How Love Happens - Chapter 42

 

"Hi," her voice barely audible.

"Hi," he replied.

Haifa could barely move, "You're here," she whispered, her vision starting to blur as her eyes welled up.

"I am," he said, running his hand through his beautiful, thick hair, his eyes never leaving hers. He, too, seemed unable to speak or move, as if she might disappear. "Can we talk?" he asked.

Haifa felt a deep need to touch his face, bury her face in his chest, and stay forever in his arms. But she restrained herself, trying to compose, blinking back her tears. How much had she missed him, she couldn't even say.

"Yes, please come in," she said as she stood up, disposed off the last of her soiled paper towels and gestured for him to sit at the dining table. "Can I get you something? Water? Coffee?"

"Water will be fine, thanks."

Haifa brought two glasses. God knows how dried up her throat felt. She sipped her water before asking, "How are you?" powerless to express what she really wanted to. Fear held her back, afraid she might spook him and make him leave. Afraid she might wake up from this blissful dream. "I heard you finished the training course. I was really proud. I wanted to congratulate you, but I wasn't sure if that would be something you might want."

He looked at her. "I'm sorry I came unannounced. I should have called."

"No, it's fine," she assured quickly. "I'm glad you're here. How... How did you find me?"

"I asked Saira for Aish's number. I didn't have a plan," he admitted. "I just had to see you and got on a flight, and I was in Male'. It was only after I arrived here that I realized I had no idea where you were. I walked around for a while, thinking about what you must think of me for dropping in like this. I was about to go back, but then I thought I might as well do what I came here to do."

"And you hated flying," she murmured.

"I did, I still do. But I can't wait any longer. I've fought with myself constantly over the past months. Tried so hard to forget you. I tried to be angry with you, tried everything to keep myself away from you. I even deleted your number in case I might get tempted," he confessed.

Haifa tried to process what he was saying, her mind going off course. She couldn't believe he was really here. She wanted to touch him, check for sure that he was real. She felt like she was in a dream. She had lived every day hoping to see him again, conjuring him in her mind so many times, imagining he was actually here with her when she was alone and struggling every day.

"What changed your mind?" she asked hesitantly.

He drank from the glass he was holding, then stared at it once again. "I was using the training to hide from how much I wanted you. It wasn't easy but bearable, away on another island, giving classes, and being with so many people. It was a distraction. The moment I came back, everything I was hiding came to light."

"I cannot run from what I was feeling, and neither can I forget you, however much I tried. I just knew I had to come to you, make things right," he said softly, lifting his eyes to hers.

"I've missed you," he said. At that moment, Haifa saw a lost man pleading with his eyes. The hurt in his eyes made hers sting. Her heart clenched at the thought that she had made him hurt. He was innocent. She was the one who had done wrong, yet somehow, he was hurting right there in front of her.

"I missed you too," she said with regret. "I am so sorry for the way I left things. I am so sorry I kept secrets; you deserved better…" she croaked.

He shook his head. "I lost my temper; I was too scared when you said you wanted to leave. I should be the one apologizing. I always knew your ambitions, probably at some level, I knew you would move back. You had such talent; you deserved to explore every opportunity you got.

I was more scared it would drive you away from me than considering what was important to you or even supporting you," he said, looking at her. "When I proposed, I said I wanted to make you happy, and I was willing to do everything to keep you happy. The moment you said what you wanted, I turned on you," he said sadly.

Haifa took his hand in hers. "Please don't say it like that…" she choked.

"Don't cry... please, if you cry, I will start crying too," his voice broke.

He took her hand and kissed her fingertips, his eyes moistened. "I love you so much. I had never known such pain until I was apart from you. Every day I suffered; I cannot live without you," he said. "Please forgive me. I would move here if that's what makes you happy. As long as I am with you, I will go anywhere you want," he pleaded.

Haifa took an unsteady breath. "I always thought that was what I wanted too. Growing up, we barely had anything, but everyone envied us just because we lived in Male'. Everyone wanted to come to Male'; all were so obsessed with a way to begin their life here. My whole life, I had relished in the belief I was special because I lived here. That I was, in fact, above everyone just for having the luxury to be able to live in the city," she said.

"I hated the idea of belonging to an island, and every time I went back, I hated the people even more for reminding me of my heritage. I did not want to be like them, and I abhorred the idea that I was one of them. I never saw them for who they were; I never saw the value of family and relatives. For me, life was about becoming important in an important place. To have the status and ambition to become successful. Ambition was my only fuel."

