Chapter 4: When Silence Breaks
Eliza wasn't sure how many days had passed since their first window conversation. The silence between them had grown into something comfortable. Paper notes. Quiet smiles. Shared glances.
But tonight felt different.
The wind was stronger. The moon hung low, like it too was waiting.
Eliza opened her window slightly, leaning on the edge. She saw him already there — journal closed, pen in hand, but not writing.
Just watching.
Their eyes met. No paper today. No written words.
For a moment, nothing moved.
Then he did something unexpected.
He spoke.
"Hi…"
His voice was soft, deeper than she had imagined, but careful — as if worried it might scare the moment away.
Eliza blinked. Her heart raced.
She looked around — almost unsure if he was really talking to her.
"Uhm… hey," she replied, her voice quieter, almost like a secret.
He smiled — the kind of smile you give when you're relieved something real just happened.
"I wasn't sure you'd respond," he said.
"You were holding signs against the window. It was hard not to," she replied, a small smile forming on her lips.
"I'm Zayaan," he said, leaning a little closer to his open window.
Eliza hesitated, then said, "I'm Eliza."
A pause.
"I've seen you writing," she said.
"I've seen you thinking," he replied.
That made her laugh — really laugh for the first time since she'd arrived in Cresthill Bay.
The silence was finally broken — but somehow, it still felt just as gentle.
Their first real conversation had begun, not with fireworks, but with soft words and shared
air under a quiet night sky.
And it was perfect.