It was the afternoon, the sun still high in the sky projecting a light through the windows. The familiar aroma of chocolate cake enveloped the kitchen as Shaheera and Rima settled into the table on the side of the room. The children's cries and the spilled hot chocolate on the black tile gave the impression of being in the center of a daycare. Shaheera smiled passively as Rima continued her monologue. Lost in thought, her gaze fixed on Rima's children playing in the living room to their right, Shaheera could barely hear what her friend was saying.
Rima leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Alright, spill the beans now! What's the latest scoop on your love life? Any potential suitors caught your eye?"
Shaheera shook her head slightly, coming back into reality. She chuckled, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. She looked at her hands on the table and admired her golden watch for a second. "Well, she started. There is someone who has been on my mind lately."
Rima's eyebrows shot up in delight. "Ooh, Mark! I've noticed the way he looks at you. Something is brewing there. I knew it! I saw it the moment you guys met each other. The second he saw you he was head over heels for you. Did he talk to you about something? Or did he try to get you into the "let me meet your father" conversation?"
Shaheera's lips curved into a shy smile. "No! nothing of that sort. We've had some pleasant exchanges of course and to be honest most of our conversations were about work. However, something happened." She said in a mysterious tone.
Rima leaned closer, her curiosity piqued. "Tell me more, Shaheera. What happened?"
Shahhera leaned as well, talking in a low tone, as if they were in the middle of a coffee shop. "Last week, I was with Jasra and we got a delivery. It was a gigantic bouquet of roses. But when I say gigantic. I mean it." Rima's eyes widened in surprise but she kept silent. "I thought at first it was from this book club I subscribed to, but it was him. I told him thank you rapidly last time, but he never said anything more about it."
Shaheera paused, her eyes scanning the room before meeting Rima's gaze. "Honestly, Rima, I've never been one to actively seek marriage at this stage of my life. When I think of Mark, I feel like he could be someone with a deep place in my heart. He's kind, attentive, and there's an effortless ease in our interactions. It's like we understand each other without words. Yet ..."
"Yet?" Rima asked taking one of her sons in her arms.
"Is he the one? Is he the one that will ease my heart and soul?" Shaheera sighed and looked again at her watch. It was a gift from her mother when she turned twenty-three. Since her birthday three years ago she never went a day out without it. It was a comforting weight. A little reminder her family was still with her, no matter the distance.
Rima's grin widened, her voice filled with excitement. "Shaheera! You think too much! Do you really believe I would be married with two kids if I thought so much about love? It could be the start of something truly special. Don't be afraid to explore what this connection might lead to. You deserve happiness and companionship."
Shaheera nodded, her thoughts mingling with the swirling steam of hot chocolate. "You're right. Perhaps it's time for me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the unexpected."
Their conversation veered into a lively discussion about relationships and their all favorite topic. Fantasy books. As the minutes slipped by, Rima's twins calmed down and soon enough they were sleeping on the couch, a Disney movie still playing on the TV on a low volume.
"Well, I think it's time for me to go. Jasra won't be home tonight so I would rather not stay outside too much alone." Shaheera whispered, scared to wake up the boys. Rima stood up and started cleaning up the kitchen.
"Yes it's a good idea" she responded nodding, two toys already in her hands. "Let me get you to the door".
"No! no! It's fine I know the way. Keep going, I'll message you as soon as I get back home ok? I'll see you tomorrow at work anyway."
They shared a warm hug and the two friends separated. With a renewed sense of purpose and a gentle warmth in her heart, Shaheera bid farewell to Rima, grateful for the deep conversation they shared. She left the building and went to her car rapidly. Her phone buzzed with an incoming Facetime call. Her heart fluttered with anticipation as she tapped the answer button, revealing her mother's familiar face on the screen. Naajia's eyes lit up with joy, her voice filled with affection.
