Early morning, a bad toothache had me booking an emergency appointment with the dentist. I reached the clinic, only to find it full of patients. The reception area was buzzing with people, some reading newspapers, others scrolling on their phones, and a few just sitting quietly, waiting for their turn. I took a seat in the corner, resigned to the long wait, and began scrolling mindlessly through Instagram.

As I was lost in the endless scroll of reels and posts, something suddenly made me look up. I don’t know why, but I felt a strange kind of energy, as if someone had just walked in who would change the mood of the whole room.

Then I saw her.

She was tall, graceful, and effortlessly stylish. The kind of person who didn’t need to try to look good; she just was. Her short hair framed her face perfectly, giving her a fresh, bold look that somehow made her stand out even in a crowded room. There was something confident yet calm about the way she carried herself like she knew exactly who she was and didn’t need anyone’s approval.

She wore a simple white T-shirt, a pair of light blue jeans, and sneakers, yet the way she carried that look made it seem like a fashion statement. A black helmet rested under her arm, and I could see a few drops of dew still clinging to it - maybe from her early morning ride.

Her eyes, behind those glasses, were bright and observant, the kind that noticed everything. And when she smiled, there was warmth in it, the kind that could melt away a bad day. a mix of friendliness and mystery that instantly drew me in. Even her voice had a calm rhythm to it, soft but confident, the kind that could silence all the noise around.

She looked like someone who loved the open road, the morning breeze, and quiet coffee shops. There was an air of independence about her. strong, free, and yet, gentle, like someone who didn’t care what the world thought. The moment she entered, it felt like time slowed down for me. My toothache, which had brought me here in pain, suddenly didn’t feel so important anymore.

She scanned the room, her eyes calm but sharp, and then walked straight towards the empty seat beside me. “Shall I sit here?” she asked politely.

For a moment, my mind just froze. I think it took two or three seconds before her words even registered. “Y–yeah, sure,” I stammered, trying to sound normal, but my heart was already racing.

As she sat down, I could smell a faint hint of rain and shampoo. Our eyes met once, just for a second, but that was enough a strange spark passed between us. I quickly looked away, pretending to check my phone again, but I couldn’t help sneaking small glances at her. After a few minutes, she smiled and said something about how long the wait was. That one small sentence opened a floodgate and soon we were chatting like old friends. We talked about random things traffic, work, music, weekend plans, even about how dentists are scarier than horror movies. Every sentence felt light and easy, and every laugh felt real.

Time just flew by, and before I realised it, the nurse called my name. For the first time ever, I actually wished my turn hadn’t come so soon. I stood up slowly, not wanting to break the moment. She looked up at me with that same calm smile, and said softly, “All the best.”

As I walked toward the dentist’s room, I turned back once. She was still sitting there, scrolling on her phone, but with a faint smile on her lips. My heart told me this wasn’t the last time I’d see her. But fate had just started writing a new story.

My toothache was fixed, but my mind was still back there. Sitting beside her. Even while the dentist was talking and working, I kept wondering if she’d wait for me, if she’d still be there when I came out.After what felt like forever, the dentist finally said, “All done.” I thanked him, paid at the counter, and stepped out, my heart already racing with hope. I looked around the waiting room, my eyes searching every face but she wasn’t there.

The chair where she had sat was empty. For a moment, I stood still, just staring at it like it would somehow bring her back. I checked every corner of the clinic, even peeked outside near the parking area, hoping to see her with her helmet. But she was gone.

A small ache started building up again not in my tooth this time, but somewhere deeper. I walked to the receptionist and casually asked, “The girl who was sitting beside me… did she leave?”

The receptionist looked up and said. “i am not sure sir,. We don't keep track of individual. We can confirm if they registered.”

I tried to smile, hiding my disappointment. “Oh, okay. Thanks.”

As I stepped outside, the morning had turned brighter, but everything around felt strangely quiet. The city was moving as usual, cars honking, people rushing, yet it all felt distant. I stood there for a while, kicking a small stone on the pavement, replaying our short conversation in my head.

I thought of a hundred things I could have said; maybe asked her name properly, or her contact number. But in that moment, I had been too caught up in the magic of it all.

Now, in this big city filled with thousands of faces, the chances of seeing her again felt almost impossible. Yet, somewhere deep down, I held on to a tiny hope. Maybe fate, which had brought us together once, would do it again.

And as I walked away, the wind brushed past gently, carrying with it the faint scent of rain: reminding me of her.