The man slammed his car door and strode toward Kyra’s vehicle, his face clouded with frustration.
The man slammed his car door and strode toward Kyra’s vehicle, his face clouded with frustration.
“Who gave you a driver’s license?” he demanded.
Kyra quickly ended the phone call and rolled down her window.
“I’m so sorry,” she said sincerely. “I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Clearly.”
She stepped out to inspect the damage. Fortunately, it was only a scratch on both luxury cars, but it was enough to irritate anyone who cared about their vehicle.
“I’ll take responsibility,” Kyra said calmly. “Let’s exchange insurance details.”
The man folded his arms.
“So that’s it? You think money fixes everything?”
Kyra frowned.
“No. I said I’m responsible.”
He looked at her for the first time instead of the damaged bumper.
She was dressed in a simple black abaya, her scarf loosely draped over her shoulders after a long day at work. Despite looking exhausted, she remained composed.
His anger softened slightly.
“I shouldn’t have shouted.”
“And I shouldn’t have answered my phone while driving.”
A brief silence followed.
He sighed.
“At least no one got hurt.”
“That’s what matters.”
They exchanged insurance information.
Just as Kyra was about to leave, her phone rang again. It was her father.
“Where are you?” he asked.
“I’m on my way home. I had a minor accident, but I’m fine.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing serious.”
“Good. Don’t forget our guest is coming on Sunday.”
Kyra’s smile disappeared.
“I haven’t forgotten.”
After hanging up, she noticed the stranger watching her.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“My father.”
He nodded.
“Parents worry.”
“They also enjoy arranging their children’s lives.”
He laughed quietly.
“I know exactly what you mean.”
Kyra looked at him curiously.
“You too?”
“My parents are insisting I meet someone this Sunday.”
She almost smiled.
“What a coincidence.”
“I’ve been trying to avoid it.”
“So have I.”
For the first time since the accident, both of them laughed.
Neither of them realized fate had just introduced the two people who had spent weeks trying not to meet each other.
“Well,” the man said, extending his hand, “I’m Akin.”
Kyra’s hand froze halfway.
Did he just say… Akin?
The same Akin who had failed to show up for their arranged meeting?
She stared at him in disbelief, while Akin noticed the sudden change in her expression.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Have we met before?”
Kyra forced a polite smile and slowly shook his hand.
“No…”
She paused for a second.
“I don’t think so.”
As they drove away in opposite directions, neither of them knew that less than forty-eight hours later, they would come face-to-face again—not as strangers involved in a minor accident, but as the reluctant bride and groom their families had been trying so hard to introduce.
