The morning light filtered gently through the blinds of Omar and Aisha's cozy apartment, casting a warm glow over the living room as Sara zipped up her bag, preparing to leave. Omar leaned casually against the doorframe, watching her with a slight smile.
"Hope you had a great time," he said, his voice filled with warmth.
Sara returned his smile as she slung her purse over her shoulder. "It was wonderful. Thank you both for everything."
Aisha entered from the kitchen with three steaming cups of coffee. She handed one to Sara, her eyes bright and welcoming. "Come back soon, alright? We loved having you here.”
They shared a warm embrace, and soon Omar was guiding Sara to the door. He glanced back, catching Aisha’s gentle wave goodbye, her face soft with warmth, her gaze lingering just a moment longer before she disappeared back inside.
On the way to the airport, Sara's thoughts drifted back over the past two days. She'd done everything she could to help bridge the quiet distance between Omar and Aisha, nudging them closer in the small ways she could. She knew it was up to them now, to decide if they’d take the steps to truly connect. With a hopeful heart, she silently wished they would find peace and happiness together.
As they pulled up at the departure terminal, Sara turned to Omar with a gentle smile. "Omar, take care of yourself—and Aisha," she said softly, her words carrying a subtle encouragement.Making him nod at her.
After watching her disappear through the gates, Omar headed to work. The day passed in a blur of meetings and tasks, the usual hum of activity keeping him busy until evening. As the clock struck six, he finally began to pack up, eager to return home.
The comforting aroma of spices and simmering vegetables welcomed him as he walked into the apartment that evening. The faint clatter of pans came from the kitchen, and he set his keys down, drawn by the familiar sounds.
He paused at the kitchen entrance, taking in the scene. Aisha stood by the stove, stirring a pot with quiet concentration. Her long dark hair cascaded freely down her back, a few strands framing her face as they caught the warm glow from the kitchen lights. She wore a deep blue kurta paired with white pants, an image of calm and grace. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen her with her hair down, but tonight, he couldn’t help but stare. Unaware of his presence, she continued humming a gentle Naat of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), her voice soft and soothing, filling the kitchen with an almost sacred tranquility. For a moment, the stress of his day melted away as he watched her, captivated by the peacefulness of the scene.
Sensing his gaze, Aisha looked up, pleasantly surprised. She offered him a warm smile that reached her eyes. “How was your day?”
“It was good, a bit hectic. Sara called to say she landed safely.”
"That’s wonderful. Why don’t you freshen up? I’ll finish here, then we can have dinner," Aisha suggested.
Omar nodded, heading toward the bedroom. Aisha quickly cleaned up the kitchen before heading to pray, performing her ablutions in the guest room to give him privacy. As she finished praying, her phone rang, and her mother-in-law’s name flashed on the screen.
"Assalamualaikum, Mamma! Kaise hain aap? Papa kaise hain?" she asked eagerly.
(Peace be upon you,Mom!How are you?How is Dad?)
"Walaikum Assalam, mera bacha. Alhumdulillah, we’re all fine. How about you and Omar?" Salma replied warmly, a laugh in her voice at Aisha’s excitement.
(Peace be upon you too,My child.By Allah's Grace,we're all fine.How about you and Omar?)
"Jii, Alhumdulilah, we’re good too. I was just wondering—it's late over there. Everything okay?"
“Yes, all is well. We just wanted to speak to both of you together, so I thought I'd call at a time you’d both be home," Salma explained.
“Oh, he’s just finished freshening up. Let me put you on speaker,” Aisha said, heading toward the bedroom. She found Omar ready for the evening, and held out the phone. “Mamma’s on the line,” she said softly.
After exchanging greetings, Salma got to the point of her call.
“Omar, Aisha—Hafsa’s in-laws reached out today. They want to finalize a date for Hafsa and Haroon’s wedding. They suggested December 8, three weeks from now. Would you both be able to make it?”
Omar’s face broke into a wide smile, glancing at Aisha, who nodded excitedly. “Mamma, whatever you and Papa decide, we’ll be there. We’ll plan to come a few days early.”
“Hafsa was keen to have your input, but if you’re both okay with it, we’ll confirm the date.”
They shared a few more joyful words before saying their goodbyes. As Omar ended the call, he couldn’t help but chuckle, seeing Aisha’s radiant expression.
“Can you believe it? Our little Hafsa is getting married,” Omar said, feeling a swell of nostalgia. Hafsa was two years younger than Omar, now at 26, the same age as Aisha. Despite her age, Omar still saw her as the little girl she once was, his “baby sister” in every sense. Hafsa was the only daughter of Salma and Fardeen Siddiqui, their most cherished child, showered with a lifetime of love and affection. Omar knew she deserved every bit of it. Their bond had remained just as strong, even after Omar moved to London to pursue his career. He made it a priority to stay close to her, ensuring that distance didn’t dilute the closeness they shared.
Hafsa had completed her Master's degree in Business Administration, choosing to stay in Pakistan for her education and career. Step by step, she had gained experience in her father's company, gradually preparing to take over the family business. Omar, who had established his own enterprise, reassured his father that he would not interfere; he trusted Hafsa to manage everything unless she specifically sought his advice. In Omar’s eyes, she was not only capable but destined to make her mark, and he was immensely proud.
Hafsa’s engagement to Haroon Qureshi, a young and ambitious businessman, was a recent chapter in her life. Haroon, who had taken over his father’s company after his retirement, had met Hafsa through family acquaintances. Their engagement, now six months old, had brought joy to both families. Though Omar and Aisha couldn’t attend the engagement due to Omar's business commitments, they made sure to send heartfelt wishes, vowing that nothing would prevent them from being there on her wedding day.
Now, with the wedding only weeks away, Omar felt a deep, bittersweet nostalgia. It felt surreal that the little girl he’d always protected and cherished was about to step into a new life of her own.
Aisha shared his sentiment. Being the same age and having gone to the same school, she and Hafsa had grown up as best friends, their bond only strengthening when Hafsa became her sister-in-law. As an only child, Aisha had always considered Hafsa the sister she’d never had. Now, seeing her friend and sister-in-law step into this new chapter brought a mixture of joy and wistfulness.
After a quiet dinner, they allowed the news to settle. The impending wedding added an extra layer of excitement as Aisha realized she’d be returning to Pakistan after a year, to reunite with family and celebrate Hafsa’s wedding.
As they lay in bed, each lost in their own thoughts, Omar couldn’t help but watch the shifting emotions on Aisha’s face—joy, nostalgia, anticipation. For him, this trip would be about more than just being a devoted son and brother; it was also a chance to connect with his wife on a deeper level. He had a renewed determination to make the most of this time together, to bring a new closeness to their relationship.
Soon, with quiet smiles and hopeful hearts, they drifted off to sleep, each dreaming of the joyful reunion and the celebration awaiting them.
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