How Love Happens - Chapter 3

 

When Haifa finally returned from Aish’s house, it was past six. She had tried on all the tops and decided none of them were suitable. Later, she joined Aish and her family for evening tea, and they all expressed their sadness when she shared the news. All the while, Aish kept sending her meaningful glances.

As Haifa entered her home, her mother was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Her mother glanced at her, and her previous mood changed. "Ifa, go change and come help me cook," she said warmly. "How’s Aish and her family?"

Haifa replaced the scooter keys on their hook. "They are well," she replied and walked into her room. From inside, she called out, "I'm coming, but I’m going out for dinner."

Haifa waited for her mother to object. Her mother knew that whenever she said she was going out to dinner, it meant she was going with Aseel. If not, she would always say she was going out with the girls or who she was going with.

When Nasreena didn’t comment, Haifa quickly changed into a T-shirt and leggings and joined her mother to help. The mother and daughter worked together effortlessly, comfortable with each other's tasks and sharing chitchats. Haifa kept an eye on the time as she wanted to finish early to look her best for Aseel.

Once they were done, she hurriedly took a shower and carefully selected an outfit. She opted for an emerald green midi dress with irregular pleats, paired with white jeans and a peach-colored diamond-beaded bubble chiffon shawl. Then, she took her time doing her makeup to perfection.

Haifa left her apartment fifteen minutes before nine, her steps quick and her heart racing. She was wearing her favorite 3-inch leather brown satin pumps, which matched her leather handbag. The anticipation of seeing Aseel had her practically skipping down the hallway.

Even though she wished she could see Aseel every day, they usually met up a few times a week. It used to be different before they broke up. Aseel would come over to her place, but now her mamma was not too happy with him, so she had to keep him away from home.

As she stepped out of the building, she glanced at her phone – five more minutes to go. Excitement mixed with a bit of nervousness coursed through her veins. But amid all the excitement, her mind drifted back to the plan she'd cooked up with Aish. The idea of causing trouble within her family made her feel uneasy, yet the thought of moving to Vavathi at this point in her life was equally unsettling.

Haifa found herself torn between wanting to make things right at home and the fear of losing the life she'd built in the city. The clock kept ticking, and her mind kept racing with doubts and questions. Was her plan even a good idea? Could she really pull it off?

With her eyes closed, Haifa took a deep breath and let her thoughts settle. As much as the plan with Aish seemed like a way out, she couldn't shake off the feeling that it was wrong. Deceiving her mother and causing family drama just didn't sit right with her.

As she opened her eyes clarity washed over her. She couldn't go through with this plan. Her mother's love for the island and the family was too strong to manipulate. Instead, Haifa realized that she needed to communicate openly with her mother, help bridge the gap, and find a solution together.

The idea of marriage with Aseel danced in her mind. But she couldn't ignore the fact that Aseel hadn't mentioned marriage himself. Their commitment was still relatively fresh, and she didn't want to push him into something he might not be ready for. Yet, the desire to marry him, to spend her life with him, was a steadfast feeling deep within her heart. It was that connection that had given her the strength to stand up against her mother's wishes, even though it was something she'd never imagine doing otherwise.

With a smile, Haifa decided that she would have an open conversation with her mother in the morning and share her perspective. She believed they could find a way to resolve their differences and make a decision that was best for everyone. And as for Aseel, well, she hoped that their love would continue to grow and perhaps, someday, lead them down the path of marriage.

Checking the time once more, Haifa realized that twenty minutes had passed since she had arrived at their meeting spot, but there was still no sign of Aseel. The usually bustling street appeared oddly quiet in the night, with only a few vehicles passing by compared to the daytime traffic. The buildings along the street showcased a mismatched collection of faded paint and worn-out balconies, illuminated by the sporadic glow of streetlights. The only touch of green was the occasional roadside tree, standing every ten feet or so.

Feeling a touch of impatience, Haifa shifted her weight from one foot to another. She fought against negative thoughts and decided to give Aseel a bit more time before reaching for her phone to dial his number. Just as she was about to do so, her eyes lifted to the corner of the road, and there he was—Aseel. Her heart skipped a beat, and her face lit up with joy.

Aseel was like a dream come true for Haifa. He possessed a tall and muscular build, not the bodybuilder type, but exuding strength. His long, curly hair cascaded past his shoulders, framing his beautifully sculpted face in a way that made her heart skip a beat. His eyes, a captivating shade of golden brown, held a mesmerizing quality that could easily drown her in their depths.

Once an avid basketball player since his school days, Aseel's journey took a detour due to a reckless accident that left him with a knee injury. Although it prevented him from pursuing a professional basketball career, he continued to play the sport three days a week with his friends, alongside his religious commitment to working out every day.

