The next few days were filled with more of the same. Sam found himself at the café, more often than not, waiting to see Mahiru. Each time they met, it felt less like a coincidence and more like a natural progression of something unspoken between them.
One evening, after their usual banter over coffee, they decided to walk again. This time, the conversation felt a little deeper, a little more personal.
As they walked side by side, Sam's thoughts wandered back to the conversation they'd had the other night. Mahiru's words about letting go of control lingered in his mind. He couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to stop overthinking, to just let things happen without the constant pressure of needing to have everything planned out.
"Sam," Mahiru's voice cut through his thoughts. "Do you ever feel like you're always planning your life, but you never really get to live it?"
He glanced at her, surprised by the question. It felt so direct, so personal. But somehow, he didn't feel uncomfortable answering her.
"Yeah," he said, pausing for a moment to collect his thoughts. "I think about everything too much. I plan things out to the smallest detail, and sometimes, it feels like I'm missing out on the spontaneity of life. Like, I'm not really living, just… waiting for the next step."
Mahiru smiled softly, her eyes reflecting understanding. "I get that," she said. "But sometimes, you need to let go and trust that things will work out. Life doesn't always need to be planned. It can be messy and unpredictable, but that's what makes it beautiful."
Sam's chest tightened as he listened to her. There was something about the way she spoke, the conviction in her voice, that made him feel like he was hearing the truth for the first time.
He stopped walking for a moment, turning to face her. "You're right. I think… I think I've been holding on too tight to control everything. I don't know why, but I'm always afraid of what'll happen if I don't plan it all out."
Mahiru looked at him with a thoughtful expression, as if she were seeing him in a new light. "Maybe it's time to stop worrying about the future and just enjoy the present."
Sam's heart raced, and for the first time in a long time, he felt like he could breathe a little easier. The pressure of planning everything seemed to lift off his shoulders, replaced by a new sense of freedom.
"Yeah," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe it's time."
They continued walking, the distance between them shrinking with every step. And for the first time, Sam felt like he was ready to let go—not just of his overthinking, but maybe of something more. Something he hadn't even realized he was holding onto until now.