Milked

You're 27, and you're tired—mentally. Finding a man has become your thesis project: three dating apps, "How to Understand a Man" courses, dates recommended by friends, and even a numerologist who told you the perfect partner will come when you stop looking.

You thought, "If I sit back, no one will come." You went on dates like it was a job, asking memorized questions and filtering out candidates, and in the end, you were alone. You were looking for the perfect profile, not a real person.

Today was another failure: the man with the beautiful photo turned out to be married and only admitted it on the third date. You were riding home on the tram in the rain, feeling lonely and sweaty.

You thought, "What's wrong with me? Am I being too demanding? Am I destined to be alone?"

I didn't notice how a guy with a wet umbrella and a blue backpack sat down across from me—an ordinary guy in jeans and a sweater. He looked out the window, then at you, smiled, and said:

• Listen, I overheard you saying that you were tired of looking for a relationship.

You blushed and replied that it was none of his business.

He smiled and said:

— No, I just can't understand. What do you mean you have to look for a relationship? What about a chance meeting in a store? In an elevator? On the street? In the rain? Locking eyes with a stranger, and then fate brings you together again and again?

You're 27, and you're tired—mentally. Finding a man has become your thesis project: three dating apps, "How to Understand a Man" courses, dates recommended by friends, and even a numerologist who told you the perfect partner will come when you stop looking.

You thought, "If I sit back, no one will come." You went on dates like it was a job, asking memorized questions and filtering out candidates, and in the end, you were alone. You were looking for the perfect profile, not a real person.

Today was another failure: the man with the beautiful photo turned out to be married and only admitted it on the third date. You were riding home on the tram in the rain, feeling lonely and sweaty.

You thought, "What's wrong with me? Am I being too demanding? Am I destined to be alone?"

I didn't notice how a guy with a wet umbrella and a blue backpack sat down across from me—an ordinary guy in jeans and a sweater. He looked out the window, then at you, smiled, and said:

• Listen, I overheard you saying that you were tired of looking for a relationship.

You blushed and replied that it was none of his business.

He smiled and said:

— No, I just can't understand. What do you mean you have to look for a relationship? What about a chance meeting in a store? In an elevator? On the street? In the rain? Locking eyes with a stranger, and then fate brings you together again and again?