Chapter 24
The First Impression
It was just a normal day.
Nothing special.
No plans.
Just groceries.
"Mama, I'll go and come."
"Don't take long."
"I won't."
I stepped out.
The air felt calm.
Simple.
Like life was behaving for once.
And I didn't know…
That something important…
was about to happen.
The store wasn't crowded.
Just a few people.
I picked what I needed.
Vegetables.
Fruits.
Some essentials.
Normal.
Until—
I noticed her.
An older woman.
Standing near the shelves.
Trying to reach something.
But she couldn't.
It was placed too high.
She tried again.
Still no use.
Without thinking…
I walked towards her.
"Excuse me…"
She turned.
Her eyes met mine.
Familiar.
But I couldn't place it immediately.
"Yes?"
"Do you need help?"
She smiled slightly.
"I can't reach that."
I looked up.
"Oh… one second."
I stretched.
Took it easily.
And handed it to her.
"Here."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
I was about to leave.
But then—
Her bag slipped slightly.
Things almost fell.
I caught it quickly.
"Careful…"
She looked at me.
This time…
more closely.
"You're very kind."
I smiled softly.
"It's okay."
"No, really."
She adjusted her bag.
"Most people just walk away."
I shrugged.
"I couldn't."
She smiled again.
Warmer this time.
"What's your name?"
"Jay."
"Jay…"
She repeated it.
Like she was remembering it.
"I'm Serina."
My heart skipped.
Serina.
His mother.
For a second…
everything stopped.
But I didn't react.
Didn't show anything.
"Nice to meet you," I said calmly.
She nodded.
"Do you live nearby?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Silence.
But not awkward.
Comfortable.
"I've seen many people…"
she said softly.
"But very few like you."
I blinked.
"What do you mean?"
"Kindness like this…"
She looked at me.
"…it's rare."
My heart felt warm.
"Thank you…"
She smiled.
"Take care, Jay."
"You too."
I walked away slowly.
But my mind…
wasn't calm anymore.
She didn't know.
She didn't know who I was.
Or what I was to her son.
But still…
She liked me.
Without knowing anything.
And that felt…
strange.
Because if she knew…
Would she still smile like that?
Would she still think I was kind?
Or would everything change?
I stepped out of the store.
Holding my bag.
But my thoughts…
were somewhere else.
Because today…
For the first time…
His world…
looked at me.
And didn't turn away.
But I didn't know then…
That this small meeting…
Would become something much bigger.
Something that would…
connect our lives in a way…
I never imagined.
And maybe…
That's how fate works.
It starts small.
So small…
you don't even notice it.
Until it's too late to step back.
To be continued… 😏💔