"I was so deep in the idea that this was the answer to all my prayers that I never saw the truth. The truth was it was only happy because I was with Mamma. The idea was an illusion I made up with the praise and arrogance instilled in me. It was only when I was taken back to Vavathi, and after meeting you, I realized true happiness lies with loved ones. And losing you made me realize love bears more value than a great place or big dreams, how it feels when there is no one to share it with."

Haifa looked deep into his eyes. "You taught me to love like no other. Once, I was naive enough to attach myself to any man who would give me the barest attention. I had no idea what anyone who truly loved or cared would be like. But I did with you. Leaving you was the worst mistake of my life," she said. "I went to my boss today to quit so that I could go back to Vavathi and hoped one day I could change your mind."

Zishan straightened in his seat. "You were?"

"I was. Only he said I could be transferred to their offices in a few months, an office much closer to Vavathi. That way, I could come back home every day," she told him. "I spent the rest of the day trying to get a ticket or find any way just to go back for a day, even to see you. But every turn was a dead end."

"Oh, my darling..."

Haifa slid off her chair and rushed into his arms, hugging him tightly and breathing him in. "I love you so much," her voice muffled. "I thought I was being punished for what I did to you, that I was not allowed back to you. I never thought a much better plan was in progress and all I had to do was have faith."

They stayed in each other's embrace for a long time.

"So what happens now?" Haifa asked reluctantly. She was afraid to ask the question, afraid he might not want to get married just yet since she was obviously a flight risk. Holding her breath, she lifted her head to look at him.

"If you want, I will move here, or we can wait to be married once you settle back in Vavathi," he said, his brows frowned. "I had already started renovating my room at my home before I proposed, hoping we could live with my family. If that's what you want," he asked hopefully.

"Yes, yes, I want," she said quickly. "Three months to get married?"

"I would want sooner than that, but I can wait," he said, caressing her face. "You are worth the wait."

She leaned her forehead to his, threading her fingers through his hair and cupping his face. They looked into each other, their love speaking volumes. She closed her eyes as she lowered her lips, needing to feel him, to love him. She wanted to lose herself in the sensation, her skin tingling where his arms closed over her waist. His touch was urgent, desperate, and she melted for him. Never wanting to let go again.

A knock came as her door opened slowly. Aish cleared her throat. "Are the lovebirds done with the love talk? Can I come in?" she asked, still behind the door.

Laughing and wiping her tears, Haifa quickly jumped off Zishan's lap. "Come in!" she said. "How long have you been standing outside?" pulling open the door.

Aish walked in with two pizzas piled on one hand and a duffle bag in the other. "Not long. After Zishan called, I assumed I should hold back on my arrival to give you guys some time to catch up."

"Oh, thank you for that and this. I'm famished!" she said as she quickly took the boxes from Aish.

"I should hope so. Did you tell him about the lunch fiasco?" she asked teasingly.

Haifa covered her mouth as Zishan gave her a questioning glance. "Story for another time," she said quickly brushing it off.

"I have also acquired three tickets from a private ferry for tomorrow evening," she said, “After Zishan called, I asked Daddy to take one more ticket, had a feeling you took one way,” she directed towards Zishan.

He held a sheepish grin, “I did, thanks Aish, that’s very kind of you,”

"You're going with us?" Haifa asked Aish, surprised.

"Well, of course, you're not going on a trip without me," Aish said. "Plus, I have strict orders to stay the night with you from your mother," she added, jerking her head at Zishan.

Haifa blushed horribly, "How did she know?" Her mother would never approve of her spending a night with a boy alone. She quickly located her bag and drew her phone to find dozens of calls from her mother and Aish.

Zishan replied, "Saira must have told her when I called."

“I should probably talk to Mamma, you guys start I won't be long,” she said, as she quickly called her mother. She explained the day's developments to her and reassured her that Aish would be staying with her. Her mother told her that she was trusting her to be an adult very pointedly before hanging up. Haifa understood her mother’s words were actually asking her very strictly and in much lesser words to behave.

After they ate, Zishan went outside to buy toiletries since he had not brought any luggage with him. Haifa used the time to pack a bag herself and fill in Aish about the details.

Aish lay comfortably on her bed, watching her pack smiling. "So much happened in just one day," she said. "Yet I had never seen you this happy. I feel happy when I see you happy. The wedding back on?" she asked.

Haifa laughed. "Yes, we discussed using the time until I move permanently back to plan the wedding. Hopefully, in three months."

