"Dalia, Hi, what a surprise," Naila put on a fake show while her heart trembled.
"What are you doing here?" That's what Dalia asked instead of greeting her.
"I work here," it was like an interrogation session.
"Strange," Dalia replied.
"Why? How come you're here?" Naila asked back.
"I'm doing my post graduation here at the college," Naila then recalled the popular university here.
"Of course, Danish once told me about it. So final year?" Naila kept smiling.
"Yes, yes, and this is," Dalia looked at Luke. "Have I seen him before?" She asked.
"No of course not. This is my friend, Luke," Naila introduced him.
'Friend?' Luke looked at Dalia and nodded. 'Why did she say that?'
The two sat at the different table leaving Luke alone. "It was great great catching up with you Luke. See you later," she said.
"Sure," Luke said looking confused but managed to catch up with the act. "I will see you around," he said and continued with sipping his cup of coffee. Naila had a little more to finish but he did not wish to stir trouble for her.
"How come you're working here? Where exactly?" Dalia asked.
"At the school. I joined here early this year," she said.
"You're a teacher now?" Dalia aksed sounding surprised. "I heard that you left home. And Danish is busy with work. I did not know what you were doing," Dalia said.
"Things happened," Naila kept that smile throughout.
"That was terrible. I mean I could not accept when I heard.. you left.. that's shocking, what made you) how could you?" Daliya asked.
Naila just looked at her finger she kept twisting. She stopped fidgeting. She looked up at her face. "Terrible things happened because I let it happen. And when I realised it, it felt a lot easier to abandon things that were no longer meaningful. I hope no one goes through it. No woman. Ever."
"Naila," Daliya looked unconvinced. "Are you blaming..." but Naila stopped her.
"You are young. You would not know. You are lucky no one forced you. At you age.. I did not have that freedom. You would not understand. Unless you really wish to understand," Naila just looked at Daliya's face who kept protecting her cousin. "If I'm to blame anyone, it's me, I let it all happen and finally took control of it," Daliya sighed.
"Whatever, I guess there is no going back then," Daliya understood that much. Luke stood up and left the table. He paid and walked out the door. Naila noticed it, but she did not move. She just sat with Daliya.
"No, there is no going back to him," Naila clearly stated it.
"What did he do that made you leave? What is it?" Daliya wanted to know.
"Have you been in love dear?" Naila asked.
"Of course!"
"And what would you do when that love drain you? Change you? When you realise you have been the giver? When you realise this love is one-sided? When you realise that this relationship is making you lonlier. You two are at one point but places and places apart, to the point that the conversations and actions are nothing but formality, for the sake, nothing but sharing the same roof with a familiar stranger, what would you do?" Daliya did not know what to say.
"I don't know. Maybe I will..." she stopped.
"Leave?" Naila asked.
"He hurt you.." she finally said. Naila smiled.
"Hurt," she smirked.
"Men do not deserve to marry," Daliya said.
Naila laughed. "I will find my own happiness now on. This is my new chapter. I hope we all get to live the way we want and hold no grudges in the future," Naila expressed her hope. "So you have one semester left then?" She then changed the topic.
"Yes. Have to find a job soon. Head back home. Start new," Daliya replied.
"Here is your take away Miss," the waitress handed Daliya a bag.
Daliya had come to order food and return back to hostel. And the encounter happened.
"I better leave, my roommates would be starving," she said and got up. "Will see you around then," she said and left the table.
"See you around," Naila said and smiled. She took a deep breath.
"Any tips?" Daliya asked turning back.
"Don't get married till you are independent," Naila confidently said.
"Noted," Daliya smiled and left.
"I did not even get to finish my breakfast," Naila frowned.
"Did he leave?" Naila asked the waitress. And she nodded back. Naila stepped out of the cafe and started walking down the road. It was very chilly. She looked at the clouded sky. The air that touched her cheek felt like ice being run through the skin.
"It probably might snow," she heard someone suddely speak. Naila jumped out of scare as she did not expect someone to walk behind her and speak.
"Goodness," she turned around. "Luke," she sighed. "You scared me," she confessed.
Luke laughed. "But you did not attack," she replied. She hit his arms then. It felt strong. Muscular.
"Are you not cold?" She asked.
"I am. Should have taken my jacket. Let's get in," he said, unlocking the car.
The two got into the car quickly and he turned the engine on. "I thought you left," Naila said.
"No. Why would I? You were still in there. Meeting somebody. I cannot leave then," Naila looked at Luke. Words that he spoke casually. He had no idea what it meant to her. "What?" He asked her. Naila shook her head and smiled, looking away. She wondered. 'Why am I even here with Luke? Why do I even trust him? How did it come to this?'
"Who was that?" Luke asked. "You told her I'm you friend and completely isolated me."
"That's my husband's sister," Naila replied.
"What? She looks so different," Luke said.
"Cousin, not own," Naila explained. "Wait how do you know my husband's sister? How do you know Danish?" Naila was shocked.