Chapter 18: Navigating Uncertainty

James was driving, heading towards the university, while Sophie sat silently in the seat beside him.

She couldn't believe she was really going to find Gabriel. As she left, the thought of seeing him loomed ahead—though whether they would truly meet remained uncertain.

Sophie's thoughts swirled as she gazed out of the car window.

"If James hadn't been there" she pondered, "maybe I wouldn't even consider seeking out Gabriel. Perhaps I'd remain lost in the memories, perpetually weeping."

The passing landscape blurred, and Sophie's heart carried the weight of what-ifs and maybes. The road ahead held both uncertainty and possibility, much like her emotions.

Sophie's voice cut through the quiet of the car. "James," she began, her words hesitant, "what if we're heading in the misguided direction? What if we never find Gabriel?"

"What do you mean? I'm not quite getting it." James said while adjusting the steering wheel. James: "But whatever hints we have, at least we can try to use."

Sophie: "What if he's been deceiving me all along? Maybe his name isn't even Gabriel, and he's not really a professor."

Sophie remained silent, her gaze fixed on the passing landscape beyond the car window.

"Sophie," James spoke gently, his eyes on the road ahead.

"Unless you meet Gabriel and have that conversation, peace will elude you. Perhaps our search holds more than answers—it might offer solace."

Sophie nodded and affirmed their shared purpose.

They remained silent for a while.

Abruptly, she inquired, "Why did you cancel your plans to meet the professor yesterday?"

James's voice carried an obvious tone as he asserted, "I told you that I was busy with a client."

Sophie stayed quiet for a moment and then said, "I thought you hadn't come because Mom was home."

"I mean, you had a plan to come, but when you found out Mom was at home, you canceled it." Her voice still carried a hint of doubt, even after James's clarification.

James, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses, remained inscrutable. Without a hint of reaction, he simply stated, "I was really busy with the client." His voice carried an unwavering firmness.

Sophie raised an eyebrow in response. She retorted, "I didn't find anything strange. Actually, Brenda was the one who thought it was odd."

Without a hint of reaction, he simply stated, "She probably doesn't like me anyway. She keeps staring at me half the time."

"James is telling the truth," Sophie mused silently.

"This girl is such that she will doubt every small thing. What's the use of clarifying now? Better to keep quiet."

A faint smile played on her lips as she entertained these thoughts.

Sophie, in an attempt to defend Brenda, asserted, "It's not that she doesn't like you; she's just a little suspicious whenever someone new comes into my life."

As she spoke, Sophie glanced at James, curious to gauge his reaction.

James remained stoic, his expression unchanged. He replied, "Brenda was doing the right thing. You shouldn't suddenly trust someone you don't know."

Before she could voice anything… James interjected.

James: "We're reaching the university in 10 minutes. How do you feel?"

The conversation hung in the air, interrupted by James's words. Sophie's heartbeat quickened, anticipation and nervousness intertwining as they approached their destination.

"If Gabriel were to appear in front of me,"' Sophie wondered, "how would I face him? What would I say?"

The mere thought of it made her heart race. 'What if I start crying as soon as I see him?' The swirl of emotions left Sophie feeling anxious and uncertain.

Sophie's uneasiness was etched across her face. James, attuned to her emotions, gently removed one hand from the steering wheel and placed it on Sophie's arm.

His touch was a silent reassurance, offering comfort in the midst of uncertainty.

"We don't even have his full name" James curiosity lacing his voice.

"How will we recognize him?"

Sophie's quiet contemplation gave way to a thoughtful suggestion.

She leaned in and whispered, "If there's a professor named Gabriel, engage him in conversation for a few minutes. I'll recognize him by his voice."

James: "Are you sure?"

Sophie: "Of course." She took a deep breath and continued, "In the last 4 years, I was attached to only one voice. If I have anything from Gabriel, it is his voice."

Gradually, her voice trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Even today," she whispered, "I hear that voice at night while sleeping. How can I not recognize it?"

James remained silent, the weight of Sophie's pain palpable in the air. The road stretched ahead… What could he say? Sometimes, silence spoke louder than words.

"How do I look? Am I okay?" Sophie said as she turned to James, her eyes still moist from tears.

"You look beautiful as always," James replied. "Why the sudden concern?" His words held a mix of curiosity and warmth.

She smiled softly and said, "I am going to meet Gabriel! It was always in my mind that whenever I meet him for the first time, I should look the most beautiful."

"Your mood changes in 2 minutes," he teased.

"A little while ago, you were crying, and now you're worried about your looks."

His gentle touch on her cheek sent warmth through her veins, a silent reassurance amidst the whirlwind of emotions.

The car glided through the open gates, entering the university campus.

A touch of numbness enveloped her. It was as if her heart held its breath, suspended between memories and the present.

James approached the campus security guard and inquired, "How far away is the Department of Philosophy?"

After parking the car, they realized they would need to walk within the campus for "10 minutes".

The campus blends modern and classic architecture, resulting in an inspiring atmosphere.

Thick clusters of leaves are scattered throughout, infusing the air with a refreshing and calming vibe.

Along the path, tall, slender palm trees sway gently in the breeze, gracing both sides.

Sophie moved through the campus, but its beauty eluded her. Those 10 minutes stretched like an eternity, each step amplifying her heartbeat.

Amidst it all, James's presence alone provided a semblance of comfort.

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