Aish clapped, sitting up. "Yay, we need to find the perfect dress for you and me too!" she said, opening her Pinterest. "Are we doing themes? Bridesmaids?"

"Oh, I haven't really thought about that."

Her thoughts went back to Saira at once. If anyone would love to be part of it, it would be her. But Haifa had no idea how she felt about her or whether she would be willing to participate.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm thinking about Saira. I wish I had a way to make her forgive me," she looked at her friend with a pleading look. "Can you make her? You could slip in a good word for me?"

"I usually do," Aish said, her face a little more serious. "I think it's not something I can fix. I think you hurt her when you did not tell her the truth and left. I also think she is dealing with something else too and you happened to be on the end of all her anger."

“What do you mean?” she asked

“She hadn’t said anything explicitly but I get the feeling. I have a wide net when dissecting people’s emotions.” She said.

"I'm scared she might never forgive me."

"Well, you just have to show her you have changed and are willing to stay with her, don't you?"

"I guess so."

They spent the rest of the night watching movies, sprawled on the sofa. Haifa was feeling overjoyed and snuggled against Zishan; she had missed how lovely it felt to be in his arms, to feel comfort in his warmth. He kept dropping kisses on her head and squeezing her hand.

They heard a sudden sound, very much like a snore. They both lifted their heads to find Aish dozing off. Zishan chuckled, “You better go wake her and go to sleep; I will take the sofa. She’s been already too good to us. If she stays much longer on the sofa, she will wake up with a stiff neck. I wouldn’t want that.”

“Do you know just how perfect you are?” she whispered into his ear. “I had no idea I would be getting such a sweet man.”

“I am not really perfect. I am perfect only when I am with you,” he whispered back.

“I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

The End

Next in the series, COMING SOON!

The story of Aish, a girl who recently started working in her father’s company. She is determined to make a name for herself and she is haunted by images of the beautiful boy she met eight years ago, a boy she had fallen for like no other. Unable to find him, yet unable to forget the days they spent together. Aish is content with her life with only memories… until he unexpectedly bumps into her life.

Lies and betrayal within, the story of Aish and Riyaan is just the beginning. As it unfolds, their tale miraculously becomes something different, with much higher stakes. The result is a deeply moving portrait of love itself, tender moments, and fundamental changes.

Chapter 1

Ayesha

Ayesha pondered her closet, her finger tapping thoughtfully on her chin as she sought the perfect top to complement the stylish grey pants she had acquired just the day before. It was Sunday morning, signaling the start of another workday at her father's company.

In the initial days, Ayesha grappled with self-consciousness about her attire. On the very first day, she had chosen a vibrant hot pink office blouse, inadvertently standing out like a sore thumb. Three months into her tenure, she made a conscious decision – she refused to conform to the dull palette of beige and funeral-like black that seemed to dominate her workplace. Ayesha was drawn to bright, beautiful clothes, and she vowed not to succumb to the scrutiny of office fashion norms.

She was well aware of the sidelong glances and silent judgments from her colleagues, perceiving her as just another Gen Z individual trying too hard. Nevertheless, being the boss's daughter shielded her from direct comments. Ayesha found herself caught between two forms of overwhelming judgment, unsure of which bothered her more. Regardless, she resolved not to let it affect her. She was determined to persevere, work diligently, and demonstrate that her success was entirely her own.

Ayesha retrieved the sleek red office shirt with its crisp collar, a part of the complete set of professional attire she had ordered from her go-to online store, "Shein," just before embarking on her work journey. She had even invested in accessories and shoes to complete the ensemble. Refusing to let her stylish pieces gather dust in the closet due to potential judgment from her colleagues, she defiantly decided to showcase her personal style.

With a determined huff, she donned the shirt and assessed her reflection in the full-length mirror. Her brown and blonde dyed hair was fashioned into a chic high ponytail, and she couldn't help but acknowledge that she looked impeccable. A thought crossed her mind – who dictated that working women should stick to dull colors and less trendy outfits? Why should the quality of work be linked to one's clothing choices, and how does appearance reflect someone's capabilities? Ayesha found these notions perplexing.

Highly qualified, Ayesha had excelled in her business major, earning top marks in her studies. Her father, foreseeing a future where she would lead his company alongside her brothers, had suggested the field when she completed high school. Ayesha's path to success was carefully envisioned by her father, who held high expectations for her.

