The city lights flickered to life as evening descended, reflecting off glass buildings that seemed to scrape the sky.

Kavya stood near the edge of a nearly empty street, clutching her file of documents tightly to her chest. Her braid had loosened from the day’s chaos, strands of hair framing tear-streaked cheeks.

Cars passed without stopping.

She looked impossibly small against the towering skyline.

A black luxury car slowed as it approached the intersection. The driver noticed her first—the way she kept glancing around, the panic in her movements, the way she tried to wipe her tears before anyone saw.

The rear window lowered slightly.

Kavya stiffened.

Her large, uncertain eyes met his through the dim glow of the streetlight.

Kavya: “I… I’m sorry,” she said quickly, stepping back as if she’d done something wrong. “I wasn’t blocking the road.”

Her voice trembled despite her effort to steady it.

Kavya: “I just… I lost my purse. I don’t know anyone here.”

She swallowed.

Kavya: “I came for a job interview.”