Ravi's POV:

The distant sound of people talking, the faint honking of vehicles, and the warm touch of sunlight on my skin slowly pulled me back to consciousness. My head felt heavy, and my body ached as if I had been lying on a hard surface for too long.

A sudden splash of water hit my face, jerking me back to reality. My eyes fluttered open to a blur of faces staring down at me.

"Thambi, ipo parava illaya pa?"(Are you ok?) someone asked, their voice laced with concern.

I blinked rapidly, my vision still hazy. My throat felt dry, and my head throbbed.

"romba nerama veyil la yarukagavo wait pannitu ninutu irundhuchu indha puzha. Veyil thangama thalla suthi vizhundhu iruku." (This guy was waiting for someone standing under this hot sun. He had passed out due to dehydration.) another voice muttered.

A man in a faded white shirt stepped forward, holding a chilled soda bottle. He twisted the cap open and pressed it into my hands.

"Drink this," he said.

I lifted the bottle with weak fingers and took a slow sip. The cool liquid rushed down my throat, offering instant relief.

As I regained my strength, I wiped my wet face with my sleeve and tried to sit up properly. My body felt drained, the heat and hunger taking a toll on me.

The crowd slowly dispersed, and the once-bustling street grew quieter. The sun had started to set, casting an orange hue across the sky.

I sat there for a while, my fingers loosely holding the empty soda bottle. The exhaustion from standing in the scorching heat, the dehydration, and the long wait had drained every bit of my energy.

She won’t come. I know it.

I muttered to myself, feeling a deep sense of disappointment settle in my chest.

With a heavy heart, I stood up, dusting off my clothes. My legs felt weak, but I forced myself to move. As I walked away from the area, something in me refused to let go.

I paused and turned around one last time, my eyes scanning the place where I had seen her before.

But it was useless.

She wasn’t there.

Letting out a deep sigh, I lowered my head and walked away, each step heavier than the last.

With nothing but disappointment weighing me down, I headed home.

As I stepped into the house, the familiar warmth of home surrounded me, but it did nothing to lift the heaviness in my chest.

My anni noticed me right away.

"Enga da poi irundha? Evlo neramachunu theriyuma unaku?"(Where were you? Do you know how many hours it's been since you left?) she asked, her voice filled with both concern and frustration.

I didn't answer. I just walked past her and sat down on the chair, exhausted.

She sighed and went inside, returning a few minutes later with a plate of food.

"Saapdu," (Eat) she said, placing it in front of me.

I looked at the plate—hot rice, sambar, and a side of vegetables. Normally, I would have devoured it without a second thought, but today, my appetite was nowhere to be found.

Still, I picked up a handful of rice and slowly brought it to my mouth.

As I chewed, my thoughts drifted back to her.

Her eyes, filled with concern when she dressed my wound. The way she gently tied the knot on my hand. The softness in her gaze, as if she truly cared.

Why?

I barely knew her.

I swallowed the food, but it felt tasteless.

"Enna da, ipdi kammiya saapudra? Nalla saapdu," anni said, noticing my lack of enthusiasm.

I forced a small nod and took another bite, but my mind was far away.

Would I ever see her again?

Would she even remember me if we did?

I absentmindedly traced my fingers over the fabric of my pocket, where her kerchief was safely tucked away.

As I continued eating, my thoughts refused to leave her.