

Yet, to her—

he was just another face.

Another name she didn’t bother to remember.

Two people.

Same room.

Same days.

Same moments.

But no connection.

Not yet.

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