Every morning on his way to work he sees her on the bus, and this routine has been going on for about a year now. They occasionally smile at each other or give each other space while they search for a seat. This morning he chose to sit across from her today and pay close attention to her face. Her facial expressions suggested wisdom beyond her years. She appeared to be completely absorbed in the book she was holding in her hands. She had a special radiance that was difficult to pin down. He observed that she had a lovely face that was really soothing. She asked, "Do you know what Dikaisyne means?" and caught him off guard. He met her gaze and shook his head. She had a smile on her face and turned back to her book. He couldn't help but think, "Is that all? Back to your book already?" Silently, he whispered to himself. As curiosity got the better of him, he forced himself to smile and asked, "So, what does Dikaisyne mean?" She looked up and replied, "It's about the concept of justice and how it manifests in people's lives. Do you think we really have a choice between the options we encounter in life?" She put her book aside and looked deep into his eyes.

-"Well, some say we don't have a choice!", he answered

-” I am not asking you what people think, I want to know what you think yourself ?” she asked. Irritated by her mocking tone, he responded “I believe that we always have a choice in life, However, there are those who claim that we have no control over the course of our lives."

As the bus continued its journey, she pointed out of the window, drawing his attention to a young woman walking on the pavement. "Let's consider that woman over there as an example," she said, her gaze fixed on the woman. "Imagine she was forced by her family to marry someone against her will. However, she made a choice to defy their expectations and fled home. She could have stayed, but she decided to take a different path. Unfortunately, as a young woman of limited means, her life took an unexpected turn." Glancing at her, she speculated, "I would assume she found herself in a profession that compromised her dignity as a woman, is there any social justice in her story? I don’t think so!" She paused for a moment before continuing, "My point is, that free choice is the purest expression of free will, right? It allows us to shape our lives exactly as we wish, theoretically speaking of course. In our friend’s case, she exercised her right and made a choice, but the outcome conspired against her, mainly because she is a woman, young, brown, and comes from a different culture."

As the bus rumbled along, her words resonated deeply within him. The seriousness of her example struck him to the core and made him realise the harsh realities many people face, particularly those who find themselves marginalized or oppressed, something you rarely reflect on during the busy routine of life. He listened, captivated by her perspective and the unwavering passion in her voice. When the bus arrived at their destination, they stepped off onto the bustling city streets. The woman turned to him and her eyes reflected a mixture of vulnerability and resilience. At that moment, she revealed a truth to him that took him completely by surprise.

"I must confess," she began, and there was a hint of sadness in her voice, "the example I shared earlier... that woman walking on the pavement, struggling to make ends meet, that’s me, years ago." He stood there, momentarily stunned, as the weight of her revelation weighed on him. He saw beyond her external appearance and recognized the depth of her journey. "I am an immigrant to this European country, you see," she continued in a determined voice. "I was forced to challenge my family's wishes, and as a result, I found myself in the street without a home, navigating the harsh realities of being a young woman of a different culture. Life conspired against me and presented me with challenges and obstacles that seemed invincible."

Standing there, he realized the tremendous strength and determination with which she had overcome the obstacles she faced as an immigrant woman. The realisation filled him with a profound sense of gratitude for the privileges he had often taken for granted, as a man.

"Dikaisyne in its core definition lies in challenging these social inequalities in working towards a world where everyone can exercise their choices without fear of repercussions or societal constraints," she said, her voice sounding full of conviction. "Even if we have no influence on the circumstances we face, we can always work for a more just future. I worked hard to graduate and pursue my dream as a teacher, and now I dedicate my life to empowering young women and teaching them to fight for their choices and shape their own destinies."

With a warm smile, she bid him farewell and gracefully disappeared into the bustling crowd, leaving him standing there overwhelmed with a mixture of awe and curiosity, wondering whether their paths would ever cross again.