CHAPTER 1

 

 

 

AWAKENING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      When awareness is born, it is usually already too late. Everything that once had meaning, taste, or scent… all of it ceases to exist, vanishing into the darkness of racing thoughts. These thoughts, piercing every corner of our mind, every cell of our body, and every particle of our being, make us realize that life is like a match. On one hand fragile and breakable, on the other one of a kind. Every match holds a flame. Each one burns with a different fire, a different color, a different strength, making it unique and irreplaceable. But there is one thing they all share. It is a story. A story that, from the very beginning, describes the birth of each match, its bloom, its hue, and most importantly, its time. Time, which only after being lit will determine how long it will illuminate its surroundings, which, unaware of its power, draw strength, faith, and the glow it gives. Yet time flows relentlessly until she appears, hope that one day, somehow, she will return. Perhaps it will be a different match, perhaps at first glance it will not resemble the one that has already gone, but when it ignites, then everything fleeting will once again gain meaning.

      I will tell you the story of a match whose flame was so strong that its surroundings would never let it go out. I will tell you how the love that sparked this flame suddenly vanished, leaving it to fate and its currents, like ash carried by the wind, which, after a moment, settling on random leaves, silently seeped into their structure to be reborn again, giving a new life cycle from what had just passed.

       I will tell you a legend that says that one day, as the sun was beginning to set beyond the horizon, a goddess descended from it, so beautiful that the radiance of her hair would shame every earthly being and more. The goddess, however, was not aware of her own grace. From afar, for centuries, she had been watching the fate of the universe, how it is born, how it changes, how it awakens and falls asleep. The picture, which at first glance seemed the same for ages, changed in her eyes every day. Stars multiplied, new shades and glimmers appeared. She watched and watched, searching for every, even the smallest, change so as not to miss anything that could affect the world she cared for so deeply.

Then one day, she noticed him in the distance on one of the planets. A tiny flame that no one had seen yet. She, however, knew that this little spark, the tiny light she saw in the distance, was extraordinary. She observed it discreetly as it grew, its glow brightening with each passing day. She watched and watched… Unable to resist the desire to meet him, she decided to come down to Earth. Under the cover of night, when no one expected her, she appeared before him as a delicate being, taking her first steps on the earthly plane, feeling that she was standing before someone who could change her entire universe.

Unaware of anything, he showed her kindness, which grew and took on new forms with each passing day. This is how their love was born. Years passed. The flame blossomed and illuminated them both, yet when her own light shone so brightly, she did not notice that his was fading more with each night. Only then did she realize that they came from different worlds. She was immortal, existing for centuries, he so delicate in his fleeting existence that the little flame she saw in him had blinded her so completely that time ceased to matter.

When she looked at him, and he looked at her, she realized that the passing of time, which had slowly begun knocking at their door, could not take him away without leaving a trace. She knew that only she could preserve that light forever. She decided to cut a strand of her hair and wrap it around his left wrist. The power flowing from it penetrated straight into his heart. That night she held him in her arms for the last time. When his flame went out and his eyes closed, she returned to her natural form, and from that day on, she would watch him only from afar. She made their love eternal. And although she would never hold him again, she knew that the piece she left behind would never let that love fade.

This is how the Phoenix was born.

      On the day this journey began, nothing hinted that fate would collide with destiny. Yet neither side was willing to yield; on the contrary, each saw only what had already been familiar to them. When two completely different worlds meet at a crossroads, each guided by its own current, what can happen? Is it possible for them to merge and create something entirely new? Something reality cannot accept? In such a situation, all that remains is inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, to keep what lingers on the tongue from taking root in the mind, and, worse, in the heart.

       I’ll start right from the beginning. That night, unable to fall asleep, I tossed restlessly in bed. Where had this feeling of unease come from? Could I just throw it out of my mind like a useless scrap of paper? Waking up, I went to splash my face with cold water, but even that didn’t help, the unease stayed, accompanying me until morning. I got up with only one thought – would I ever get rid of it? Why had it appeared so suddenly? I looked out the window, and the rising sun flooded the room with the colors of poetry, giving the surroundings an extraordinary glow. And that scent, seductive, subtle, carefree. I love freesias and their notes. Every morning, they quietly shift my moods, like light piercing through the depths, giving hope to everything and everyone for a better tomorrow. Och, Ana – I thought – what is going on in your head?!

