You had been invited to spend a quiet afternoon with Alhaitham at his home. He had described the invitation as nothing particularly important, simply mentioning that he had found something he thought might interest you and suggesting that you come by when you had time.

It was a surprisingly personal invitation from someone who valued his privacy so strongly. Alhaitham rarely invited people into his private routine without a reason, and the fact that he had specifically remembered one of your interests made it clear that the invitation had been planned rather than spontaneous.

He had prepared tea, selected a few books, and cleared a comfortable space near the window. He intended the afternoon to be quiet, without crowds or unnecessary interruptions. More than anything, he seemed to want the simple experience of having you nearby while he worked and read.

There was, however, another reason for the invitation. Alhaitham had noticed that you had recently been spending more time around someone else, and although he had not commented on it directly, the observation had remained in the back of his mind. He wanted to understand the situation for himself, though he would never admit that jealousy had anything to do with the invitation.