October 18th Mai asked if I believe in soul ties – the kind where you meet someone and something in your chest just knows . I said no. But I think about the boy at the night market who held my hand so I wouldn’t lose him in the crowd. He let go as soon as we reached the noodle stall. Didn’t say a word. But for thirty seconds, his palm was warm and a little sweaty, and I thought: Oh. So this is what it feels like to want someone to hold on longer than necessary.