Tonight, he wore one of his signature flannel shirts, this one featuring a mix of red and black shades that complemented his deep blue jeans. As he effortlessly maneuvered his 80’s Suzuki along the street toward her, He pulled off the popular “local bad boy GN” look flawlessly, Haifa almost found herself fanning herself to cool her fluttering emotions.

Aseel hailed from a well-off background, his family being owners of multiple chains of hardware shops across the country. With the privilege of his family's wealth, he navigated life with a carefree attitude, never really having to worry about earning a living on his own. Given that his family was more than willing to provide him with whatever he desired, Aseel's life seemed like a series of indulgences.

Despite being twenty-five, he had made a few half-hearted attempts at finding a job, but nothing managed to capture his sustained interest. Although his parents encouraged him to join the family business, he resisted, preferring to devote his time to video games and outings with his buddies.

"Hey beautiful," he greeted her with a charming smile, his lips revealing a set of perfect white teeth, as he parked the bike beside her.

"Hey you," Haifa replied, her heart doing somersaults in her chest. She rested her hand on his shoulder and smoothly swung her leg to join him behind the bike. Slipping her hand around his waist, she cozied up to him, relishing the scent of his luxurious musky cologne that enveloped her senses.

In less than fifteen minutes, they reached the restaurant. The ride felt too brief, Haifa mused as she dismounted. The restaurant, called Silver Water, was conveniently located by the ocean, offering its patrons breathtaking vistas of the beach and the expansive sky. The establishment exuded a cozy ambiance, accompanied by the enticing aroma of freshly prepared dishes. The seating area, adorned with tables that overlooked the ocean, invited guests to enjoy their meals while taking in the serene view.

Haifa waited as Aseel parked the motorbike and led the way to the restaurant entrance. Silently, she fell into step beside him, her hand slipping through his arm. As they settled into their seats, she pondered how to initiate the conversation without sounding possessive or controlling.

"So, how's everything been? You've been pretty quiet over the past couple of days," Haifa ventured, immediately regretting the words as they left her lips. She didn't want to come across as overly concerned or prying.

Aseel casually brushed a loose curl behind his ear, his gaze momentarily drifting. "La Liga started, and the guys came over to watch," he explained, his attention elsewhere. Ah, the football season – Haifa sighed internally. Aseel was a die-hard Barcelona fan, and when it came to men and their sports, she knew it was a territory of its own.

Once the waiter had taken their orders, Haifa took a deep breath and decided to broach the subject. "There's something I need to talk to you about," she began, her voice slightly shaky. "My mom has made a decision. She wants to move back to Vavathi, and she expects me to go with her."

Aseel frowned, leaning in closer to her. "When will you be back?" he asked, seeming puzzled.

Haifa's heart sank further, realizing he hadn't fully grasped the gravity of the situation. "No, Aseel, I mean to move back permanently and start a new life there," she clarified, her voice tinged with sadness. She quickly recounted the conversation she had with her mother earlier in the day, explaining the details to him. As she spoke, her emotions swirled, and tears threatened to well up in her eyes. The thought of being away from him was unbearable.

Aseel burst into laughter, and Haifa blinked at him in disbelief. His response caught her off guard "Why are you laughing? This is serious," she said, her heart sinking even further. She couldn't understand why he found this situation amusing, especially when she was so clearly upset.

Aseel wiped a tear from his eye as his laughter subsided. "I'm sorry, Ifa. It's just... I can't picture you living the island life," he said, his tone mocking. "Will you be wearing flowy dresses and cooking fish all day? Don't forget to pack a portable generator and candles!"

This wasn't the reaction she had hoped for. She needed his understanding and support, not jokes about island living. "Aseel, it's not funny," she said. "It's not as uncivilized as you think," she retorted, her tone defensive. She couldn't believe it. Was she actually defending Vavathi? The place she had been dreading moving to.

Aseel's mocking tone didn't help the situation. "Oh, sure. Do they even have cable? Internet??” he sneered “You won't last a day,"

Haifa's heart sank even further. She looked at him with a mixture of sadness and disbelief. "You're not even a little sad that I'll be gone?" she asked, her voice tinged with hurt. "I've been trying to convince my mom, but she's being very firm."

“What's the big deal? Just let her go and find an apartment here," he shrugged as if it were the simplest solution. Aseel's nonchalant response hit her like a punch.

Haifa couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her frustration with his lack of empathy boiled over. "Aseel, this is a big deal for me. It's not just about an apartment. It's about my family, my life here, and... and us," she said, her voice breaking slightly. "I can't just abandon them. And I thought you would understand that."

