The Ideal Stranger

Chapter 1: A Chance Encounter

  "Are you going to just stare at him all day?" Sana's voice snapped Aanya out of her daze.

  "What?" Aanya blinked, realizing she was clutching her chai a little too tightly as she watched the mysterious man across the street. "I wasn't staring... really."

  Sana chuckled, sliding into the seat across from her. "Sure you weren't. But he's cute, you know. You should go talk to him!"

  Aanya's cheeks flushed as she quickly looked away, trying to downplay her reaction. "And say what? 'Hi, I'm Aanya, and I totally didn't notice how mysterious you look'?"

  "Exactly!" Sana's eyes sparkled with encouragement. "Sometimes, these random moments are meant to be. You never know... he might be 'the one.'"

  Aanya laughed, brushing off her friend's suggestion. She had been through enough in the past few months to know that life wasn't as simple as running into some "perfect stranger." But as she sipped her chai and tried to focus on anything else, the café door opened, and in he walked, as if drawn by Sana's words.

  The stranger shook off the rain, his gaze sweeping across the room until his eyes met Aanya's. This time, he smiled—a subtle, knowing smile that sent a thrill up her spine.

  "Alright, maybe I'll say hi," she murmured, almost to herself.

  Sana grinned, nudging her. "That's my girl! Go for it."

  With her heart pounding, Aanya stood up, straightening her shirt as she walked over, each step filled with a mix of anticipation and fear. "Hey," she managed, hoping her voice sounded casual. "I noticed you from the window. I'm Aanya."

  The stranger's smile deepened, and for a moment, Aanya thought she saw a flicker of something familiar in his eyes. "I'm Rohan," he replied, his voice smooth, almost magnetic. "Nice to meet you."

  As they continued talking, Aanya couldn't shake the feeling that meeting Rohan was no accident. There was a pull between them, a silent connection that made her both excited and uneasy. Little did she know, her life was about to take a turn that even she couldn't have predicted.