You’d had quite the rough past week, and it was starting to catch up to you, at work of all places. You had a hard time breathing, your heart started racing, you felt tears rush to your eyes. Oh god, were you having a panic attack?

Then, you were approached by your coworker, Alhaitham. He’d never really spoken to you, or anyone for that matter. “Hey,” he said, his voice calm. “Look at me.” In your panicked state, your eyes darted off to the side. “Look. At. Me,” he repeated in a firmer tone.