She looked at him, her eyes pleading for him to grasp the gravity of the situation and offer some sort of support. But what she saw in his eyes was indifference, and it hurt more than she had anticipated.

She clasped her hands together, trying to inject a note of optimism into the conversation. "Maybe if we talked to Mamma and told her we want to get married or something," she suggested, her tone attempting to lighten the mood.

Aseel's face hardened, and his words hit her like a blow. "Ifa, I've told you before, I need time to think about it. Constantly talking about it won't help," he said, his fingers idly playing with a leather bracelet on his wrist. "I don't want to be married yet. I don't want to be tied down."

Haifa nodded quickly, her heart sinking further. How could she forget? There were certain topics with Aseel that were off-limits, and anything related to their future seemed to be at the top of that list. She had to abide by his rules, even when she was struggling with her own emotions. It was always about his needs and preferences. The frustration she felt with him often left her feeling like she was walking on eggshells, fearful of triggering him in any way.

The rest of the meal passed in a heavy silence, each lost in their own thoughts. After a while, Haifa attempted to break the tension. "Will you at least come visit once we get settled?" she asked, her voice carrying a glimmer of hope.

"Sure," came Aseel's curt reply.

Changing the subject, she tried to inject some lightness into the conversation. "I went to Crossroads yesterday. Have you seen the reel I uploaded? I haven't finished editing the others yet," she said, showing him the videos on her phone, hoping to divert his attention and improve the atmosphere.

"Hmm," he replied, his expression bored as he watched the video.

"Do you like it?" Haifa asked with uncertainty.

"It's fine," Aseel responded in the same detached tone.

His moody demeanor persisted as he dropped her off at her building. She waved goodbye, feeling a knot of sadness forming in her chest as he drove away hastily. Haifa took a deep breath, trying to hold back her tears. Hugging herself for comfort, she made her way back to her apartment. Thoughts of Aseel filled her mind, and self-doubt began to seep in. Maybe she had been pushing him too much, maybe she was too controlling. Her self-esteem started to waver as she grappled with her emotions.

"Ifa dharifulha, come here, I have news," her mother called out as she entered.

Nasreena was sitting on the sofa with Jalal, the TV playing in the background while she held her phone in one hand. Her face was beaming with excitement. "Your aunt Naseema just called. She found a job for you in Vavathi. It might not be anything extravagant, but it's a decent administrative position at the school. Isn't that great news?" she asked, her joy evident.

"And Jalal mentioned that he can help you get photography gigs at various weddings, so you can continue pursuing your hobby," Nasreena added with a smile.

Haifa looked at her mother, her throat tightening and her eyes welling up with tears once again. "Yes, Mamma," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned away quickly, feeling overwhelmed by the news. "I'm going to change and go to bed."

"All right, dharifulha, get some rest. We'll start packing from tomorrow," Nasreena said, her attention shifting back to the TV program.

Haifa stumbled into her room, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She began to remove her head cover and wipe off her makeup absentmindedly. Her thoughts were racing, her mother's words echoing in her mind. How could her career be dismissed as just a hobby? Sure, she hadn't landed any professional jobs yet, but photography was her passion, her dream for the past decade. It was more than just a hobby to her.

Frustration and anger simmered within her. Her mother seemed to have no understanding of her desires, her aspirations, or the importance of her dreams. It felt as if her mother was making decisions without considering her feelings at all. The fact that her mother was planning this move and upending her life without any regard for Haifa's wishes infuriated her.

She changed into her sleepwear, a simple t-shirt and bottoms, her anger still burning strong. She had hoped to have a rational conversation with her mother about her own life, and her own choices. But it seemed like her mother had already made up her mind and was pushing forward with her plans, disregarding Haifa's opinions and feelings as if they didn't matter at all. It was as if her mother had been the one to decide to bring Haifa to Male', and now she was the one deciding to uproot her from it, leaving Haifa feeling powerless and ignored.

As Haifa brushed her teeth, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. A fire burned in her eyes, determination replacing the frustration that had consumed her earlier. She realized that she couldn't let her mother's decisions dictate the course of her life. She had worked tirelessly for her dreams, and she wasn't about to let them slip away because of someone else's choices.

As the toothbrush tapped against the side of the sink, she knew she had to use the plan. It was a drastic plan, a painful plan, but it was the only one she felt she had left. She knew what she had to do - break apart a family.

It was a heavy decision to make, and Haifa knew the toll it would take on her emotions. But she was prepared to fight for the life she had envisioned, even if it meant challenging her mother's choices and risking everything she held dear.

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Have a wonderful day!