The next night, Arif rows out again. Half out of curiosity, half out of longing.
She's there.
Waiting.
He brings hilsa again. She laughs, and her laughter dances on the waves. They talk—about the sea, the stars, the loneliness of the night.
Night after night, their bond grows. Arif finds himself smiling again. His world feels less empty. Less dark.
But she always leaves before dawn.