Chance Brew

“So, where are you guys from?” Luca inquired as we settled into a cosy corner at the small table.

“Born in America, grew up in France, studied in Germany, now living in this beautiful country of Romania hoping to come across perhaps Lord Transylvania or a handsome vampire,” Zoe shared dreamily, earning a chuckle from us. As I took a sip of my coffee, Luca’s curiosity turned to me.

“Born grew up, and studied in Bangladesh,” I replied with a smile, noticing a flicker of puzzlement in Luca’s expression—a reaction I completely understood.

“No offence, but where is that?” Luca asked sheepishly, his expression tinged with a slight embarrassment.

“None taken,” I reassured him. “It’s in Asia, right beside India.”

“Ah, I didn’t know, sorry,” Luca responded apologetically.

“Don’t worry, it’s a small country and not often in the spotlight. I totally get it,” I reassured him.

“Yeah, I came to know about Bangladesh when my flight to Japan had a layover there a few years ago,” Zoe chimed in between bites as if she had been famished for weeks. One thing I came to know about Zoe very early is that she loves to travel. And By far she has covered almost every county you can think of.

“What brings you here? So far away from your country?” Luca’s question drew my attention, and I met his curious gaze.

“I was planning on joining a publishing house after toiling away in a dull corporate office, but it turned out I didn’t know as much about literature as I thought. Also, I wanted a change of scenery, some travel, you know? I searched for a place to study and stumbled upon Bucharest—loved everything about it,” I explained.

“Is it safe to assume you graduated quite a few years ago?” Luca posed the question cautiously, trying not to make it awkward.

“Are you trying to guess my age?” I quirked an eyebrow, watching a flush creep up Luca’s cheeks, which only made me laugh. “Yes, I finished my bachelor’s and master’s in business administration a few years ago.”

“Wait! So, this is your second master’s?” Zoe chimed in, seeking clarification. I nodded in affirmation. “That makes you older than both of us!”

“What makes you think I might be your age?” Luca retorted, and Zoe rolled her eyes in response.

“Oh, please, anyone with good eyesight would guess you’re barely 23,” she teased.

“You’re both super young,” I clicked my tongue in amusement.

“You’re one to talk. You barely look 22. When did you graduate? At 18?” Zoe exclaimed, prompting a chuckle from me. The truth was, I’ve always looked younger than my age. When I started university, I resembled a high schooler, and now, despite the passing years, I still looked freshly graduated. It was doubtful anyone could accurately guess that I’d be approaching twenty-seven in a few months.

As we spoke, I got to know quite a bit about both of them. Zoe’s parents were rich by the looks of it and she was not shy about admitting it. And Luca was a local, his background still a mystery, but I know he indeed is pursuing his masters in applied physics. In a million years, I would have never guessed his major.

As we prepared to leave for our next class, I held onto my coffee, navigating through the bustling café alongside Luca and Zoe. Suddenly, in a whirlwind of movement, the remainder of my coffee went airborne, showering Luca with a cascade of caffeine.

“Son of a—” Luca’s reaction was lightning-fast, his exclamation cut short by the unexpected downpour. His expression shifted from astonishment to a resigned shrug, a mix of amusement and annoyance dancing in his eyes.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” I blurted out, my heart racing with embarrassment. “Are you okay?”

“My apologies.” The voice came from the person who’d collided with me, and I looked up, almost disbelieving. It was none other than Professor Izan. Our eyes met, and in that suspended moment, the bustling café noise seemed to dim, leaving only our locked gaze.

Despite his apology, there was a glint in Izan’s eyes that hinted at more than just regret. A faint smile played on his lips, an air of mystery that captivated me.

“You might want to take this to the restroom,” Izan suggested calmly, offering a subtle gesture.

Luca’s eyebrows shot up, and he chuckled, “Yeah, might as well get a coffee shower there too, huh?”

“It was instant karma if you ask me.” Zoe laughed aloud earning a glare from Luca.

The corner of Izan’s mouth twitched into a half-smile, his eyes glinting with a playful spark. “I will pass, but for you, it just might be a great idea.”

“Sorry about that,” Izan apologized, shifting his focus to me as Luca dashed off to the washroom. “Let me get you another coffee.”

I was momentarily taken aback, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. “Oh, no, it’s okay, really. I can get it myself,” I replied, trying to maintain composure despite the flurry of emotions swirling within me.

“Nonsense. Consider it my penance for inadvertently causing this caffeine flood,” Izan insisted, a hint of something unfathomable glimmering in the depths of those beautiful hazels, leaving me intrigued yet puzzled. “Come with me, I will make sure it’s a spill-free affair this time.”

His offer to replace my coffee felt like an unspoken invitation, his gaze a gravitational pull reeling me closer. I was left speechless as if entangled in an invisible thread weaved between us. Without uttering a single word, I trailed after him, lured by an intangible curiosity. While I followed Izan, Zoe was left standing there in the middle of the café dumb-founded and confused as to whom to follow.

Professor Dejanovic handed me a cup of coffee and offered a charming smile. “Have a good day Ms. Hanan.”

“You too professor.” With an acknowledgement nod, he walked away. I glanced at the cup of coffee in my hand and his retreating figure. I have an unsettling feeling about all of this, my life was about to take a turn, for better or worse only time would be able to tell.