Siya had always found comfort in music—it was one of the few things that made her feel truly alive, truly herself. Her guitar was more than just an instrument; it was her voice when words failed, her refuge when the world felt too loud or too harsh. Every Sunday, when she went to the riverside, she carried it with her like a trusted companion, its familiar weight slung over her shoulder, its strings ready to catch her emotions and turn them into melody. Today was no different—except that she was alone. Her friends, who usually insisted on being with her, had been unable to join her, though they never liked leaving her by herself. They knew how delicate her emotions could be, how quickly a peaceful moment could spiral into panic if someone unfamiliar got too close, or worse, if they touched her unexpectedly.

Siya’s friends were more than just people she hung out with—they were protectors, chosen family, the few who truly understood the weight she carried. They had seen her during her worst panic attacks, had been there to hold her hand when her breathing quickened, her eyes filled with fear, her body frozen in memories she couldn’t escape. They never let her be alone for long because they knew her silence could sometimes be a mask for a storm brewing inside. Yet today, as she sat by the river, plucking gentle notes from her guitar, there was a strange stillness in her heart. She missed the safety of her friends' presence, but in that solitude, she also found a kind of strength—fragile, but hers. The river whispered, the guitar sang, and for a moment, the world softened.

As the golden hues of sunset painted the sky in warm shades of orange and pink, she sat by the riverside, gently strumming her guitar, lost in the rhythm of her own world. Her soft humming danced with the breeze, creating a melody that blended perfectly with the tranquil flow of the river. It was her escape, a sacred moment of peace and solitude. Suddenly, she sensed someone approaching—a quiet presence breaking the serenity. Startled, her fingers froze on the strings, and her heart skipped a beat. A young man stood a few steps away, his voice calm and earnest as he asked, “Can I sing along with you?” But her mind was elsewhere, overwhelmed by a flood of thoughts—fear, confusion, vulnerability. The moment stretched longer than it should have as his words dissolved into the noise of her spiraling emotions.

She couldn’t process what he had said; all she knew was that her safe space now felt invaded. Without a word, she gathered her things and walked away swiftly, leaving behind the half-finished tune and a boy standing by the river, puzzled and a little hurt. He watched her retreat, his voice unheard and his presence unacknowledged, quietly whispering to himself, “Am I invisible or what?” The silence that followed was heavier than before, echoing with the questions left unanswered.

Frustrated that her peaceful evening had been disrupted by the unexpected encounter, she walked straight home, her thoughts tangled and mood dampened. Upon arriving, she greeted her family with a faint smile, not stopping for conversation, and headed directly to her room. Wanting to wash away the tension, she took a quick shower to freshen up. It was already 8:30 p.m. when she finally threw herself onto the bed, burying her face in a pillow, trying to muffle the whirlwind of emotions that still lingered.

As she lay lost in her thoughts, a soft knock pulled her back to reality. She got up and opened the door to find her brother standing there with a gentle smile. Noticing the distant look in her eyes and the heaviness in her expression, his smile faded slightly with concern. He stepped closer and asked quietly, “Is everything okay? You can tell me anything,” his voice full of warmth and genuine care, sensing that something had unsettled her.

Without holding back, she began pouring out everything to her brother—the quiet evening by the riverside, the calming strum of her guitar, and how it was all interrupted by the sudden appearance of a boy who asked to sing with her. She told him how the moment caught her off guard, how her mind froze, and how she panicked and walked away without responding. Her voice was a mix of frustration and confusion as she explained how the unexpected encounter had shattered her peaceful escape.

Her brother listened patiently, then gave her a reassuring smile and said, “It happens, don’t be so hard on yourself.” He gently reminded her that the boy probably meant no harm and just wanted to share a moment through music. “He just wanted to sing with you—can’t blame him, you’re a good singer,” he added with a playful wink, trying to lighten her mood.

She grinned at her brother and playfully muttered, “Fine, caveman,” conceding the teasing for a moment. Just as he turned to leave, her eyes narrowed as she noticed something familiar. “Wait a minute… is that my hoodie, you rascal?” she snapped, half amused, half accusing. Without missing a beat, he smirked and said, “It’s mine now—finder’s keepers, remember, Miss Invisible?” before darting away with a triumphant chuckle.

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For reader's to understand scenes

Riverside with guitar

Siya talking about her day

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•Was that guy random person or something else ??

• Will siya apologise to him ??

•Thank you for reading ❤️✨

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