Beneath the blossoms

The Mysterious Stranger

One afternoon, while wandering aimlessly through the city, Maya found herself in a quiet park far from the bustling streets. The cherry blossoms were still in bloom, though many petals had already fallen, forming a pink carpet beneath the trees.

As she sat on a bench, sketching absentmindedly in her notebook, she felt someone sit beside her. She glanced up to see a boy around her age. He had an air of quiet confidence, with sharp features and deep, thoughtful eyes.

“You draw beautifully,” he said, nodding toward her sketchbook.

Maya blushed. “Thanks… but it’s nothing special.”

“On the contrary,” he said, his gaze lingering on her work. “It’s more than special. You see things that others miss—the flow of a space, the harmony between nature and structure. It’s rare to find someone who understands that.”

Maya blinked in surprise. How could this stranger understand her so well from just a glance? “Who are you?” she asked.

The boy smiled. “My name’s Yash. And I think we’re not so different, you and I.”

Over the next few weeks, Maya found herself meeting Yash often in that park. They would talk about architecture, design, and life. Yash had a way of seeing the world that fascinated Maya. He spoke of balance and flow, of how every space had a story to tell. His words sparked new ideas in her, and slowly, her passion for design was reignited.

But there was something mysterious about Yash. He never mentioned where he was from, and he always seemed to disappear just as suddenly as he appeared. Yet, Maya couldn’t shake the feeling that he had come into her life for a reason.