Coming from affluent backgrounds, her parents belonged to high-class families and were among the fortunate few to pursue higher education. While their peers settled down and started families, Ayesha's parents dedicated themselves to building successful careers. Her father, in particular, had achieved remarkable success, establishing one of the country's premier communication companies from the ground up. Meanwhile, her mother had gained prominence working in a prestigious private law firm, achieving fame in her mid-30s. The legacy of success and ambition ran deep in Ayesha's family.

Ayesha's parents, having married late, welcomed her elder brother and Ayesha into their lives. Initially planning for just two children, they fondly referred to her as their "happy little surprise." Both sides of the family doted on the newborn girl, treating her like a princess. Ayesha's brothers playfully teased her, asserting that she was the true apple of their parents' eyes.

Growing up in a lavish environment, surrounded by a loving family, Ayesha never felt burdened by her father's suggestions regarding her studies and career path. Instead, she welcomed his guidance, finding solace in avoiding the uncertainty of wandering through different paths only to realize her true calling too late.

Slipping into her black and silver velvet pumps, she effortlessly swung her soft leather office bag over her arm. Purposefully, she made her way to the waiting car outside her house, adjusting her clothes with graceful finesse. Greeting her driver warmly, Ayesha settled into her seat as the clock approached eight in the morning. Grateful for Male' being a compact island, sparing her the agony of long commutes, she couldn't escape the relentless congestion of office rush hour traffic, even in such a small city.

"Don't worry, madam. We'll get there on time," her driver, Rashid, assured her with a smile through the rearview mirror.

Returning the smile, Ayesha replied, "Thank you, Rashid." Today is a new day, she thought. She had this.

***

Ayesha let out an exasperated sigh, and it wasn't even noon yet. The day that began with such enthusiasm had quickly unraveled. She found herself redoing all the preparations she had diligently completed for the mid-morning meetings the day before. It turned out that the department heads had a late-night session, resulting in significant changes to the plans they had collectively agreed upon just the day prior.

As the junior assistant, Ayesha now bore the weight of recreating all the documents and presentations from scratch for the upcoming noon meeting. The lack of preparedness left her feeling anxious. A perfectionist at heart, she thrived on clear timelines and directions for her tasks. Since the beginning of her tenure, she couldn't shake the sense of failure. They expected her to understand the established procedures, yet crucial changes were made without her knowledge. Complaining or commenting was not an option; she was to keep her head down and comply.

Frustration and panic coexisted with Ayesha. The last thing she wanted was to be perceived as the one incapable of preparing for a meeting. The fear of becoming the subject of ridicule among her colleagues loomed large, threatening to brand her as a useless employee.

Ayesha's phone buzzed, signaling a message from Bathool. It was their usual coffee break hour, and Ayesha knew Bathool was probably already waiting for her. However, today was different, and Ayesha couldn't afford to step away. Engrossed in her work, she continued typing away on her desktop computer, squinting at the notes her boss had provided. Over time, she had become adept at deciphering others' handwriting, a skill she believed should have been taught in school from the start.

She recalled her first week when her boss handed her a draft of a letter, and she had struggled to make out the words. It was then that Bathool had come to her rescue, offering a valuable tip: focus on the entire sentence rather than fixating on individual words to better understand the context.

Bathool, a veteran in the company for years, had seamlessly integrated into the workplace. She was the kind of person who saw into one's heart rather than being influenced by external appearances. Bathool's character transcended hierarchies; whether Ayesha was the daughter of the boss or a janitor's relative made no difference to her. In Bathool's eyes, everyone was valued for their true essence.

Ayesha had just wrapped up her presentation when she hastily gathered her folders, rushing to the conference room. To her dismay, the glass doors were firmly closed, and inside, the meeting had already commenced. She stood there, hands full with files and a water bottle, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. In her moment of urgency, she heard a man's voice nearby.

Turning, she saw a tall, lean figure engrossed in a calm phone conversation. His back faced her, dressed in a crisp blue shirt neatly tucked into grey slacks, sleeves rolled up, and a laptop bag slung across his body. Something about him felt oddly familiar, but Ayesha couldn't dwell on that thought in her current predicament.

Desperation in her voice, she approached him, "Hello, excuse me. Could you please open this door?"

The man halted his conversation, turning towards Ayesha. At that moment, it felt as if the ground had been pulled from under her feet. Her heart raced, and her eyes widened with surprise. There he was—the boy from her past, now a grown man. His face was a memory that had lingered in her thoughts over the years. Ayesha and the man stood there, both frozen in time. His phone remained midway, lowered as their eyes met in recognition.