In a fleeting moment, Isabel connects with a thin-faced woman at a bus window, who almost smiles at her. This brief interaction highlights the common barriers city life creates between individuals, where feelings of isolation often prevail. Isabel's yearning to reciprocate the woman's smile reflects her deeper longing for human connection amidst the anonymity of urban living.

However, she hesitates to act on her impulse, aware that such spontaneity might confuse or disturb the woman. This internal struggle represents the challenges many face in reaching out to others, revealing the complexities of modern social interactions where fear of breaking social norms often eclipses genuine humanity.