Watching the stars

The door to Riya's apartment swung open, and she stepped inside, exhaustion clinging to her like a second skin. The moment she shut the door behind her, she let out a long, weary sigh, her shoulders slumping as she kicked off her shoes. The faint scent of lavender and vanilla lingered in the air, a comforting contrast to the cold, impersonal world outside.

Without a second thought, she tossed her handbag onto the couch, the soft thud barely registering in her mind. Her legs felt like lead, her body heavy from the weight of the day. She didn't even bother turning on the lights, allowing the dim glow of the streetlamps outside to cast long shadows across her apartment.

The silence was deafening.

She sank into the couch, her head falling back as she closed her eyes for a moment of stillness. Her mind buzzed with remnants of the day... endless work, conversations that barely mattered, the routine that felt more draining than fulfilling. A deep sigh escaped her lips, the kind that carried unspoken thoughts and unacknowledged emotions.

After a few moments, she blindly reached for her phone, her fingers lazily swiping across the screen. She checked her messages, her notifications… nothing. Not a single text, not a missed call.

A dull ache settled in her chest, a familiar but unwelcome companion.

Loneliness.

She swallowed it down, forcing herself to shake off the feeling. It wasn't like she expected anything different. This was how her life had always been... quiet, repetitive, predictable.

Deciding she needed something to distract herself, she stood up and stretched, rolling her shoulders as she made her way toward her bedroom. The soft amber glow from her bedside lamp bathed the room in warmth, highlighting the small personal touches... a stack of books she had been meaning to read, a few travel souvenirs she had collected over the years, and the old telescope resting against the window.

Grabbing a fresh bathrobe, she stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Steam quickly filled the space, fogging up the mirror as the hot water poured down. The moment she stepped under the stream, a sigh of relief escaped her lips. The warmth seeped into her skin, easing the tension in her muscles, washing away the weight of the day.

She closed her eyes, letting herself linger in the comforting embrace of the water. In here, time felt different.... slower, softer, almost like she could forget about everything else, even if just for a while.

By the time she stepped out, wrapped in her robe, she felt lighter but still drained. She quickly dried her hair, changed into her usual oversized T-shirt and shorts, and grabbed her phone again. The thought of cooking made her groan... she was far too exhausted for that.

With a few taps, she placed an order from her favorite restaurant and leaned against the counter, watching the cityscape through her window. The streets below were alive with movement... cars speeding past, people walking in pairs or small groups, laughter echoing in the distance.

Her world, however, remained the same.

When the food arrived, she wasted no time unpacking it, the scent of spices filling the room. She curled up on the couch with her meal, her fingers idly flipping through Netflix as she searched for something to watch. The screen cast a soft glow over the otherwise dimly lit space, flickering shadows playing along the walls.

She ate in silence, barely paying attention to whatever show was playing in the background. The taste of the food was good, comforting even, but it wasn't enough to chase away the quiet emptiness that lingered inside her.

Once she finished, she cleaned up the small mess, wiping down the table before making her way to the bathroom. Her night routine was methodical... washing her face, applying skincare, tying her hair up. It was one of the few things in her life that felt structured, predictable, controlled.

And yet, tonight, something felt… different.

The feeling was subtle, like a whisper in the wind, an unspoken shift in the air.

She grabbed her telescope from beside her window and stepped onto the balcony, the cool night breeze brushing against her skin. The faint scent of rain still lingered, mixing with the crispness of the night air. Wrapping her arms around herself, she took a deep breath, gazing up at the vast expanse above.

The sky was breathtaking tonight.

Stars scattered across the darkness like a thousand tiny lanterns, each one a silent witness to the world below. The moon hung low, casting its gentle glow upon the sleeping city, painting everything in a soft silver hue.

This was her favorite moment... the one thing that never changed.

She carefully set up her telescope, adjusting the lens until the night sky came into focus. The constellations stretched before her, familiar yet always mesmerizing.

She exhaled softly, pressing her eye to the telescope.

And for the briefest second, she swore she felt the universe whispering to her..

- - - to be continued - - -