      Today is the day I’m finally taking the long-awaited journey of my life. I’ve been saving money for it for five years, and if it weren’t for my grandmother, it probably would have never happened. Today I’m flying to Borneo, to meet and see the love of my life. The growing desire within me for touch, for closeness, lifted my excitement to new heights. Is it possible that standing at the threshold of a dream come true, I feel hesitation and fear? Why? What if this journey turns out to be nothing but disappointment? I’ve dreamed of this moment for so many years. Now I don’t even know anymore. In just a few hours, my life will change – but am I really ready for it? I looked in the mirror, and though I’m not one to talk to myself, I shouted, “World, here I come!” But before that happens, I’m going for a run.

     Lost in thought, I went downstairs, not hearing the sounds coming from the kitchen.

     – And where are you rushing off to? Haven’t you forgotten something?

     – Good morning, Grandma – I said.

     – Well, good morning. Where are you going?

     – For a run. I’m so excited about today’s flight that I have to sneak out to the park for an hour and run.

     – Remember, you promised Laura you’d help her decorate the hall with flowers at nine for the evening party.

     – Yes, I remember, I remember – I said, hurrying out.

     Fortunately, the house was located not far from the forest. For many years it had been neglected, but over the past two years, the city had put a lot of effort into turning it into a beautiful park that everyone could enjoy. Paths, bike trails, running tracks, and playgrounds for the little ones made people reconnect with the surrounding nature.

     I started running after my mother passed away. It was the only escape that allowed me to survive. It saved me from the emptiness that appeared out of nowhere, leaving a festering wound deep in my heart, taking away all the peace and harmony I so desperately needed at the time. Passing people in the park, I always wonder if, like me, they are trying to shake off similar emotions. Or maybe they are trying to come to terms with a fate that decides for them without asking their opinion. Sometimes it feels as if life is written in advance and no choice we make truly belongs to us.

     Halfway through my run, I realized I hadn’t brought any water. Unfortunately, the thirst forced me to stop. And that’s when the worst happened. The only taste I remember upon regaining consciousness was bitter, sharp, slightly salty.

     – Are you okay? – I heard.

As I lifted myself off the path, I swayed slightly.

     – Careful, maybe you should sit down.

     That voice again. Dazed, I opened my eyes wider and, leaning on a stranger’s arm, pulled myself up, brushing off my shirt. A sharp pain shot through my knee. Looking down, I saw a cut just above it. Blood trickled lightly from the wound. Without looking up, I waved my hand to indicate I was fine and hobbled toward the first empty bench.

     – Are you sure you’re okay? – the stranger asked.

Since the fall, not only did my leg hurt, but now my head was starting to ache. Looking up, I squinted against the sun and saw the man standing there. Blinded by the light, I waved my hand again and said:

     – No, I’m fine, you can go, I’ll manage. Next time, be more careful when you run.

     – Me? Be careful? – he asked.

     – And who? Me? I didn’t just bump into myself.

     – And who stopped in the middle of the path, me? – he replied, his voice slightly irritated.

     – Listen, my head hurts, my knee hurts too, just leave me alone and go.

     When I looked up again, I saw the silhouette of the stranger walking away, the briefest moment shaking my reality. His scent, when he helped me up, fresh, sharp, slightly sweet. I had never smelled anything like it. What could it have been?

Lost in thought on the way home, I decided to stop by the nearby café for tea. The only place around where you could taste real black tea imported from Sri Lanka. That morning the line was unusually long, so as I squeezed inside, I headed straight for the restroom. Passing by, I waved to a familiar employee who, seeing my scraped knee, shouted for me to wash it properly. On my way back, she told me my tea was ready. Smiling, I took the hot cup from her hands.

      Out of nowhere, I saw a child jump out of the line. It pushed me toward a nearby table where a couple was sitting, and the cup I was holding slipped from my hand, spilling its contents on my shoes and those of a few people in line. In the middle of all this, I suddenly felt someone wrap their arms around my waist. Looking down, I realized I was sitting on a stranger’s lap, and he had caught me, preventing a quick fall. I sprang up, muttering only “sorry,” and seeing that it was nine fifteen on the clock, I quickly ran off. Ten minutes later, I dashed into the florist’s, luckily close to my house, apologized to Mrs. Laura, changed into overalls in the back, and ran out as fast as I could to start loading flowers into the car for a party for some important client.

