How Love Happens - Chapter 27

 

"You know, it would be okay if you stayed home and rested. I'm sure Haseena would understand," her mother suggested as they made their way out.

Haifa sneezed and wiped her runny nose with her handkerchief. "No, it's fine. I want to go," she lied. Her head was pounding, and her throat hurt with every swallow. Served her right for letting herself indulge in the moment; she was absolutely sure the cold was the punishment for her moment of weakness.

After coming home following Zishan's impromptu confession, she had developed one of the worst colds she had ever experienced. Upon changing her clothes, she had let her hair air dry, and the sneezing had begun, followed by a sore throat. The coughing started that night, and by Sunday, her illness showed no sign of toning down.

"Are you worried you might be contagious?" Saira quipped with a teasing tone, deliberately stretching out the word "contagious."

Haifa shot her a look. "If I were contagious, you'd be sick by now," she replied, with annoyance. "It's just my sinuses acting up." She had never been the type of person to patiently endure sickness alone. Rather, she tended to become annoyed and crabby whenever she fell ill. Now, Saira's presence was beginning to grate on her nerves.

Saira muffled her laugh. "Tell me again how you got caught in the rain," she asked quietly, glancing around to make sure Haifa's mother didn't overhear.

"Will you please stop?" Haifa pleaded, growing increasingly exasperated.

Haifa had shared the details of the incident with Saira, carefully leaving out the Holhuashi conversation. Despite her efforts, Saira seemed to have drawn her own conclusions. Haifa had tolerated the teasing, knowing that if she denied anything, Saira would immediately sense she was hiding something. Fortunately, Haifa's illness provided a convenient excuse, allowing her to escape to her room and rest, avoiding further interrogation.

“I thought we could buy some fruits on the way to her place?” Haifa's mother was deeply engrossed in her conversation with Rugiyya. When Haifa had mentioned visiting Razi's mother to her mom, she had witnessed shock and concern on her face. As it turned out, her mom and Haseena were long-time friends, and she had no idea Haseena was unwell. Her mom had already visited her twice and decided to go again, this time with Haifa and the others.

Haifa was relieved that she did not have to ask Zishan to take her. The prospect of seeing him again made her uneasy. Over the past two days, thoughts of him had occupied her mind. She had picked up her phone several times with the intention of sending him a text, but uncertainty held her back. She wasn't sure what to say or how to make things right with him. The looming encounter with Zishan left her grappling with a mix of emotions.

She could still vividly recall the way he looked, every word he spoke echoing in her mind on a continuous loop. Haifa had never experienced such a raw declaration of love from anyone before. Her dream hero had transformed into the most romantic and marvelous man she had ever known, yet she found herself at a loss for what to do next.

Despite the overwhelming emotions, Haifa couldn't bring herself to share the incident with Saira or even Aish. It felt too intimate, too personal—it was just for her. Desperation to make him feel better tugged at her, but simultaneously, she feared that in the process, she might unwittingly let herself fall for him. And it was becoming increasingly difficult not to. Zishan, with his sweetness and those loving eyes, was making a place in her heart. He appeared in her dreams repeatedly, and he occupied her thoughts constantly, becoming a presence that was impossible to ignore.

Nervousness fluttered within her as the prospect of seeing him again loomed, yet deep down, a quiet hope whispered, wishing to see him again. His face seemed to materialize everywhere she looked, every passing man carrying a resemblance to him. Haifa pondered what it would truly be like to be with him, as a real couple. Would he maintain his sweetness, or was it merely the enchantment of the initial phase that all couples go through before reality sets in? She yearned for him to be just as romantic, even beyond the honeymoon stage.

As they strolled along, her thoughts continuously gravitated towards Zishan. Haifa had longed for Aseel to exhibit romantic and loving gestures, but Zishan appeared different—genuinely nice to everyone around him. She found herself indulging in fantasies about Zishan and couldn't help but hope that he might be hers. Shaking her head, she attempted to regain clarity. Thoughts of Zishan were undeniably messing with her head. She was already committed to Aseel; she couldn't simply end a relationship because of an attraction to another man. It wasn't in her nature.

"As-Salaam-Alaikum." Her mother said at the door.

"Wa alaykumu salam." The door opened with a reply. Razi stood with his mother to greet them.
The house they entered seemed ordinary, much like any other on the island. However, what immediately captured Haifa's attention was the impeccable cleanliness and tidiness, a stark contrast to the aging furniture.

"Welcome! I'm so happy to see you all," Haseena exclaimed as they stepped inside.

Haifa looked around, somewhat puzzled. She had assumed the woman would be confined to a bed, but to her surprise, Haseena stood with the assistance of her son, vibrant and beaming. Razi carefully guided her to the sofa as the women gathered around her.

"You look well, Haseena," Rugiyya remarked, taking a seat.

Haseena laughed, "I am well; it's the hospital that makes me sick," she said, her eyes sparkling.

Razi gave his mother a soft, scolding look. "We're trying to make you better, mamma. I know you'll never rest if you stay home," he insisted.

"It's true. We're never built to rest, right Nasreena?" Haseena turned to her mother, seeking agreement.

