Moonlight Between Us

A Silent Flame

In the heart of the late '90s, when the world was just beginning to unravel the mysteries of the internet, a love story as unexpected as a summer storm began to unfold.

Sheera was a force of nature, a girl who danced through life like the wind—wild, free, and full of untamed spirit. With a laugh that could light up the darkest room and a heart always open to adventure, she embraced life with unbridled joy. She was a whirlwind of energy, moving through the hallways of her high school with her best friend, Railey, by her side. But beneath her vivacious exterior, Sheera harbored insecurities. At 16, she was conscious of her chubby frame, her shyness a barrier she couldn't easily cross. Her heart was open, but it was also tender, guarded against the harsh judgments of adolescence.

Justin, on the other hand, was the embodiment of everything Sheera thought she could never be. At 19, he was a university freshman, he was a snapshot of confidence. His smile, always tinged with a hint of mischief, was the kind that could disarm anyone, and his wind-swept hair added an effortless coolness to his appearance. He was the kind of guy who turned heads effortlessly, his smile a blend of charm and mystery that left a lasting impression on everyone who crossed his path.

Their worlds were separate, yet intertwined by a thread of fate that neither of them could see.

Back then, Orkut was the new frontier of connection, a place where friendships blossomed and secret crushes were nurtured in the shadows. It was within this digital wonderland that Sheera first encountered Justin—a name that would soon become the epicenter of her thoughts, the axis around which her world would turn. Justin was a friend of Railey's, but to Sheera, he was so much more. His profile picture left her breathless—a vision of masculinity with wind-swept hair, hazel eyes that seemed to pierce through the screen, and a smile that danced on the edge of mischief. A single diamond earring glinted in his left ear, adding a hint of rebellion to his already captivating aura.

One evening, as Sheera was scrolling through Railey's Orkut wall, she saw a friend request from Justin. Her heart skipped a beat. Could it be? She clicked on the notification with trembling fingers, scarcely believing that the boy she had admired from afar was now within reach. She accepted the request, and from that moment, her nights were spent poring over his profile, memorizing every post, every picture, every detail. She adored the way he looked—clean-shaven, with perfectly arched eyebrows and those intense eyes that seemed to hold a world of secrets.

But beneath her vibrant exterior, Sheera harbored insecurities. She was conscious of her chubby frame, her shyness a barrier she couldn't easily cross. Though she longed to reach out to Justin, to speak to him, her fears held her back. So she remained in the shadows, watching, admiring, and dreaming. The crush she felt for him was a deep, aching love, one that she nurtured in silence, afraid that speaking it aloud would somehow break the spell.

For Justin, the connection was less immediate but just as profound, though in a different way.He had noticed Sheera's name on Railey's wall—frequent comments, playful banter, and an energy that seemed to leap off the screen. He was curious about this girl who seemed to be such a big part of his friend's life. Sheera's comments were witty, her way of expressing herself full of life and warmth. But he had never seen her, didn't know what she looked like. There was a mystery to her that intrigued him, a puzzle he wanted to solve. One day, on a whim, he sent her a friend request, not thinking much of it. It was just a click, a casual action—but it would become so much more.

He wasn't sure what he was expecting—maybe just another friend in his growing network—but something about her drew him in, like a melody he couldn't get out of his head.

For Sheera, it was love at first sight. Justin's image was seared into her mind, his smile haunting her thoughts in the best way possible. But she was shy, insecure about her looks, and she never found the courage to upload her own picture or engage with Justin directly. So, she stayed in the shadows, watching, admiring, and dreaming. He became the standard by which all other boys were measured, a golden ideal that no one else could ever quite reach.