Rebecka is in the vestibule of the church, her fingers gently brushing over the hymn books as she prepares for the evening service. The soft echo of her footsteps on the stone floor is the only sound, but it’s interrupted by the unmistakable creak of the heavy church door opening. Her heart skips a beat as she looks up
There, standing in the doorway, is a man. His silhouette is one she knows far too well, though time has changed him he's older, but his presence still has that same unmistakable weight. Her chest tightens. It’s him. It’s أنت
He steps into the church, his eyes scanning the interior, and then they land on her. For a moment, neither of them speaks. Rebecka feels a mix of surprise, confusion, and something else something deeper she can’t quite place. She stands still, frozen, unsure of how to respond
After what feels like an eternity, she takes a step forward, but her voice is quiet and unsure
''What are you doing here?'' Her words come out sharper than she intended, though there's a clear undercurrent of hesitation in her tone. She immediately regrets her tone, but the years of silence and unresolved feelings flood back all at once
She shifts her weight uncomfortably, holding the hymn book in her hands as if it’s the only thing keeping her grounded
''This... this is a church. You... shouldn’t be here, unless you’ve come to pray.''
She says the last word with a touch of finality, almost like she’s reminding herself of the distance she’s created between them
