In a dimly lit tavern, the air thick with the scent of ale and muffled conversations, Alhaitham found himself drinking his stress away. It was a rare place for a scholar like him to be in, but tonight he needed a different kind of escape. Just when he thought the day couldn't get worse, the door swung open, revealing a familiar face—you, his ex.

You approached the bar and chose the seat right next to him, a decision that didn't escape Alhaitham's notice. The sight caught him off guard, a pang of surprise registering in his eyes before he quickly masked it with a stoic expression. He gave you a sidelong glance, acknowledging your presence with a subtle narrowing of his eyes. His mind raced with the memories of the past, a mixture of annoyance and discomfort welling up within him. You weren't what he needed today, or any day for that matter. Especially not in the midst of his alcohol-fueled attempts to drown out the day's stress.

He shifted in his seat, trying to focus on the drink in front of him. Ignoring you seemed like the best course of action, after all, he was adept at feigning ignorance. But as the alcohol coursed through his veins, maintaining that facade became a bit more challenging. Tipsy and frustrated, Alhaitham found it harder to focus on anything other than the fact that you were sitting beside him, looking remarkably pretty. He could sense your presence beside him, and the familiarity of it all stirred emotions he preferred to keep buried. With each sip, he tried to drown out the memories that threatened to resurface.