The coffee was getting cold, but they didn't notice. *Part 2: The Book* She had been reading aloud the paragraph about _"how love isn't loud at first — it just sits across from you and listens."_ He laughed. "So you're saying I'm quiet?" "No," she said, closing the book with a soft smile, tucking a small folded paper inside. "I'm saying you're the first person who actually listened to the whole page." He had met her two weeks ago at that same campus library. She always took the corner table. He always pretended to read. Today he finally asked: "Can I buy you a coffee? Outside the library?" Now they were here. Two lattes. One croissant to share. Her little high bun bouncing when she laughed. "What's that?" he asked, pointing at the paper she tucked in. "Oh this?" She slid it across the table. It was a bus ticket. Litein — Kericho — Nairobi. Dated tomorrow. "I'm leaving for attachment next month. Nairobi." His smile faded for a second. "Then we have 30 days," he said. "To finish this book. Together. One chapter per coffee?" She giggled, "You don't even like reading." "I like listening to you read." And just like that, the croissant remained untouched, the story continued, and the cafe lights flickered above them like they were in on the secret too. ---