The first time I saw Bela, my heart felt a strange beat. It was at a village party that seemed to last forever. I was fifteen and still trying to figure things out. She was sixteen and had a calm way about her that was different from my wild energy.

At first, I didn't like her. When our eyes met, it felt like a small fight was happening between us. She would look at me in a way that felt like a test and a warning at the same time. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't. She would push me a little bit, like a small joke. Sometimes she would smile in a way that said, "I see you."

We first talked while playing a group game, boys against girls. It felt like the world wanted us to get to know each other. Through the fun questions, I started to see who she really was. She wasn't just pretty; she was smart and quick, like a strong sword covered in soft silk. Every time she answered, I couldn't guess what she would do next, and I liked that.

Soon, we started talking online. After a group photo, she asked for my Instagram. I gave it to her. Just like that, we had a new place to joke and test each other, away from the village. We sent each other many short videos, maybe ten or twelve a day. Each video had a secret joke or a hidden look. But when we saw each other in person, we acted like strangers. It was a fun game, and neither of us wanted to lose.

Then one day, she sent a video for a couple. It was a joke, but it made me want to talk to her in a normal way. Our conversations became less about a game and more about knowing each other. The next few days were full of messages and hidden laughter. It felt like walking in a dark forest, not knowing where the shadows stopped and the stars began.

One night, I asked her if she liked me. She said no in her playful way. But there were small signs she was just teasing. She would bump into me on purpose or give me a quick, sharp look. By the tenth day, I knew I had to play along. So I did the same things, keeping the fun going without getting hurt.

Then came a surprise. On the thirteenth day, she sent a message from her sister's phone, joking with me. "Would you like to be my brother-in-law?" it said. My answer was just as bold: "I'd be interested in making you my sister." It was a daring thing to say, and it made her laugh.

She then gave me a secret task: give her a rose the next day without anyone seeing. I did it. From then on, our talks got deeper. We shared small parts of our lives—where we lived, our families, and our small habits. In thirty days, we knew each other in a way that takes most people years to learn.

The game continued. In the village, she still seemed like a mystery, and I kept my eyes on her, feeling like both a protector and a rival. That secret game made every look and every message feel special, as if the air itself was helping our story hang between real life and a dream. Even with school stress, our world of jokes and secrets felt alive and full of wonder.