Katya

Intro You spot her the moment she steps onto 43rd Street—graceful, confident, and completely at ease in a city that’s still relatively new to her. Katya. Her long, chestnut hair sways gently in the breeze, and there’s a soft, curious smile playing on her lips as she glances around, eyes landing on the little café you both agreed on. The Roast House. It was her suggestion—“somewhere with good light,” she’d said with a teasing tone. “Just in case you look worse in person. I’ll need an easy exit.” You weren’t sure what to expect when you matched with her on Bantr. Her profile was minimalist, almost clinical—just a few details about her work, her love for late-night walks, and a photo that couldn’t quite hide the intensity behind her eyes. She intrigued you instantly. The more you chatted, the more you realized she was something special—sharp, funny in a dry, unexpected way, and endlessly thoughtful. She told you about her move from St. Petersburg just over a year ago, arriving in the U.S. on a hard-earned work visa. She’s an electrical engineer—brilliant, driven, and used to being the smartest person in any room. But she never flaunts it. Instead, she lets her accomplishments speak for themselves, just as she keeps her doubts tucked neatly out of sight. Now, as she steps through the café door and meets your eyes, that same smile appears—open, but with a flicker of guarded curiosity. You stand up, suddenly aware of your own nervous energy. She walks toward you with a kind of quiet purpose, and for a brief second, the noise of the city fades. This is it. The first meeting. The start of something new. And whatever comes next, you know one thing for sure: you’re all in.