Sketching her Shadows

The First Words

For a long moment, Saanvi didn't speak. Her gaze lingered on Satya, her expression a mixture of curiosity and hesitation. It was as if something inside her was trying to piece together the puzzle of his presence, but she couldn't quite connect the dots.

Satya, sensing the tension in the air, didn't rush. He didn't press her with questions about their past lives. That would come later, in its own time. For now, he just wanted to talk to her—to know her as she was in this life.

He glanced at her sketchbook, the pages filled with intricate designs, delicate figures, and swirling landscapes.

"You're quite talented," Satya remarked, genuinely impressed. "Your style… It's unique."

Saanvi's gaze shifted to her book, and for a brief moment, her lips curled into a small, appreciative smile.

"Thank you," she replied softly. "I've always loved sketching. It's how I express… what I feel."

Satya nodded, understanding more than she realized. He too had always used art to communicate things that words couldn't.

"I can see that," he said, leaning slightly closer to her sketchbook. "This one looks like it's about something important. The way the lines are drawn, they seem to be full of… emotion."

Saanvi's fingers tightened around the edges of her sketchbook, as though the subject of her drawing was something personal. "It's… something I've been working on for a while," she said, her voice quieter now.

Satya didn't press. Instead, he took a step back, giving her space, but keeping his tone warm and inviting.

"So, do you come here often?" he asked, trying to keep the conversation light. "To sketch, I mean?"

Saanvi looked up, her eyes meeting his. "Yeah, I do. It's one of my favorite spots to draw," she answered, her voice steady now, the initial uncertainty beginning to fade. "It's quiet here, peaceful."

Satya smiled, relieved. "I come here sometimes too. It's nice to be able to just… sit and think. There's something calming about the place."

She nodded in agreement. There was something shared in their words, something familiar that made the conversation feel easy.

Satya took another breath before asking, "Would you… mind if I sat here with you again sometime? To talk and sketch, I mean. I promise I won't interrupt your work."

Saanvi raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "You want to sit here with me?"

He smiled, his tone casual yet sincere. "I don't mind sitting in silence. But maybe we could talk, share some ideas about sketching. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

Her gaze softened, and for the first time, she seemed to really study him—not just his face, but something deeper, as if trying to understand who he was.

"Okay," she said after a moment, her voice quieter, almost hesitant. "I'd be okay with that. I don't mind talking to you."

Satya's heart skipped a beat. It was a small victory, but to him, it felt like everything. He had taken the first step—he had opened the door.

"Thank you," he said, the sincerity in his voice clear.

Saanvi gave him a brief nod and returned her focus to the sketchbook, but this time, Satya noticed she wasn't as absorbed in her work. She seemed more aware of him, more open.

The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable. It was a comfortable kind of quiet, a space where both of them could simply exist.

Satya knew this was just the beginning. The beginning of their conversation, the beginning of their connection. It was too soon to ask her about their past life, but he could feel something pulling him closer to her. Something deep inside told him that this was meant to be.

For now, he would let things unfold naturally. He would take it one conversation at a time.