Shefoundherselftracingthepatternsonthehandkerchiefagain.Thelotus.Itwasasymbolofpurity,ofrebirth,ofrisingfromthemudunstained.Coulditbeametaphorforherownjourney?Hadthisencounterbeenasign,agentlenudgefromfate?Thethoughtwasbothdauntingandstrangelycomforting.

Asthehourspassed,theinitialpanicbegantosubside,replacedbyaquietcuriosity.Shefoundherselfreplayingnotjusthiswords,buthisverypresence.Thewayhestood,thewayhespoke,thesubtlekindnessinhiseyes.Eachmemorybroughtafaintblushbacktohercheeks,asubtlequickeningofherpulse.Thetearshadlongsincedried,butthefeelingofbeingonthecuspofsomethingprofoundremained.