Nasreena gently grasped Haseena's hand, saying affectionately, "Yes, but now we are old. We must listen to our children." Haifa observed the tenderness between them as they held hands. “They want the best for us.” She said gently.

Haseena nodded, her eyes revealing a slight darkening underneath, and her breaths noticeably shorter. "I do, really. That's why we are going to Male', even," she explained. Upon closer inspection, Haifa noticed the signs of fatigue on Haseena – the weariness in her eyes and the strain in her breath. "He says we might have to go abroad once again. I really hope we can just stay home. I really hate traveling."

"I know," Haifa's mother reassured. "You'll be home sooner than you think," she added with a comforting smile.

Their visit extended for half an hour before Nasreena reluctantly decided it was time to leave. Haifa could sense her mother's concern and the desire to stay longer by Haseena's side. However, they also noticed Haseena growing visibly tired, her eyes drooping, and her breath becoming shallower. The initial vibrancy of her face was slowly diminishing. Haifa felt a pang of sadness for the elderly woman, realizing she had so much joy and love to share, yet physical limitations were taking their toll.

"Razi, make sure our guests have tea before they leave," Haseena instructed before her younger daughter accompanied their mother to her room for some rest.

Once out of earshot, Haifa's mother turned to Razi, saying, "It's not necessary, Razi. We can just head out."

Razi smiled warmly, "Please stay for tea, Nasreena-daththa. It's no burden."

Nasreena yielded to Razi's request, too polite to refuse. He guided them to the dining hall for tea from the back of the house. Haifa finally let out the cough she had been suppressing and blew her nose loudly. Intentionally lagging behind a little, she hoped to attend to her cold-related touch-ups away from the others. Despite her ailment, she was determined to power through the visit; after all, it was just a cold.

"Are you okay?" a concerned voice behind her interrupted her thoughts. She watched as her mother and Rugiyya disappeared into the dining hall, and Saira had stopped at the door. probably waiting for her. She saw how Saira’s brows went up seeing who was behind her. She smiled gleefully and gave a small wink to Haifa before heading inside.

Haifa quickly tidied herself up, cleaning her nose and smoothing her clothes. How did she look? she wondered anxiously. "I have a cold," she admitted, turning to face Zishan.

Her heart surged as if it had been confined for ages, released at the mere sight of the man. Zishan looked remarkably handsome in a simple green t-shirt and jeans, his expression guarded as he nodded. "How have you been?" he asked quietly.

Haifa studied his face, wondering if he was only inquiring about her illness. "I'm getting better. How about you?" she replied, offering a faint smile.

"I've missed you," he confessed. Haifa felt her breath quicken. She yearned to tell him that she missed him too, to erase the hurt she had caused, and to reassure him that everything was okay.

Taking a deep breath, she admitted, "I didn’t know I would be seeing you today. I wanted to say I was sorry so many times."

Zishan shook his head. "It's me who has to apologize. I put you on the spot, fully aware of how it would turn out," he confessed, running his hand through his hair. "I don't know what prompted me to say those things. It just happened so fast," he explained, looking away with a tinge of guilt.

A pang of grief washed over Haifa as she observed his notably despondent appearance. His usually beaming face now appeared as if the light had dimmed. The usual twinkle in his eyes was dull, and his once-smiling lips seemed tense. She couldn't shake the realization that she had played a role in transforming the happiest, sweetest man into one marked by sorrow.

Haifa stepped closer, her voice gentle. "Don't say it like that. There's nothing to be sorry about," she reassured him.

Turning to face her, they shared a prolonged gaze. "What happens now?" he asked.

"I am in a relationship," she stated simply. He nodded, as if comprehending everything she had conveyed with those few words.

"Have I ruined the friendship we had?" he inquired.

Haifa shook her head. "Of course not," she affirmed. "We will always be friends. If you want to.” She added the latter part hopefully, fully aware of the distasteful nature of keeping him in the friendzone when he was in love with her. Zishan was well aware that she was out of bounds, yet she couldn't bring herself to let him go. It was a selfish act, and she knew it.

He nodded. It seemed as if he yearned to linger, to touch her, or extend their conversation. Taking a step back, he said, "If you need anything, I'm right here," but there was a weight to his words. "I should go," he added, looking away once more.

He stopped and turned, "I almost forgot, Khalid mentioned they've rescheduled the previous wedding shoot. I've given him your number so he can provide you with the details."

Haifa nodded, watching as he walked away. She understood why he gave her number to Khalid. He didn't want to accompany her as they had done in the past. Her lower lip trembled as she realized he was deliberately keeping his distance. She was aware that she had hurt him, but she hadn't anticipated losing him so quickly.

She stood there, rooted to the spot, unsure why she was waiting. The pain of seeing him go felt unexpectedly intense. She had the urge to run after him, to voice the thoughts she had suppressed, to say the things she hadn't even allowed herself to think about. Instead, she remained in the place he had left her.

Though she was the one who had turned him away, Haifa felt like the one who had lost. She fought back tears, an overwhelming desire to call him back surging within her. The ache in her heart was deep, and she wished she could undo the hurt she had unintentionally caused.

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