     – Ana, what happened to your knee? – asked Mrs. Laura, my grandmother’s friend.

     – There’s a lot to explain. I’ll tell you in the car. For now, let’s load everything and go. I still need to pack this afternoon – I replied, grabbing the next batch of trimmed flowers.

     – Alright, take these lanterns too, and we can go – Mrs. Laura said.

     – By the way, where exactly are we going? – I asked.

     – An important developer is celebrating the thirty-fifth anniversary of his company and is throwing a banquet. Our job is to decorate his garden.

Upon arrival, it turned out the seaside estate was enormous. The view from the house down to the lower parts of the property took my breath away. People were everywhere, but the decorating possibilities made me smile. I thought, these people really have it made. Over a hundred staff, maybe even more, were hired for the event. The light decorations alone were breathtaking. I could already imagine how stunning the place would look in the evening with all the lanterns lit. Mrs. Laura had brought in so many flowers that the supplier had sent eight trucks filled to the brim. I just hoped we wouldn’t run out, given the space we had to decorate.

     – Where do we start? – I asked.

     – This is a map of the property showing where each flower and lantern should go. Stay here, please, and I’ll handle the area in front of the house and on the ground floor, okay?

     – Alright. In that case, I’ll start with the garden and work my way toward the water. Please remember that I have to leave at four to make it to my flight at ten – I said.

     Focused on my work, I arranged my batch of flowers and lanterns at the entrance to the garden so they wouldn’t mix with Mrs. Laura’s, and got to work. The noise and chaos of all these people made me put on headphones and turn on music. This quieting down proved to be the key to working quickly and efficiently without distractions. Time flew, the flowers dwindled, and people ran frantically in every direction. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a figure walking slowly toward the water. Turning away, I lifted the last flower pot to place it on the final step. I looked up to assess the result of my work. The music in my head perfectly matched the moment. Suddenly, a shadow appeared over my right shoulder. I turned around. Right behind me stood a tanned man, staring at me with his brown eyes. His lips moved, but I heard nothing because of my headphones. Seeing that he held a camera in one hand and a watch on the other wrist, I grabbed the one with the watch. Twisting it slightly, I stared at the time in disbelief.

     – I’m going to be late – I whispered.

     Ignoring the stranger, I started running up the stairs. Could time really gallop at the speed of light? I had just checked my phone, and there was still plenty of it, and now already none, quite the opposite. I ran like a horse, using every ounce of strength to reach the finish line and claim its coveted prize. I looked around, but by the entrance gate, I couldn’t see Mrs. Laura’s car anywhere. Fortunately, one of the drivers was heading my way and agreed to give me a ride. Thoughts of being late churned in my mind with every passing minute, and I also thought of the stranger who had spoken to me, but what did he say? Well, for now, the most important thing was to make it to the airport. I checked my phone again, and it was six o’clock. How was this possible? Two hours late.

     Jumping out of the car, I thanked the driver and ran into the house as if my shoes were on fire.

     – Stop – I heard.

     – I don’t have time, I need to pack, I’ll be late – I replied.

     – I’ve already packed for you; I had a feeling you’d be late. Everything you need is here. – Grandma, pointing at the suitcase by the door, laughed.       – Go, take a shower, and I’ll make sandwiches for you to eat in the taxi on the way to the airport.

     – You’re the best grandmother in the world. – I kissed her and ran upstairs like I’d been burned straight to the shower.

     A moment later, a taxi pulled up in front of the house. At the airport, I still had two hours before departure. It seemed like plenty of time, but nothing could be further from the truth. At check-in, I was told that two tickets had mistakenly been issued for the same seat. The person holding the duplicate ticket had already checked in, and unfortunately, there were no seats left for me. The shift manager, trying to resolve the situation, contacted a private carrier. They had a flight to the same destination just one hour later and, after consulting with the client, agreed to take an additional passenger. My economy flight had just turned into a private flight.

I was escorted to the VIP area to wait for check-in. An hour later, I was boarding the plane, which was waiting only for its client. Once on board, I asked if I could use the restroom. They pointed the way, and I tossed my bag onto the first empty seat before heading to the restroom. Moments later, I felt the plane start moving. I quickly washed my hands, and on my way back to my abandoned bag, I saw a man sitting directly in front of it. I sat down as if hypnotized.

