The following morning felt unusually bright—not due to any change in the sun, but because Arriella awoke with a surprising lightness in her heart. For once, her mind was free from the weight of regrets or memories she had been trying to escape.
She took her time getting ready for work, carefully brushing her hair, smoothing her shirt, and even applying a touch of lip gloss—something she hadn't done in weeks. Perhaps it was just a fleeting moment, or maybe yesterday's conversation with Khalid had created a small opening for hope to enter.
Upon her arrival at the shop, it was quiet. The owner wasn't there yet, and the street outside was just beginning to stir. She opened the windows, swept the floor, organized the shelves, and hummed softly to herself—a familiar tune from her childhood.
For once, the silence felt comforting rather than lonely. It felt serene.
---
By noon, only a handful of customers had visited. Arriella sat behind the counter, engrossed in one of the simple notebooks they sold—blank pages that she filled with her favorite quotes. She penned another one:
"Healing doesn't always roar. Sometimes it whispers."
The bell above the door jingled softly.
She looked up and smiled instinctively.
"Khalid," she said, pleasantly surprised. "You're back already."
"I promised I'd check on you," he replied with a grin, holding two packs of biscuits and a bottled drink. "I brought some snacks. I wasn't sure what you liked, so I took a guess."
Arriella blinked in surprise.
"Thank you," she said softly. "You didn't have to do this."
"I wanted to," he replied, pulling out a chair to sit across from her. "How's your day going?"
"Slow," she admitted. "But peaceful. I can't complain."
Their conversation flowed more freely this time. Arriella found herself laughing at his jokes, rolling her eyes at his exaggerations, and even sharing little things she usually kept to herself.
She spoke about her school days, her big dreams, and how it felt like life had paused for everyone but her.
Khalid listened intently, resting his chin on his hand. "You know," he said gently, "you haven't lost who you are. You're just... in a plot twist. Every good story has one."
Arriella smiled at that—a small but genuine smile.
Khalid leaned in closer. "Have you ever considered online courses? Or learning something flexible until you're ready for school again?"
"I have," she admitted. "But I don't even know where to begin."
"I can help," he offered simply. "There are free platforms available. You can start small—no pressure."
Arriella regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. "Why are you being so kind to me?"
He shrugged. "Because you deserve kindness. And because you remind me of someone who has forgotten her own worth."
"Your ex?" she teased.
"My younger sister," he chuckled. "But yes, she can stress me out like an ex too."
Arriella shook her head, laughing softly.
Before he left, Khalid pointed to her notebook. "What's that?"
"A quote book I'm creating," she replied. "For myself."
He smiled warmly. "Write this one down," he said, tapping the cover: 'The sun always rises, even when we don't feel ready for the light.'
Arriella wrote it down slowly.
Khalid stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I'll stop by again tomorrow—if that's alright with you."
"That's alright," she said before she could think twice.
He waved goodbye and stepped outside. Arriella closed her notebook and held it close to her chest, allowing the tranquility of the day to wash over her.
This time, she had exchanged contact information with him so they could stay in touch over the phone.