Destined Strangers

Chapter 28

"Find what you love and let ik kill you."

Charles Bukowski

🌙

"Only once in my life.."

His words felt like someone had clenched her heart tightly. She is staring at him without blinking, unsure of how to react, so she doesn't react at all. She just keeps looking at him, with one question circling in her mind: Does Hassan love someone? Who? Does he still love her?

"Who?"

She looks at him and asks. She doesn't know what he will say, but she asks the question impulsively. She's not even sure if it's appropriate to ask, but something strange in her heart makes her ask anyway.

Hassan looks at her, then leans forward thoughtfully.

"I would tell you, but your three questions are already up."

He speaks innocently, and Sania snaps out of her trance, glancing around.

"Now it's my turn... What should I ask?"

Hassan observes her closely, his focus sharp on every slight movement, and every reaction of her, yet he stays silent, a silent observer.

"Ask whatever you feel like."

Hassan pauses, contemplating what to ask. Should he inquire about her family? But he already knows everything-their influence and how they will undoubtedly oppose the relationship after Sania's condition for divorce. It's not just one obstacle; there are many. He sighs deeply. Should he ask if she loves someone? But he already knows what her response will be. Besides, living with her has already revealed the subtleties of her preferences, like whether she reaches for tea or coffee at certain times. So, what can he possibly ask? Silently, he observes her with careful attention, noting every detail.

"Ask..."

Sania's voice pulls him out of his thoughts.

"I'll just ask one question... You can have my other two. Do you want to ask anything?"

Sania looks at him, her expression thoughtful for a moment. She hesitates, then gives a small nod, her lips curving in a barely-there smile. Hassan's face softens.

"Are you really so interested in my love life?"

Sania raises an eyebrow, staring at him for a beat, then rolls her eyes in response.

"I'm not."

"Alright, I believe you." He says rolling his eyes, mimicking her earlier action.

"Hassan?"

She glares at him, but there's a hint of something softer beneath it. Hassan's smile turns a little warmer.

"Okay, ask. What do you want to ask?"

She wants to ask who he loved, but she stays silent.

"Do you regret anything?"

"Yes,"

Hassan says after a brief pause, the playful glint in his eyes fading as he senses the shift in the air.

"What do you regret?"

He averts his gaze from her face. Sania observes him in silence, realizing in that moment how easily she could spend hours in his presence without feeling the need to turn away. There's a quiet comfort in simply being near him, a sense of ease that surprises her.

"It's okay if you don't feel comfortable."

Hassan remains silent in response. Some things are painful, and no matter how much we want them, we don't have control over them.