He burst onto the rooftop, the heavy door banging against the wall.
Startled by the noise, Ifyoma turned around. She took a step back and slipped. A quick gasp escaped her lips as the edge came too close.
Tunday moved without thinking. In two fast strides, he grabbed her arm and steadied her with both hands.
Her body shook.
“It’s okay,” he said softly, still breathing hard. “You’re safe now.”
Ifyoma held onto him for a moment, her heart pounding. She had not planned to scare anyone. She had only needed air. But now, standing in a stranger’s protective arms, the pain inside her felt ready to spill out.
Tunday let her go slowly, making sure she could stand.
“I’m sorry,” Ifyoma said quickly, wiping her tears with her sleeve. “I wasn’t… I wasn’t trying to do anything bad. I just needed to think.”
Tunday studied her face, and in her eyes he saw it: grief, exhaustion, and a sadness far too heavy for someone so young.
He nodded, believing her.
“I understand,” he said gently, without judgment.
The wind filled the silence between them.
Finally, Tunday spoke.
“I’m Tunday. I work security here.”
Ifyoma hesitated, then nodded.
“I’m Ify,” she whispered, not saying her last name.
Tunday smiled a little more warmly this time.
“Nice to meet you, Ify,” he said as though they were meeting on a sunny street instead of on the edge of heartbreak.
She let out a small, broken laugh.
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