The things we never say.

Chapter 3:The smile

I was late for work.

Not because I overslept.

I couldn't sleep.

I stood outside the building for almost ten minutes, trying to convince myself to walk inside.

I couldn't stop thinking about yesterday.

The old woman.

The man on the bus.

The thoughts.

They wouldn't go away.

Maybe everyone was right.

Maybe I was just tired.

Maybe I needed a break.

Everything looked normal.

Or so I thought.

I took a deep breath and walked inside.

The receptionist smiled at me.

"Morning."

"Morning."

My voice sounded normal.

At least, I hoped it did.

I sat at my desk and turned on my computer.

I checked my emails.

Meetings.

Deadlines.

For a while, I almost forgot everything.

Then my manager walked past.

"You seem quiet today."

I forced a smile.

"I'm just tired."

He looked at me for a moment before saying,

"You've said that three times this week."

Had I?

I couldn't remember.

He smiled and walked away.

But his words stayed with me.

That afternoon, I caught myself staring at my computer screen for nearly five minutes.

I wasn't reading anything.

I was thinking.

Trying to remember what had happened during lunch.

Nothing came to mind.

I knew I had eaten.

I just couldn't remember where.

Or who I was with.

For the first time...

That scared me more than anything.

I looked at the clock.

It was only 2:17 p.m.

Somehow...

It felt like an entire day had already passed.