"Ah, ma chérie How have you been, my dear?" Naajia's voice carried a hint of motherly pride and genuine curiosity. Her French as perfect as Shaheera's but with a tint of accent from the north of the country.
A smile spread across Shaheera's face as she returned her mother's gaze. "Maman, It's so nice to see you. I've been well. In fact, I have some exciting news to share. I've been promoted at the publishing house. I'm now officially an employee, working on some amazing projects."
Naajia's eyes widened with pride and excitement. Her voice was filled with a mixture of admiration and joy. "Oh my god! I'm so happy for you. I always knew your talent and hard work would be recognized. Mabruk, ma chérie."
Touched by her mother's words, Shaheera felt a surge of warmth within her. She briefly recalled her encounter with Hasan a week before, his kind and shy demeanor leaving an indelible mark on her heart. She couldn't help but think how cute he looked, how his eyes sparkled when he spoke with her, and how her heart would beat a little bit faster. Weirdly, their short encounter made her feel at home, like when she was talking with her mother.
"Maman, your unwavering belief in me has been my guiding light. Thank you for always supporting me," Shaheera expressed. Feeling emotional out of the blue, her voice was filled with gratitude and love.
Naajia's smile widened, the deep love she held for her daughter shining through. "My dear, I will always be here to cheer you on, to celebrate your successes, and to uplift you during the challenging times. Now, tell me, how is your love life? Any potential suitors on the horizon?"
A blush crept up Shaheera's cheeks as she looked away, a mix of emotions swirling within her. The topic of marriage always stirred a whirlwind of expectations and uncertainties. Those days it looked like it was the main topic of her life. First Jasra, then Rima, and now her own Mother. It looked like the three of them were working together to get her married.
"Maman, you know me. I believe in destiny and true love. I trust that the right person will come into my life at the right time," Shaheera replied mechanically, her voice laced with a touch of nervousness and hope. Every time the topic was on the table, she repeated those words. If in the beginning, she believed they were true, she felt pessimistic as time passed.
Naajia's eyes twinkled mischievously as she playfully nudged her daughter's heart. "Ah, my romantic daughter. But don't forget to keep an open heart, my dear. You always have something to point out. You shall keep an open eye, I'm telling you. I would have never met your father if I didn't. Speaking of which, I have a proposition for you."
Shaheera's curiosity piqued, and she leaned in closer to the screen, her eyes filled with anticipation. Her mother always had some special demands and surprising ideas.
"What proposition, Maman?" Shaheera asked, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of fear of what her mother would propose.
Naajia's smile widened. "Next summer, when you come back to visit us in France, there's your cousin's wedding. I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for you to meet potential suitors and their mothers. It's important to keep an open mind, as I said."
Shaheera's eyes closed for a minute. It wasn't the first time her mother was proposing that kind of idea. Every time she repeated the words she told her earlier. But after her conversation with Rima, she felt like maybe all those years she waited for a love she didn't work for. If it was scary at first, the idea of meeting potential suitors at a family wedding both excited and made her slightly nervous suddenly. instead of waiting for the opportunity to come, she should take it herself.
"Maman, you always have a way of surprising me! A wedding? Meeting potential suitors? It sounds like an interesting adventure." Shaheera replied.
Naajia beamed with joy, her love for her daughter radiating through the screen. "That's my brave and beautiful daughter! Remember, my dear, life is an adventure, and love has a way of finding its path. Trust in yourself, follow your heart, and Insh'Allah you will cross paths with the one meant to be your partner."
Tears welled up in Shaheera's eyes, a mixture of gratitude and love filling her heart. "Thank you, Maman."
Their conversation drew to a close, but the love and connection between mother and daughter lingered, an unbreakable bond that transcended time and distance.
As Shaheera sat there now in her car, reflecting on her mother's words, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for the upcoming wedding and the possibilities it held. Her heart also carried a flicker of hope, a memory of Hasan's kind and shy demeanor. She smiled to herself, knowing that love had a way of surprising even the most skeptical of hearts. Somewhere she kept thinking of Mark and how things were easy with him. But as she thought of him as a possible suitor, Hasan's black eyes appeared.