     – Is that you? – I asked, surprised.

     He looked at me with mild curiosity and disbelief from the other side. Not waiting for him to speak, I went into full chatter mode.

    – We met today on the stairs, you said something to me, but I didn’t hear it because I had headphones on. What did you say? And I’m sorry for running off like that, but I didn’t want to be late for this flight. Actually, not this flight, mine turned out to be the duplicate, I mean, not the duplicate, there was a mix-up, and my seat was sold to someone else who arrived first, so that’s why I’m here now. I’ve had bad luck all morning. I was bumped in the park, tea was spilled on me in the café, and now this. I wonder how this day will end. Please forgive me, how nervous I am, I talk too much. – Taking a deep breath, I reached out my hand. – I’m Ana.

     He was about to respond when a flight attendant came over and asked if we wanted something to drink. I declined, and the stranger just nodded. Once she walked away, the man started studying me in such a way that the plane seemed to shrink to the size of a cocoon. He sat half a meter away, with a faint smile playing on his lips, and those eyes… My God, the longer I looked, the more my sense of the situation melted away. I thought, he’s a walking ideal. About six foot five, athletic build, tanned like a catalog vacation model, hair tied back in a ponytail, shoulders you could sink into for hours, and that gaze. Oh, those eyes, like two glowing coals. Focus, Ana, focus – I thought.

     – So? – I asked, my throat dry.

He looked at me with a “so what?” expression. I asked again:

     – So, what’s your name? – A thought flashed through my mind, something’s off. Any normal person would have introduced themselves by now.

Seeing my slight irritation, he smiled and said: – Pablo.

     He watched me like a hawk watches its prey. Fully focused, not taking his eyes off me. A few seconds passed before his words reached me, or rather, not so much words as a voice.

     – It's you – I said.

     – Are you okay?

     – What does that mean? Are you following me? – The astonishment in my head turned into shock. How could such a coincidence happen? It's absurd.

     – Me? Why would I? I think I should be the one asking what you’re doing here – he said, straightening in his seat.

     – Are you kidding me? Not only do I have a bruised knee because of you and a headache all day, but now you're teasing me. What is this? Some new form of apology for this morning? Or maybe guilt? – My voice gained momentum with every word.

     – What are you talking about? I ran into you because of you. If you hadn’t stopped so suddenly, I would have avoided you and the accident would never have happened. Besides, later it was you who ran into me.

     – Me run into you? – That was too much.

     – Yes, in the café, don’t you remember? – he said in a raised voice.

     – That was you? Wonderful, I got a stalker! Have you been following me for a long time? My God, the park, the café, a private party, and now this flight with you, just the two of us. And I'm supposed to believe this is all just coincidence? Not a chance! – I shouted. – Don’t come near me! Do you hear me?! Don’t come near me and don’t speak. I have pepper spray in my bag, and the moment I see you get close, I won’t hesitate to use it! – I shouted even louder, standing up from the seat.

     – What are you talking about? Go back to your seat. I don’t know you, I’ve never met you before. Today is pure coincidence. – Pablo got up from his seat and gestured for me to sit.

     – Don’t touch me! – I barked.

     – Trust me, I really am not a stalker, I too, like you, am surprised by this day – he replied.

     – Move away from me or I’ll start shouting. – Panicked, I raised my hands in a gesture of calling for help.

     – Do as you wish – saying this, he sat back in his seat, then, without looking at me anymore, pulled out some documents and focused on them.

I sat on the opposite side to keep an eye on him. The tangle of thoughts in my head grew even denser. How did I get here? A private plane, right, sure. And I, naive as a sheep to the slaughter, am flying. Trust him? Never in my life! Fear, shock, agitation, terror, anger – those were probably some of the feelings tearing through me. And on top of that, his furtive glances. My God, I just hope I don’t fall asleep, because I might never wake up! And then I fell asleep. I was awakened by a gentle brush against my cheek.

     – Ana, we’re here – said Pablo, crouching and looking at me with those coal-like eyes.

     – Okay, I’m getting up. – Sleepily, I smiled at him.

     When I had gathered enough awareness to remember who he was, I jumped up nervously from the seat. Grabbing my bag and suitcase, I headed to the flight attendant, quickly asking if this was Borneo. She smiled and nodded.

