Seven minutes to forever

5 A Glimpse of Hope

                                                         HIS POV

I sat in my dimly lit office, the air thick with the scent of old books and the lingering aroma of coffee. The morning light struggled to penetrate the dark curtains, casting long shadows across the room. With my deep brown eyes scanning the newspaper, I felt the weight of the world pressing down on me. My black hair fell slightly over my forehead, and I pushed it back absently while adjusting the glasses perched on my nose.

For years, I had chased a phantom—an elusive girl whose face remained a mystery in my memories, yet her presence loomed large in my heart. I had no idea what she looked like, but I could feel the connection thrumming through me like an unbroken chord. Today, like every day, I was fueled by desperation, a relentless pursuit that felt more like a curse.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed, breaking the silence. "Sir, we are still unable to locate her," a voice reported hesitantly. My heart sank. "Do anything," I replied, my voice firm yet laced with urgency. "Just find her. I want her back."I closed my eyes, envisioning the life I could have, the freedom I could embrace once I found her. "I will find you," I whispered into the quiet of my office, "and I will finally be free."Moments later, my brother,  stepped into the room. "It's time to go," he said, a hint of concern in his voice. I nodded, the weight of my obsession still heavy on my shoulders as we headed to the matte black car parked outside.

As we arrived at the office building, I stepped out and felt the crisp air against my skin. I turned to speak to my brother when an old lady stumbled into me, accidentally splashing water on my tailored suit. "Oh dear! I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, her hands shaking slightly as she reached for a napkin to clean the mess."It's alright," I replied, brushing it off with a forced smile. But as I looked into her eyes, something stirred within me. There was a depth, a glimmer of recognition I couldn't explain.As she dabbed at my suit, I noticed her gaze held a wisdom that seemed to transcend her age. "You have a kind heart, young man," she said softly, her voice trembling yet warm. "But sometimes, kindness is tested by the most unexpected encounters.""Thank you," I replied, a sense of unease creeping in. "I'm just trying to get through the day."Her eyes twinkled as she continued to clean, "Life has a way of leading us to what we truly seek. Trust in that journey, dear. It may not be what you expect, but it will be what you need."Just then, her daughter rushed over, her expression filled with concern. "I'm so sorry for my mother's clumsiness!" she said, her voice flustered yet kind. Before I could respond, the old lady grasped my hand, her grip surprisingly strong. "You will find what you seek soon," she said, her words sending a shiver down my spine. "Stay open to the signs the universe sends you."Confused yet intrigued, I watched as they hurried away, leaving me with a strange sense of hope intertwined with uncertainty.

Driven by an inexplicable urge, I decided to step into the nearest store to gather my thoughts. Inside, I browsed aimlessly, my heart racing with anticipation. Each step felt charged, as if the air itself whispered secrets I couldn't hear. I grabbed a pack of napkins, the mundane action grounding me momentarily. As I paid for the item, the cashier's smile felt warm, but I was lost in my own thoughts, wondering if fate was trying to tell me something.

Stepping back outside, I spotted my brother waiting for me. "Where were you? I tried to find you! What happened to your clothes?" he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion."Nothing, just an accident," I replied, brushing it off, but my mind was elsewhere.

As I turned to head toward the office building, a soft hum floated through the air, weaving its way around me. It felt familiar, like a melody from a long-lost memory. I glanced back at the store, my heart racing. The girl cleaning the glass window hummed a tune that struck a chord deep within me. Her back was turned, but there was something about the way she moved that felt hauntingly reminiscent of someone I had been searching for my entire life. The moment felt fleeting, yet it ignited a spark of hope in my chest.

With every passing moment, my chase for her grew more desperate. She was the only one who could break the curse that bound me, the only one who could fill the void in my life. I had been searching for years, and yet, with every fleeting moment, hope remained a fragile thread. But I clung to it fiercely, unwilling to let it slip away.

"In the depths of despair, hope flickers like a candle in the dark; sometimes, it takes just a glimpse to ignite a spark."