Episode 2 A Growing Curiosity
721 Words
The afternoon sun hung low over the university campus, casting long shadows across the walkways. Students moved in groups, laughing and talking as they made their way to their next classes.
Zara walked beside Daniel quietly.
At first, neither of them spoke. The silence between them wasn’t awkward, but it felt unfamiliar. Zara wasn’t used to walking with someone she had just met.
“So,” she finally said, pointing ahead, “that building is the library. Most students practically live there during exams.”
Daniel glanced at the tall building. “I might be one of those students.”
Zara smiled faintly.
They continued walking slowly.
“The cafeteria is over there,” she added, pointing to another large building where students gathered. “And the hostels are behind it.”
Daniel nodded as if memorizing everything she said.
“You seem to know your way around very well,” he said.
Zara shrugged lightly. “I’ve been here for two years now. It’s easy once you get used to it.”
They reached a small garden area in the middle of campus. A few students sat on benches under the trees, chatting and scrolling through their phones.
Daniel stopped walking.
“This place is nice,” he said quietly.
Zara followed his gaze. The garden was peaceful, with flowers lining the paths and a small fountain in the center.
“It’s my favorite place,” she admitted. “Whenever I need to think or relax, I come here.”
Daniel looked at her briefly, almost surprised.
“Interesting,” he said.
Before Zara could ask what he meant, her phone buzzed.
It was Maya.
Maya: Where are you? I’ve been waiting for you.
Zara sighed softly.
“My friend is probably wondering where I disappeared to.”
Daniel gave a small smile.
“You should go.”
Zara hesitated for a moment.
“Well… if you need help finding anything else on campus, you can ask me.”
Daniel nodded. “Thank you.”
She turned and began walking toward the lecture hall where Maya was waiting.
But before she got far, Daniel called her name.
“Zara.”
She turned back.
“Yes?”
For a brief second, Daniel looked like he wanted to say something important. But then he simply said,
“Thanks for helping me.”
Zara smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
When she finally reached the lecture hall, Maya was waiting outside with her arms crossed.
“Took you long enough,” Maya said.
“Sorry,” Zara replied.
Maya leaned closer immediately.
“So… you were showing the mysterious new guy around campus?”
Zara rolled her eyes.
“He just needed directions.”
Maya raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh.”
Zara tried to ignore the teasing tone.
“What do you think about him?” Maya asked.
Zara paused.
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “He seems… different.”
Maya nodded slowly.
“That’s exactly what worries me.”
Later that evening, Zara sat at her desk in the hostel, reviewing her notes.
But her mind kept drifting.
She found herself thinking about Daniel again.
The way he spoke calmly.
The way he seemed to observe everything around him.
And the strange feeling that he was hiding something.
Zara shook her head, trying to focus on her studies.
But she couldn’t ignore the small curiosity growing inside her.
Across campus, Daniel stood alone near the same garden Zara had shown him earlier.
The campus lights had begun to glow as evening settled in.
Ethan approached him from behind.
“So this is where you disappeared to,” Ethan said.
Daniel didn’t turn.
“What do you think of this place?” Ethan asked.
Daniel looked around quietly.
“It’s peaceful.”
Ethan smirked slightly.
“And the girl?”
Daniel finally turned to face him.
“What girl?”
“The one who showed you around campus,” Ethan replied.
Daniel remained silent for a moment.
Then he said quietly,
“She’s kind.”
Ethan studied his expression.
“Be careful,” he warned gently.
Daniel looked back toward the quiet garden.
But for the first time since arriving at the university, something about this place didn’t feel so unfamiliar anymore.
And somehow, Zara had already become part of that feeling.
- Writer