Stepping onto the passenger stairs, I was surprised by the dim light on the island. Seeing Pablo ahead of me, walking like the executioner of fate, I wanted to run. Unfortunately, as if on purpose, my foot slipped on the last step. Flying, I had only one thought in my head. Oh, Ana! I landed softly on his chest, and my hands instinctively went to his shoulders. He caught me, pulling me close. Then our eyes met. And for a split second, in that brief moment, I felt my heartbeat accelerate. But whose heart, his or mine? I only know that this day, this night, should already be over. With slight embarrassment, I stepped a meter away from him, thanked him for his help, grabbed my suitcase, and started heading toward the hangar.

     – Ana – he said quietly.

Hearing my name, I turned like a deer, which, avoiding death, started looking at its would-be predator with fear.

     – Here’s my car, if you want, I can drive you to the hotel. – He stopped and gestured to the driver waiting nearby.

     – No, thank you – I replied, bitterly, with my blood pressure racing, and headed to the exit.

Leaving, I made sure he wasn’t following me. He, however, got into the car and drove off. When I reached the customer service office, they showed me the way to the taxi stand. I got to the hotel in twenty minutes. It was four a.m., so I still had five hours of peaceful sleep.

 

     Upon waking, the sounds of nature began to reach me. The hotel was located near a lagoon, surrounded by thousands of spherical islets, like a volcanic epic, which, drawing its unique landscape, made a statement on a global scale. The blue of the water reflecting the sunlight created a mirror of images so varied that every blink captured a new frame of memories. The only music the island lived by came from nature itself. The distant sounds, the birds singing, the waves rustling—this was all my soundtrack for seven days. Would I ever be able to enjoy it fully? Life here was a true paradise for the body, soul, and mind, and I intended to experience it all and make the most of it, and in seven days, before leaving, I believed I would meet the love of my life. My grandmother had been telling me since I was a child that the fate of our family had been written on the pages of this island for centuries. Our ancestors came from here, so every new generation must return to find their life path.

Dressed and ready, I went downstairs for breakfast. At the reception, there was a notice that it was possible to explore the island with a guide. I asked to schedule a full-day tour for tomorrow, if possible, and then headed to the restaurant to eat and enjoy the surrounding views. After a few minutes, a receptionist approached my table.

     – Ms. Ana? – she asked.

I nodded.

     – The hotel guide unfortunately has every slot booked until the end of the month, but one of the island’s residents has been here since yesterday. He knows the island very well, and if you’re interested, he has a free slot tomorrow and can show it to you. – The woman waited for my response with a smile on her face.

     – Of course, absolutely, if that’s not a problem. How can I contact him? – I asked.

     – Here’s his phone number. Please send an SMS with the time and place he should meet you, and he’ll come.

     – Thank you very much for your help. Could you also show me the way to the beach?

     – Certainly. Follow this path. After one hundred meters, turn left, then a little straight ahead and turn right. Then continue straight and you’ll reach the beach. – The woman nodded and walked away.

     Alright, Ana, straight, then right, then left, and beach. Time to go. Returning to my room, I grabbed what I needed and, butterflies in my stomach, ran toward the longed-for beach. Along the way, I listened to the birds singing. My astonishment grew with each passing minute as, moving away from the hotel, the sounds became stronger. I walked and walked, a smile on my face that wouldn’t fade. Suddenly, my feet hit the ground. Looking down, I noticed that the path I was following had ended, and dense bushes grew ahead. Where was the beach? – I thought. I was supposed to walk a hundred meters, but how far had I gone? Oh, Ana, I hope you haven’t gotten lost.

     Looking around, I tried to remember the last time I had seen another person. Why do these things always happen to me? I thought I’d take a few steps back to return to the path and go in a different direction; after all, paths always lead somewhere, right? Raising my gaze, I tried to estimate which side the sun was on. Unfortunately, the trees were too tall, and I couldn’t see anything. Time passed, and I kept walking. My God, I hope no wild animals live here and won’t eat me. I hadn’t even looked up what dangers might be lurking here. I hoped to meet someone along the way.

Pulling out my phone, I sighed heavily – no signal. Great. It was approaching three o’clock. That’s probably not too bad – I thought. On the other hand, I had been walking for several hours and still couldn’t hear the sea or see the beach. Better go back the same way I came, but which way was that?

