Destined Strangers

Chapter 6

"The better part of Valour, is Discretion."

William Shakespeare

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Today is Sania's day off, so she wakes up a little later than usual. After getting out of bed and freshening up, she grabs her coffee cup and heads to the window, as she always does. The days have passed, but peace continues to evade her ever since the notes started arriving.

As Sania gazes out of the window, the memories of childhood drift into her mind. Back then, the comfort of home was a source of peace. The knowledge that she was safe, under protection, allowed her to rest easily. But now, she's grown, successful even. She questions herself-does she still need that sense of security?

Lost in these thoughts, Sania suddenly remembers that she is supposed to meet Hassan today. She hasn't forgotten, but the decision of whether to meet him or not has been weighing heavily on her. She doesn't know who's sending her these notes, but her intuition tells her that the person isn't ordinary. If that's true, would meeting Hassan put him in harm's way?

Her mind feels clouded, blocked. She knows a decision must be made soon, before things spiral further. She sets the coffee cup down on the table, the bitter taste still lingering on her tongue-though, right now, her life feels far more bitter than that.

Sania stands before the mirror, studying her reflection. Her serious face stares back at her. Taking a deep breath, she grabs her mobile and bag. She has made the decision.

The weather is slightly better today, though a chill still lingers in the air.

She arrives at the cafe Hassan had mentioned in his message. With another deep breath, Sania steps inside. Her eyes scan the room, looking for a familiar face. There he is, sitting in the corner, watching her as though he's been waiting for her all along.

His hair is neatly combed back, and his coat rests casually over the chair. As Sania approaches, Hassan stands and pulls out a chair for her.

"Thank you," she says with a slight smile, and he nods.

"Thanks for coming. I thought you might not make it."

She raises an eyebrow. "And why did you think that?"

"Just a hunch," he replies.

"But it turned out to be wrong. Though you say you're never wrong about people,"

He smiles in response

"But there are exceptions to everything,"

"So, I'm an exception?" she asks with a laugh of her own, just as the waiter arrives to take their order.

After they place their orders, Hassan circles back to her previous question.

"It's a fact-everything has exceptions."

He avoids the deeper meaning of her question, and she only smiles in response. There's a brief silence before he breaks it again.

"So, how long have you been living here?"

"A few months. Why?"

Hassan's face shifts slightly at her answer, though he quickly masks it.

"I just thought, maybe you don't know many people or places here yet."

Sania pauses, her gaze softening as she studies his expression, searching for hidden intent beneath his words. Her lips part slightly, but she holds back, letting the silence settle before speaking. When she does, her voice is lower, more measured.