Chapter 5

The following week felt like a rollercoaster of emotions for Maya. She kept herself busy with work, trying to drown out the thoughts that seemed to keep circling back to Ash. He wasn’t just a guy she met on a dating app anymore. No, he was starting to feel like a presence in her life. And that thought make her both excited and terrified at the same time.

She couldn’t deny the connection she had with him. The messages, the casual meet-ups, the way he seemed to always know how to make her laugh-Maya had to admit, it felt nice. But it was still too early. She wasn’t about to let herself fall headfirst into something again, not after everything she had been through.

But even though she tried to ignore it, Maya couldn’t help but think about Ash-how easy it was to talk to him, how comfortable she felt around him. He wasn’t like Alex. He wasn’t like the others. But then again, how could she really know?

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Ash.

𝗔𝘀𝗵: How’s your week going so far?

Maya stared at the screen for a moment, her heart fluttering slightly at the sight of his name. She quickly typed back, trying to sound casual, but her fingers were a little shaky. It had been a few days since they last talked.

𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: Same as usual, work, work, work. How about you?

It took only a minute before his reply came in.

𝗔𝘀𝗵: Busy but manageable. So, I was thinking, we should do something this weekend. Maybe take a break from all the work stress?

Maya raised an eyebrow. He was suggesting they hang out again? She wasn’t exactly against the idea, but it was starting to feel like they were falling into a comfortable routine. And while that sounded great, a part of her wondered if it was moving too fast.

𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: What did you have in mind?

𝗔𝘀𝗵: I was thinking of taking you to a park near the city. It’s too far from here. Just a quiet place to walk around and relax. No pressure, just a chill day.

Maya felt her lips curve into a smile. A walk in the park? It was simple, nothing fancy, but that’s exactly what she liked about it. She didn't need anything extravagant. A quiet day with him seemed perfect. And the thought of just being around him, without the weight of business or expectations hanging over them, made her feel... lighter.

𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: Sounds nice. I’m in. What time?

𝗔𝘀𝗵: How about 3 pm. I’ll pick you up.

The fact that he was offering to pick her up was a little more personal than their previous hangouts. Maya hesitated for a moment. Was she overthinking this? Probably. But there was still that little voice in her head reminding her not to get ahead of herself.

𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: Okay, 3 pm works. See you then.

After sending the message, Maya placed her phone down on the table and took a deep breath. She could already feel the nerves creeping in. Was she ready for this? It wasn’t a date, she kept telling herself. It was just a hangout, a way to get to know each other better.

Later that Afternoon...

When the day arrived, Maya stood in front of her mirror, unsure of what to wear. She didn’t want to look too put- together but also didn’t want to look like she didn't care. In the end, she settled on a casual outfit-jeans, a comfortable blouse, and sneakers. Simple but still cute enough to look like she made an effort.

Her phone buzzed again, and she checked the screen.

𝗔𝘀𝗵: I’m outside! : )

Maya grabbed her bag and headed out the door, her heart beating just a little faster. When she stepped outside, she saw Ash’s car parked right in front of her apartment building. The sight of him leaning against his car, waiting for her, made her stomach do a little flip.

He flashed her a smile as soon as their eyes met. “Hey, you look great,” Ash said, his tone light and casual, but there was something in his eyes-something that made her feel like he meant it.

“Thanks,” Maya replied, trying to sound nonchalant. She slid into the passenger seat, feeling the rush of warmth from the car's interior. Ash started the engine, and they began the drive.

As they made their way to the park, the car filled with easy conversation. Maya felt herself relaxing in his presence. It wasn’t awkward at all. He didn’t try to force any heavy topics, but instead, they talked about everything and nothing at all. From the best coffee shops in town to their most embarrassing childhood moments, the time seemed to fly by.

When they arrived, Ash parked the car, and they both got out. Maya took a deep breath of fresh air, enjoying the cool breeze. The park was beautiful, with green trees and wide open spaces. It wasn’t too crowded, which made it perfect for just strolling and talking.

As they walked, Maya felt at ease, but a part of her couldn’t shake the feeling that this was different. They were getting closer. And while she liked it, she still couldn’t help but wonder if she was opening herself up to something she wasn’t ready for.

“Not a fan of crowds, huh?” Ash asked, his voice breaking through her thoughts.

Maya glanced up at him, surprised by the question. “Yeah, I guess I’m more of a quiet, low-key person,” she admitted. “I like peace and calm, nothing too overwhelming.”

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I get that. Sometimes, it’s nice to just take a step back from everything and enjoy the quiet.”

They continued walking in silence for a few minutes, but it was a comfortable kind of silence. Maya didn’t feel the need to fill every moment with words. It was peaceful. The sounds of birds chirping and the rustling of leaves in the wind made it feel like they were the only two people in the world.

Ash glanced over at her, his eyes soft. “I'm glad you decided to come today,” he said quietly.

Maya smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “Me too. This is... nice. Just... being here.”

For a second, it felt like the world had stopped. Like everything else faded away, and there was just the two of them in the moment. Maya’s heart fluttered in her chest, and she quickly looked away, feeling a little embarrassed. Was it too soon to be feeling this way?

As if sensing her discomfort, Ash changed the subject, lightening the mood. They laughed as they talked about random things, but Maya couldn’t shake the thought that something had shifted between them. There was an undeniable connection there, and the more she tried to ignore it, the stronger it seemed to become.

By the end of their walk, they both felt the day slipping away faster than they had anticipated. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over everything, and Maya knew that this wasn’t just another casual hangout. There was something more to it, something that made her heart race every time Ash looked at her.

But as much as she wanted to give in to the feelings swirling inside her, Maya knew she had to be careful.

The last thing she wanted was to fall for someone who might not feel the same way.