     Another hour passed, and panicked, I began calling for help. Silence. Only the sounds of birds. I sat under a tree because I was hungry, and then I saw the forest darkening. Twilight was approaching in small steps. What I began to feel at that moment was not fear, oh no, not that. Not panic either, it was something worse. Something that can arise in the mind of a person who realizes that the surrounding reality might be the last image they see in life. That something was the awareness that the end of life in the wild wilderness, accompanied by animal growls from all around, might be coming. And I am not ready for that. What now? Maybe I’ll turn on music on my phone, maybe someone will hear me and find me? And if the battery dies? Then at night I won’t see a thing. Oh, Ana, how foolish you are. Alone on a foreign island, in the jungle, without battery, without signal. If only I could see the stars, maybe they would show me the way. Shout, someone must hear you, shout.

     – Hello, is anyone there? I’m lost, help. Can anyone hear me? Hello, I’m Ana, is anyone there?

Total silence.

Suddenly, I noticed a bush bearing some kind of fruit. Approaching, I sniffed one, and just as I was about to pick it, a male voice spoke from the silent forest.

     – I wouldn’t do that.

My scream must have been heard by every bird on the island because for a fraction of a second, a silence fell, the kind that perhaps the native inhabitants had not heard for centuries.

     – Why are you screaming? Calm down.

     – What are you doing here? – I managed to choke out in shock.

     – My house is nearby. I heard someone calling for help, so I came. – Standing and looking at me, he added after a moment: – Are you okay?

I didn’t know what to say. Nervously glancing around, I asked where we were.

     – Come with me, it’s getting dark, not very safe, especially for someone who’s never been in this forest.

     – I’m not going anywhere with you – I replied.

     – Why are you so stubborn? If you don’t want to, don’t go – saying this, he began to walk away, heading into the dark thicket.

I looked back, and there was no one else but him, unfortunately, no one at all.

     – Wait for me! – I shouted.

After a few dozen meters, we reached a hut located right by the beach. The cove, shaped by the setting sun, presented a fairy-tale scene. Unable to believe that people could see such a view every day, I turned to him and said:

    – It’s so beautiful here.

Stepping closer to me, he stopped beside me and for a brief moment looked in the same direction as I did. Suddenly, I felt a cold wind pierce me. I hugged myself, and when he noticed, he took off his sweater and draped it over me. I looked at him, he looked at me. Turning his head, he indicated that it was time to go into the hut.

     From the outside, it looked very modest, but crossing the threshold, I felt as if I were entering a typical city house, where nothing was missing. It gave the impression that if it weren’t for the indigenous decor, such a house could even be in my neighborhood. I began to look around cautiously, trying to imagine what kind of person could live in such a beautiful place and in such a hut. It wasn’t large, it had two rooms, a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom. Yet there was something charming about it. Various photos hung on the walls, wooden figurines stood on the cabinets, all coming together to create a unique atmosphere.

     – Could you lend me a charger? My battery died, and I’d like to call the hotel to send a taxi.

     – You won’t be able to reach here by taxi. The only way to my hut is along the beach, so I was really surprised when I heard your voice from the forest.

     – What? But the hotel told me it was close to the beach, and that’s how I’ve been walking.

     – Which hotel are you staying at? – he asked.

     – Tropicana Hotel – I replied.

     – Really? – he answered, surprised.

     – Yes, why the surprise?

     – How long have you been walking through the forest? – he asked, ignoring my earlier question.

From his expression, I could tell he was increasingly amused.

     – I don’t know… since ten, why? – I began to get anxious.

     – My hut is fifteen kilometers away from your hotel. I’m impressed that you made it this far and nothing happened to you. – He stood up and, still amused, went to put on some water. – What would you like to drink?

     – If you have it, I’ll have some tea, please – I replied, still in shock from what I’d just heard. Fifteen kilometers? But the beach was supposed to be just around the corner.

     – You’re probably hungry, I’ll make us something to eat. I have fish; we can light a fire and grill it.

     – I’m already drooling – I answered without thinking.

Not knowing what to do with myself, I walked over to the kitchen. Watching him pour tea into the cups, I noticed that this whole situation didn’t seem to faze him at all.

Who is he? How did it come to be that we keep running into each other? So lost in thought and staring at him, I didn’t notice that he had started looking at me too.