His Anonymous Love

Episode 2

The next evening, fifteen minutes remained before the clock struck five. Kabir stood concealed in a quiet corner near the library's main entrance, silently observing everyone who stepped through the doors. He had resolved that today, he would not let her slip away unnoticed.

The clock struck five. Kabir’s eyes scanned every corner—the reception desk, the narrow corridors behind the bookshelves, and his usual table by the window. Yet he saw no sign of anyone approaching his table to tuck a paper inside the book.

"Kabir, your favorite table is open. Aren't you sitting there today?" the librarian called out.

Startled, Kabir nodded and walked over to his table. He assumed no letter would arrive today. Yet the moment he pulled The Shadow of the Wind from the shelf, a pink envelope slipped out and landed softly on the floor.

His heart pounded against his ribs. How is this possible? I was standing right at the entrance!

He tore open the envelope immediately. Today, a faint scent of jasmine drifted from the paper.

"Do not try to find me, Kabir. Some things are beautiful only from a distance. If you come closer, this dream might shatter. Just know that whenever you smile, light fills this silent library."

— S

Kabir drew the paper closer, inhaling the delicate scent of jasmine. He inspected the shelf again—the letter had been placed between the books long before he arrived.

Turning sharply, he glanced toward the adjacent aisle. A girl in a white dress stood there with her hair loose, quietly arranging books on the shelves. Kabir closed the distance between them with quick steps.

"Excuse me!" he called out.

She turned, startled, holding a stack of books. A library staff badge dangled from her neck. Reading her nametag, Kabir paused—Ananya.

"Yes? Do you need any help?" Ananya asked.

Kabir hesitated briefly before asking, "Did you see anyone near The Shadow of the Wind section? Or perhaps a girl wearing jasmine perfume?"

Ananya offered a soft, subtle smile. "Many people come and go throughout the day. And the smell of jasmine... it might be drifting in from the garden right outside the window."

Her response left Kabir disappointed. But as Ananya turned to walk away, his eyes fell upon the notebook resting in her hand. Written on its cover in blue ink was the exact same handwriting from the pink letter.