'Pilot episode: part 1' -- That morning - Jack
As cliché as it may sound, this is the story of how this peculiar group of people met and how one ordinary meeting became something much more...
HER - The physics master's student - Emunah 'Em'
HIM - The physics master's student - Tobias 'Tobi'
HIM - The E.R. doctor - Josiah 'Jo'
HER - The singer - Hana 'Hannah'
HIM - The surgeon - Eliyanah 'Elia'
HER - The engineer - Yoon-hee - Ahathalia 'Talia'
HIM - The professor - Jack, just Jack
'Buzz, buzz......' her phone, laying on the table, lit up - flashing the reminder she had set earlier: 'Bible study, today at 7.' As she leaned forward to pick it up, a voice came from behind.
"Here is your cappuccino," the waitress chimed just as the cup reached the table, gently startling Emunah. The heat emanating from it sent a subtle jolt up her fingers. "Thank you," she blurted abruptly before the waitress could give Tobias his drink.
Earlier that day, a few blocks away
Just like every other morning, Jack stood engrossed in front of the massive university doors, the pleasant smile he was known for plastered over his face. As usual, students walked past him, wondering if he was an architecture professor - perhaps he really liked doors, or maybe just good stone masonry.
Those who knew him, out of formality or perhaps mutual respect, gave him a colloquial greeting. "Morning professor," the students said, while his colleagues approached it more casually. Simple as it was, Jack dreaded those moments.
His mind would race fanatically, trying to find the most appropriate response, that would not be too formal, too weird, too much. What should have been an automatic reply, a natural reflex, was always the product of overthinking for him.
"Morning, student." Too vague, his brain clarified
"Morning." Too short, his brain explained
"Ignore them." Just bad, he rationalized
"Good day." Too early for that, his brain reasoned
"Morning pal, friend, buddy." Too informal but perhaps adequate, he thought - yet it didn't feel right.
"Hey... [insert name of colleague]." Too friendly for colleagues he was barely acquainted with, he feared.
In the end, he would settle on the easiest thing his brain could uneasily agree with. "Hello."
Then the moment came. After what felt like an eternity, but really was just a few minutes, he took a deep breath in, let out a subtle sigh, then he finally walked through those massive doors. Just like that, his day had begun.
Once inside, his gaze was overwhelmed by the view of the crowded atrium - students and professors alike rushing around in such a frantic manner. As part of his routine, he immediately prepared a course for the office - the singular place he could find solace in the university, a quiet, peaceful abode for him to retreat.
Optimistically hoping he could avoid any more of those distressing morning colloquial pleasantries, He hurried along his way - almost as though he were preparing for a race-walking competition. His gaze perpetually searched for the easiest and safest route through the maze of people.
Somehow, he managed to reach his destination without too many hitches, albeit with a slight meeting incurred. Nevertheless, there he was - finally - his little place of calm. Though rather small, Jack loved his office. It was cozy and just right.
As a somewhat minimalist - or perhaps more correctly, lacking in designing capabilities - his little abode was rather plain. But those four white walls brought him a sort of focus when he needed to rationalise his rushing thoughts.
The previous occupant of the office had done relatively little damage, and Jack was free to proceed as he desired. He moved his desk to face the door so he could turn around and gaze out the window whenever he wanted an escape.
As He sat in his office, he heard a sound.
Knock, knock.
Jack sat frozen, perturbed by the noise he had just heard. He was unsure how to proceed, yet painfully, his brain had already rationalised the unavoidability of the situation.
Thus, after a brief sigh and the reassuring bible verse, "Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 BSB)
Jack embraced the unavoidable, knowing he was not alone.