After twenty minutes of alone karaoke in her car, Shaheera finally found solace in the comfort of her home. Her heart felt a mixture of warmth and longing after her heartfelt conversation with her mother and Rima. Settling into her favorite spot, she prepared for a video call with Thomas, eager to dive into the next project. The day before they planned this video call. It was the first official work Shahhera will have to do by herself. Settling down in the living room, she put her Computer on the small table and sat on the ground, her praying hijab on. It was an odd hijab, made with cotton fabric, decorated with purple flowers.
The screen flickered to life, revealing Thomas' familiar face, his voice filled with a professional yet friendly tone.
"Good evening, Shaheera," Thomas greeted, his voice resonating with a sense of purpose. "I hope you're well. I have an exciting new project to discuss with you."
Shaheera nodded, her anticipation growing. "Good evening, Thomas. I'm ready to dive into this new venture. What's the project about?"
A gleam of excitement sparked in Thomas' eyes as he leaned forward, his voice carrying a hint of enthusiasm.
"We're planning a re-edition of a renowned scientific book, with updated content and additional chapters. It's a remarkable opportunity for you to showcase your skills and contribute to the medical field," Thomas explained.
Shaheera's heart quickened but her face kept this professional expression she always kept when Thomas was around. As Thomas kept explaining the purpose of the project, Shaheera nodded at each point her boss was making.
"You can count on me, Thomas," she replied finally, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I think I have a rough idea of what the book is about, but could you please be more precise about what will my role be in this project?"
Thomas smiled, his voice exuding confidence and trust. "Shaheera, I'm entrusting you with the task of reaching out to the medical professionals listed here. We want to keep them informed about an upcoming conference dedicated to the book's publication. It's essential to ensure their active involvement and valuable insights. I know it's far from your domain of expertise, but after your several input, I want you to organize the event and direct the correction of the new chapters we're adding."
As Shaheera glanced at the list of names, her eyes widened with surprise. Amidst the familiar names, one stood out—Hasan. Hasan Abbasi.
A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she remembered their unexpected encounter at the hospital. The way he looked at her, with a kind and shy gaze, had left an indelible mark on her heart. She couldn't help but think of him as handsome, in a way that made her heart flutter. In the depths of her thoughts, a tinge of sadness crept into Shaheera's voice as she mused to herself, "How could a guy as handsome as Hasan even consider someone like me as a potential wife?"
Her mind drifted back to their brief conversation, the way he had effortlessly made her smile and feel seen. She remembered briefly how she wanted to make him smile and how when he did, he looked so touching. With a heavy sigh, Shaheera focused her attention back on the task at hand. She reminded herself that this was a professional endeavor, one where she needed to showcase her skills and dedication.
As the video call ended, Shaheera delved into her work, drafting emails and reaching out to the medical professionals on the list. With each correspondence, she carefully crafted her message, ensuring she captured the essence of the conference and the importance of their contributions.
Maghrib approaching, she hummed one of her favorite songs Fi Hagat by Johanna Morkos. Yet, in the back of her mind, the memory of Hasan lingered like a bittersweet melody. She couldn't help but wonder what he thought of their encounter if he remembered their brief exchange as vividly as she did.
Moments of melancholy washed over her as she pondered the enigmatic nature of life and love. But Shaheera, resilient and determined, shook off those thoughts, focusing on her professional responsibilities.
With every email sent, she found solace in the knowledge that she was making progress, inching closer to the realization of this significant project. Finally, time to break her fast, Shaheera ate and prayed by herself, waiting for her friend to come back from work. JWhen asra was finally back, they spent the rest of the night together, Jasra still talking about how much she hated Hasan and how unbearable he had been that day. Shaheera kept her smile, but she thought of how Jasra would react if she knew what she thought of Hasan.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM696OoajHp
