On a family bus trip, she first noticed me while I was loading luggage and labeled me “extroverted and kind.” Good start. But on the bus, while everyone was bonding, she avoided me like I owed her money. I tried small talk—her replies were ice cold. I stayed consistent all trip and went home sad. Later I learned she was shy, introverted, and raised not to talk to strangers. Also, she was in 4th grade and I was in 7th—so maybe I was just unintentionally scary. We later crossed paths at funerals and weddings. No words. No connection. Then she stayed at my house—turns out she’s a distant relative and my sister’s friend. After she left, I kept telling my mom I liked things “like her.” Mom switched to investigation mode. Families spoke. Her mother said, “When the time comes, we’ll discuss, Inshahallah.” From strangers on a bus… to “Inshahallah.”