COINCIDENCE

Devastated

Nad was devastated. She had just gone through a painful breakup with her long-term partner, and she felt like her whole world had come crashing down around her. For months, she had tried to fix things, to rekindle the flame that had once burned so brightly between them. But in the end, her partner had decided that it was time to move on.

Nad felt lost and alone. She had invested so much time and energy into the relationship, and now it was all gone. She spent most of her days in bed, crying and wondering what she had done wrong.

One day, as she was grabbing her morning coffee, she noticed a man sitting at a nearby table. He was reading a book and sipping his coffee, lost in thought. Nad recognized him from around town, but they had never spoken before.

As she waited for her coffee, Nad couldn't help but steal glances at the man. There was something about him that intrigued her, something that made her want to know more.

Finally, she worked up the courage to strike up a conversation. "What are you reading?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

The man looked up and smiled. "Oh, just a book about history," he said. "Do you like to read?"

Nad nodded. They chatted for a few minutes about books and coffee, and then Nad found herself opening up about her recent heartbreak. The man listened attentively, offering words of comfort and understanding.

His name was Ars, and he had also gone through a painful breakup recently. They commiserated over their shared experiences and found that they had a lot in common, from their taste in music to their love of hiking.

As they parted ways, Ars gave Nad his number and told her to call him if she ever wanted to talk or go on a hike together. Nad felt a flicker of hope in her heart, something she hadn't felt in a long time.

Over the next few days, Nad found herself texting Ars more and more. They talked about their favorite books and movies, and they made plans to go on a hike together. Nad felt like she was slowly coming back to life, like she had found a kindred spirit who understood her pain.

Their first hike together was a turning point for Nad. As they walked through the woods, surrounded by nature and fresh air, she felt like she was shedding her old self and becoming someone new. She laughed and joked with Ars, feeling a sense of lightness and joy that she hadn't experienced in months.

As the sun began to set, Nad and Ars found themselves sitting on a log by a small stream. Nad felt a pang of sadness, knowing that their time together was almost over. But then, Ars turned to her and said, "I know this may sound crazy, but I feel like we have a connection. Would you like to go on a real date with me?"

Nad felt her heart skip a beat. She had never expected to find someone so soon after her breakup, but there was something about Ars that made her feel alive again. "Yes," she said, without hesitation. "I would love to."