Fate Needs a Hobby

Chapter 3

Nani was used to keeping his life structured, predictable. He worked hard, handled responsibilities, and avoided anything or anyone that could disrupt his carefully built routine. So when he found himself running into Sky again, and again, it was starting to feel less like a coincidence and more like an annoying twist of fate.

It started with small things again and over again.

One afternoon, after a long board meeting, Nani decided to stop by his usual café. It was a quiet place, tucked away from the busy streets, and the staff already knew his order without him having to say a word. But the moment he walked in, he spotted a familiar figure sitting by the window, absentmindedly stirring his drink.

Sky.

Nani considered turning around and leaving, but before he could, Sky looked up and grinned.

"Nani! Fancy seeing you here." Nani sighed, forcing a polite smile as he turned to fully face Sky.

"Sky. Me too. Took the day off?" he asked, noticing that for once, Sky wasn't in the middle of a delivery.

"My dad gave me a break since exams are coming up," Sky replied, still smiling.

Right. Nani had almost forgotten. Sky had skipped two years before starting his business course at university.

Without fully realizing it, Nani ended up sitting across from him. What was meant to be a quick coffee break turned into a conversation that stretched longer than he intended. Sky talked about small, unimportant things,  his father's food business, a stray cat he had been feeding near his apartment, a random funny customer he met during a delivery. It wasn't anything special, but somehow, Nani found himself listening. Actually listening.

And it didn't stop there.

They kept running into each other. At another company event where Sky's father's restaurant had been hired for catering. At a bookstore where Sky was wandering aimlessly. Even at a late-night convenience store, where they both reached for the last bottle of iced coffee at the same time.

Each time, Nani told himself it was just coincidence. Nothing more.

But one thing was certain. Sky's presence didn't bother him as much as it used to.

Maybe that should've been his first warning.  Still, Nani didn't think too much of it.

So what if they ran into each other often? It wasn't like they were close. Sky was just someone who happened to be around. That was all.

But then, one evening, Nani found himself at a small street market, waiting for his driver to pick him up after a meeting. He wasn't paying much attention to his surroundings—until he heard a familiar voice.

"Ah, you again?"

Nani turned to see Sky standing there, holding a plastic bag filled with snacks. His hair was slightly messy, his usual easy-going smile on his face.

"Looks like I'm being followed," Nani said dryly, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Sky laughed. "Right. Because I totally planned to run into you at this exact spot."

Nani rolled his eyes but didn't walk away.

Sky opened his bag and pulled out a skewer of grilled pork. "You eat yet?" he asked, holding it out. Nani stared at the offering, then at Sky. "You just... carry extra food around?"

"Nah. I bought too much." Sky shrugged. "Take it or don't, up to you."

Nani hesitated for a second before finally taking it. "Thanks," he muttered.

"See? You're not as scary as people say," Sky teased. Nani raised an eyebrow. "Who says I'm scary?"

Sky smirked. "People." Nani scoffed but didn't argue. Instead, he took a bite of the grilled pork, the smoky flavor spreading across his tongue. It was good. He wouldn't admit it, but this was probably the first real meal he'd had all day.

They stood there, eating in comfortable silence as the night breeze passed through the market.

And for some reason, Nani didn't feel the urge to leave right away.

Maybe that should've been his second warning.