Nothing

"Who's this?"

I pondered upon his question for a few seconds. 

I saw an article about a Palestinian gynaecologist who works in Israel, whose name is very similar to his. I thought, why not? why not? he's a human being after all, he was a great friend and for me he will never lose the title. This article is great, it might give him a little bit of a motivation.

I captured and sent him the snap of the article with an added message "This is random but I have never seen/heard anyone with a name like yours. His is close!"

He replied with the above question. I wasn't sure what exactly I was feeling at the moment, or maybe I felt nothing. I assumed he has deleted my number from his phone, or has deleted me out entirely out of his memory.

It took me awhile to feel guilty -  hoped I didn't disrupt his balance. I prayed hard that Allah let him feel at ease, not any more bitter. I texted him with nothing but a good intention. I sensed the awkwardness and his reluctance to reply promptly or to continue the conversation any further. 

"Glad to hear from you again. Sorry for the randomness." It ended like nothing great had happened in the past, as if we're just two strangers met by mistake while waiting for the bus. Only slightly later I feel a pinch (just a pinch) of sadness that nothing is the end of us. Thus, the production of this writing.