I Made a Mistake and Accidentally Discovered My Destiny

Ive had poor eyesight since I was a child, so glasses have always been a part of my life. As I got older, I switched to contact lenses, but there were occasions when Id pop out for a walk with my dog or rush off to the corner shop, forgetting both my glasses and my contacts. Thats exactly what happened on that fateful evening. In a hurry to pick up some things, I dashed out of my flat, sprinted down from the fifth floor (no lift in the building), and only then did I realise Id left my glasses behind. I couldnt be bothered to go back up, so I just carried on without them.

I found myself loitering by the shelf with tinned fish, pestering the shop assistant with endless questions about which was the mackerel in tomato sauce and which was in oil. The assistant was soon called away to help another customer, so I turned to a woman standing nearby. I took in her silhouette for a moment there was something that rang a bell. She wore her hair up in a peculiar, messy bun that looked a bit like horns, a big bright red scarf, and a long black coat.

Could you tell me which one is the mackerel in tomato sauce? I asked.

Wed been in the same year at school, but different classes. I remembered her well, as she had a distinctive style and the teachers always gave her grief about her painted nails.

That ones the mackerel youre after, she replied, a little formally. Anything else?

Sorry, I left my glasses at home and I cant really see a thing, I admitted.

We ended up walking round the shop together, chatting about our old teachers, and she laughed at a few of my stories. After wed paid, I suggested we grab some fresh air in the crisp autumn evening, or perhaps have a cup of tea or coffee and carry on talking. She told me she worked at a veterinary clinic I was surprised shed gone into that line of work. We swapped numbers and floated the idea of meeting up again.

Back at home, with my glasses finally on, I read a text shed sent five minutes after we parted.

Sorry for fibbing. Im not actually your classmate I was in Class A at a different school. But if you dont mind, we could grab a coffee sometime. My treat.

Of course, I didnt say no. We went out again, and I couldnt keep my eyes off her she was even lovelier than I remembered. Soon enough, we began dating, and we’re still seeing each other now. She teases me sometimes, joking about whether my eyesights really that terrible or if it was all a ploy to chat her up, but I know shes kidding. It all feels like a strange twist of fate.

This experience taught me that sometimes, forgetting your glasses and asking for a little help can lead you somewhere unexpectedly wonderful. Sometimes, you just have to trust where luck takes you.