Epiphany

9:

- Hadia - 

"This food is so good." I commented the the fish salad I was eating my fish in the canteen. "Of course it would be, there's a reason why I'm here every lunch and not out. Cheap and delicious, what more could you ask for?" Sofia commented, taking a bite of her rice and vegetables. 

I chuckled softly. Sofia was the kind of person who made everything seem easy, even on the hardest days. We hadn't known each other long, but her company was a much-needed relief from the endless grind of work.

Around us, the canteen buzzed with voices. Snippets of conversations floated by, most of them about the company's new game launch.

"Have you seen the trailer? It's incredible," someone said behind me. "Mustafa Ibrahim strikes again," another added.

The mention of his name sent a small ripple through me, though I wasn't entirely sure why. I haven't properly seen him the past two weeks, with the hectic schedule.

"So," Sofia said, her voice cutting into my thoughts, "Did you watch the first-look trailer yet?" I shook my head. "Not yet. I've been busy."

Her eyes widened like I'd committed a crime. "Busy? Hadia, you're his assistant. You should've been the first one to see it." I shrugged, focusing on my salad. "I'm sure it's great. It always is."

Sofia didn't buy it. She leaned forward, narrowing her eyes like a detective catching a suspect in a lie. "Busy or avoiding?" she teased, her fork pointing at me like an accusation.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said lightly, though my cheeks felt warm under her inspection.

"Uh-huh," she said, drawing out the words as she stabbed another piece of broccoli. "You're telling me you don't watch his every move like everyone else in this office? Come on, Hadia. You're front and center. Right in the splash zone."

I rolled my eyes. "It's not like that. We're colleagues. Strictly professional." "Right. Totally professional," she said with a smirk, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "It's not like you have a front-row seat to Mr. Tall, dark, and broody's daily performance. Nope, not at all."

"You're impossible," I muttered, though I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.

Sofia leaned back with a triumphant grin. "I'm just saying, maybe you should start noticing more. For professional reasons, of course."

- After lunch -

The walk back to the office was pleasant, Sofia chatting away about her weekend plans. I wasn't paying much attention, though. My mind kept drifting back to her comments at lunch and that brief, tense moment with Mr. Mustafa earlier.

'Tall, dark, and broody,' Sofia had called him. I shook the thought away. 

As we neared the lobby, Sofia's pace slowed. "Hadia," she whispered, nudging me with her elbow. "Hmm?"

"That guy over there. He's staring at you." I followed her gaze and froze. Standing by the entrance was Faraz, a bouquet of bright pink lilies in his hand. "Huh?" I muttered.

Sofia raised an eyebrow. "Who is that?" "My neighbor," I said quietly, hoping he hadn't seen me yet. Her grin turned devious. "I'll give you two some space."

"No, wait—" I tried to stop her. Too late. She was already moving away, casually leaning against the wall a few feet away, pretending to scroll through her phone while keeping a clear line of sight on us.

"Hadia!" Faraz's face lit up as he approached me, holding out the bouquet. "Hi, Faraz," I said, forcing a polite smile. "What are you doing here?" I asked.