The Smile That didn't Reach Her Eyes

The next morning, the bridge felt warmer than usual.

Perhaps it was the sunlight dancing on the river.

Or perhaps it was because I know longer cross that alone.

She was already there, leaning against the railing, watching the water as if it had become her oldest friend.

When she noticed me, she smiled.

"You're late."

I looked at my watch.

"I still have 5 minutes."

She folded her arms and laughed softly.

"5 minutes is late...if someone is waiting."

I couldn't help smiling.

"So...you were waiting?"

She looked away immediately.

"I never said that."

"You didn't have to."

For the first time, our silence wasn't awkward. It felt like something we had built together.

As we walked toward college, the streets slowly came alive. Shopkeepers lifted their shutters, children hurried to school and the aroma of freshly brewed tea drifted through the cool morning air.

"Tea?" I asked.

She looked surprised.

"Before class?"

She hesitated for a second before nodding.

The tea stall was small, with only two wooden benches. The owners smiled as he handed us two steaming cups.

She wrapped both hands around hers, closing her eyes for a moment.

"This," she whispered, "is my favorite part of the morning."

"The tea?"

She shook her head.

"The pause."

I looked at her, confused.

She smiled.

"Life keeps asking us to run. Sometimes... I like pretending it has forgotten where I am."

Before I could answer a little girl selling Jasmine flowers walk up to us.

"Didi," she said with a bright smile,"would you like one?"

Without thinking, the girl beside me bought the entire basket.

The child's face lit up with joy.

"Thank you!"

She gently placed one jasmine flower beside the little girl's ear.

"It looks Prettier on you.''

The little girl hugged her before running away.

I watched the whole movement in silence.

"You really didn't need all those flowers."

"I know."

"Then why?"

She looked at the empty Street.

"Because happiness should never leave empty-handed."

Her answer stayed with me.

A few minutes later, we resumed walking.

She was smiling again.

But then...

We passed a small family sitting outside a bakery.

A little boy was laughing while his parents argued over who would carry him.

The moment she saw them...

Her footsteps slowed.

The smile disappeared.

Not suddenly.

Quietly.

As though someone had gently blown out the light behind her eyes.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

She blinked and forced another smile

"I'm fine.''

It was a perfect smile.

Too perfect.

The kind of people wear when they don't want anyone to ask another question.

I wanted to believe her.

But something inside me whispered that she was lying.

We reached the college gate without speaking.

Just before entering, a breeze carried one of the Jasmine flower from her hand.

It landed between us.

She picked it up carefully.

"You know,"she said softly,"flowers don't last very long."

I nodded.

"No..."

She looked at me, her eyes holding a sadness I couldn't understand.

"But the memories they leave behind do."

She walked into the campus before I could reply.

I stood therefore a long time watching the Jasmine flat disappear into the crowd with her.

For that first time...

I realized I wasn't curious about her name anymore.

I wanted to know the story hidden behind her smile.

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