The afternoon sun filtered through the park's trees, casting a play of light and shadow. Vali, ready for the concert, walked with his earphones on, lost in his thoughts. Vali wasn't particularly sociable; he preferred the company of books, his own mind, his bow, or even his earphones and the music of Rei, his favorite singer, whose songs kept him company.
Suddenly, a small cry and a stumble snapped him out of his reverie. A girl around his age, with a slightly dazed air, struggled to keep her balance. Her large, surprised dark eyes met his for a few seconds. Acting on instinct, Vali reached out to help her up.
The girl's eyes were a deep green, reflecting both surprise and a hint of embarrassment. When our gazes locked, only one thought crossed my mind: she was… beautiful. A delicate beauty that felt soothing—her dark, straight, glossy hair and her small, delicate nose gave her an adorable charm.
"Are you okay?" I asked, still distracted.
A slight nod, accompanied by a face faintly flushed with embarrassment. "Yes… I'm sorry. I got distracted and lost my balance." Her voice was soft, almost inaudible beneath the sound of the breeze.
"No problem," I replied, trying to avoid prolonging the eye contact unnecessarily, feeling a warmth in my chest I'd never experienced before. She gave me a small, genuine smile before shyly looking away. I noticed her casual outfit: a loose T-shirt that hid part of her figure, cargo-style pants, and comfortable shoes. I recalled her soft "Thank you" as she straightened up and headed toward the park entrance—the same direction I was going. I stood there for a moment, watching her back as she walked away. What a lovely girl, I thought, before shaking my head, trying to recapture the catchy rhythm that had me so engrossed earlier. The concert awaits.