Raisa sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers absently tracing the patterns of her quilt. The silence of her apartment felt heavy, like a weight pressing down on her heart. Why did things have to be so complicated? She glanced at her phone, half-expecting it to light up with a message from Zayn. But nothing. Just the echo of the conversations that had played out in her mind, the fleeting smiles, and the moments of connection that felt all too rare.

“Ugh!” she exclaimed, tossing her phone onto the bed. “Why is it so hard to talk to him?” She stood up and paced the room, the soft sound of her footsteps barely making a ripple in the quiet. The last encounter with Zayn replayed in her mind—a whirlwind of emotions that left her dizzy. She needed to understand him better, to bridge the gap between their worlds.

Ding!

Raisa’s heart skipped a beat as her phone buzzed. She hurried to grab it, her breath catching in her throat as she saw Kendra’s name flash across the screen. “Hey, can we meet?” the message read. Raisa felt a surge of relief. Kendra always had a way of grounding her, of helping her see the bigger picture.

“Sure! Where?” she quickly typed back, her fingers dancing over the screen.

“Let’s meet at that little café by the park. I need to talk!” Kendra replied.

“On my way!” Raisa texted, already feeling the excitement bubbling up inside her. She quickly dressed, choosing a comfortable yet chic outfit that mirrored her mood. As she headed out the door, she took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering doubts about Zayn.

At the café, Kendra was already seated at a small table by the window, her camera resting on the table beside her. “Hey!” she greeted, her face lighting up as Raisa approached. “You look amazing!”

“Thanks! You too,” Raisa replied, sinking into the chair opposite her. “So, what’s going on?”

Kendra leaned forward, her expression serious. “I’ve been thinking about you and Zayn. I saw how you two were the other day… and I can tell there’s something there.”

Raisa sighed, running her fingers through her hair. “I just don’t know how to connect with him. He’s so… intense. I feel like I’m always trying to keep up with him, but it’s exhausting.”

Kendra nodded knowingly. “You both have different worlds. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find common ground. What do you really want from him?”

“Honestly?” Raisa hesitated. “I want to know him. The real him. Not just the architect or the guy who’s always working.”

“Then you need to show him that you’re interested in more than just the surface,” Kendra advised, her voice steady. “Ask him about his dreams, his fears… get beneath the façade.”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Raisa pondered this, her mind racing with possibilities. What if he doesn’t want to share? The thought made her stomach twist. But Kendra’s confident gaze pushed her to consider it. What if this was the key to understanding him?

As they sipped their coffees, Kendra shared stories about her recent photography projects, the way the light danced through trees, the thrill of capturing moments. Raisa found herself inspired, each anecdote lighting a fire within her. She wanted Zayn to feel that too—her passion, her determination to connect.

That evening, after saying goodbye to Kendra, Raisa stood in front of her mirror, a renewed sense of purpose washing over her. “Okay, Raisa. Time to take a leap,” she murmured to herself. She picked up her phone, scrolling through her contacts until she landed on Zayn’s name. Maybe he needed a little push too.

With a deep breath, she began to type.

“Hey, Zayn. I know you’re busy, but I really want to see you. How about we meet tomorrow? I’d love to hear about your projects and… just, you.”

Send!

Raisa’s heart raced as she set her phone down, watching the screen for a response. Minutes passed, each second stretching into an eternity. Just when doubt began to creep in, her phone lit up with a message.

“Hey, Raisa! I’d love to meet up. How about lunch at that new place downtown?”

Raisa couldn’t help but smile, a mix of excitement and nerves swirling in her stomach. “Sounds perfect! What time?”

“12:30?”

“See you then!” she replied, her fingers trembling with anticipation.

As she sat back, the evening sun cast a warm glow over her apartment. For the first time in a while, Raisa felt hopeful. Maybe this was the bridge they both needed to cross.

The next day, Raisa arrived at the restaurant early, her heart pounding in her chest. What if Zayn didn’t open up? She took a deep breath, glancing around the stylish interior filled with vibrant colors and chatter. She was about to dive into a world of uncertainty, and yet, something inside her whispered that it was worth the risk.

Thud!

The sound of Zayn’s footsteps approaching made her heart skip. She looked up just as he walked in, his expression a mix of surprise and delight. “Raisa! You made it!”

“Of course! Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she replied, forcing a smile as he sat across from her. The air between them buzzed with unspoken words, both of them searching for a way to bridge the distance that had built up between them.

“Thanks for inviting me,” Zayn said, his gaze searching hers. “I’ve been wanting to talk.”

Raisa felt a rush of relief. “Me too. I really want to know more about you, Zayn. Beyond the work and… everything.”

Zayn hesitated, but the warmth in her eyes seemed to ease some of his tension. “Okay, let’s try.”

This was it, Raisa thought, her heart racing as they began to peel back the layers, uncovering the truths they had both kept hidden for far too long.

As the conversation flowed, Raisa realized they were not just crossing bridges; they were building them—together. Each shared story, each laugh, wove their worlds a little closer, reminding them both that under the same sky, anything was possible.

And as they talked, the shadows of doubt that had once loomed over them began to dissipate, replaced by a light that felt undeniably real.

With their connection deepening, neither Raisa nor Zayn knew just how much this moment would shape their future. But as they sat across from each other, both felt a sense of calm that whispered, This is just the beginning.