She was sitting under a tree with a book in her hands. She seemed deeply absorbed in reading, making all those expressions with her face and suddenly I felt a tug pulling my heart from my chest.

I had no idea why I looked. Then stared. Then lingered. My eyes worked against me. It was wrong not to lower my gaze, but something... strange happened to me. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I tried to be more subtle and less creepy, but I didn't know if I succeeded.

The tug on my heart persisted. I wanted to throw my book away and just go talk to her. The problem was, I would most definitely seem like a creep. My lucky shot would be a miracle.

God, please! Do something!

Then I heard the shrill cries, and it took me a moment to get the picture. A little boy was crying in the middle of the meadow, calling out for his mommy.

Alert, I dropped the book and looked around, trying to spot his mother somewhere nearby. His screams were intense. It reminded me of my baby sister. God, I missed her!

At noon, Central Park wasn't short on visitors, but nobody seemed to care. Either nobody noticed, or they were afraid to interfere. I left my things behind and hopped up to my feet.

A short distance away, I saw her stumble over the lawn, lurching toward the lost boy. She had this delicate beauty that some people might overlook. As delicate as a fragile, China doll.

What? She's his mother?!

My heart sank.

Her face was panic-stricken, although too young to be the boy's mother. The boy looked five, and she looked, perhaps eighteen? His sister, maybe? Her reaction felt too natural to come from a stranger. So genuine that it captured me.

I froze and watched in awe as tears drenched her innocent face. She floundered through the meadow, falling on her knees. She trembled like a bird in the rain and wrapped her arms protectively around the boy. Fascinating.

It wasn't the tears that affected me. It was the authentic gesture. Her instinctive reaction to nurture and protect. I was awestruck that someone so scared could look so... beautiful.

I treaded forward as she continued to calm the boy, stroking his hair. He didn't stop crying. She sobbed with him, her face pale. She shut her eyes, tipped her head back, struggling for air. My heart burned for her. It looked like she was choking, or fainting.

It struck me like a deja vu. I'd seen this before. She was having a panic attack. Mom used to have those when I was a kid.

Another woman came into view, running to the girl and the boy. The boy clung to her immediately. She scooped him up and took off.

They left the panicked girl crumbled on the ground, just like that.

My jaw clenched. I was compelled to go to her. She needed me. I couldn't just stand here and watch her suffer. I wanted to help and comfort her.

She was curled up into a ball, falling apart on the grass. I knelt in front of her frail body, and said the only thing that made sense to me.

"Breathe..."

The weeping girl raised her eyes to me and I needed someone to remind me to breathe too. She was breathtaking.

Lord! Bless her eyes!

She had the purest, most beautiful blue eyes I'd ever seen.

"You need to breathe," I said to the both of us, taken by the beauty of her eyes. "I think you're having a panic attack."

Silently, she stared at me, her eyes dazed, and extremely attractive.

Could she be a mute? No. That's not it.

Rubbing my forehead, I came up with the most ridiculous, childish plan.

"Do you like ice-cream?" I blurted out.

She glared at me, the dazed look pulling back.

Her response gave me the cue to continue. "Please, let me try, um, barbie dolls? Cotton candy? Unicorns? Chocolate?"

Her lips twitched, her eyes sparked, and I finally heard her speak. "W-what...are you saying?"

Her voice was small and tremulous. The sound of a harp. Beautiful.

A grin formed on my face. "I was... trying to distract you from a panic attack. I guess it worked, didn't it?"

Her face glinted. The paleness lessened and she inhaled.

Mission accomplished.

"May I help you up?" I asked, offering my hand. I knew I shouldn't think about it, but I wanted to hold her hand so badly. I wanted her close. I wanted so many things that I'd never needed before.

'Forgive me, God. I'm only a man,' I pleaded inwardly.

She seized my hand and we walked to her bench. I had to restrain myself from winding my arm around her. It seemed natural to do so.

When she sat, I dashed back to bring her some water.

"It's germ free, I promise. I didn't touch it," I joked.

Her answer was the most incredible blessing. She laughed lightly, a harp-like melody that gripped my senses.

She thanked me and lifted the bottle to her mouth. I couldn't stop myself from watching her while she wasn't looking. Her babyish face. Her dark pair of pigtails. Her lips as she drank.

God, I shouldn't.

I needed a distraction. Then I remembered I hadn't introduced myself.

"Akram Sadiq," I said, aching to know her name.

"Melody," she said and shook my extended hand.

I ogled, keeping her hand for a second longer. Her name made perfect sense. It suited her like her own skin. It was like I'd known it all along. Melody Fair. Like the song I'd loved as a little kid.

"Nice to meet you, Melody."

Melody. Melody. Melody. Her name rolled on my tongue like a sweet lullaby.

"Same here," she blushed and turned to look ahead.

Her blush was adorable. I wanted to touch her face, but I restrained myself. So, I copied her instead, staring ahead at the bright meadow. Somehow it had gotten brighter than a few minutes ago. I closed my eyes and breathed in. The brightness still glowed from within.

My mind replayed the previous incident over and over. There was something unique about her. Something special that tugged at my heart and stirred feelings I never knew existed. Was it her kindness? Her innocence? Her eyes? Maybe. But it didn't matter. I didn't know this girl, but I desperately wanted to. I needed it with every ounce of my being. It was a done deal.

And right now, I knew that I craved more of her in my world. I knew this moment would change my life forever. I knew this was the moment I found love...

*****

A/N

HO HO HO!

Sooooo do you recognize this moment? 😍

I hope my beloved MELODY readers enjoy this short and sweet entry from Akram's POV.

Much love

Most_bay

P.s.
Originally Written for the #WattpadLoveNotes contest, but this is an edited version. Just thought it needs its own book in the Melody collection 😇😁