Out Of Wreckage?

Chapter Thirty Eight

I gazed out of the window, my eyes were glued to the pair of birds on the other side. It reminded me of him as his voice still resonated in my ears.

"But what's the use when I can't share it with the person I love."

"I've always been in love with you."

His confession. His damn confession!

I thought that I could forget that it ever happened but since the day he actually confessed, there's hardly any other thing that I could actually ponder about.

Not even about Aslam. It's a surprise that he doesn't get bothered much when his boss Hamza often visits us.
It's obvious that he doesn't know anything about us. Except that there is no us but why does it feel like I'm betraying my husband?
Though, I've kept my distance which Hamza has always respected but there's a part of me that feels differently.

His mannerism. His pacific attitude.
I know he's not the person who had any hidden agenda or personal motive behind it. Even if I want, I can't really doubt him.
He helped me even when I didn't ask him to. He was with me even when he knew there was no gain for him.
This show what kind of a person he is. Somewhere, I do feel guilty because there's something in my heart for the man who is not my mahram. It's wrong on so many levels because I'm still married to this other man who is the father of my child.
At times, I just want to leave but it's for the sake of my daughter that I'm making my marriage work. Bushra loves her father no matter how rude and vile he is.

Yesterday, when I was busy in the kitchen. She had drawn a lovely sketch of her perfect family which is far from being perfect.
It made me realise how she actually saw us being what we are definitely not.
It's her picture of a happy family that I can't break.

Suddenly I heard a loud knock on the door which broke my reverie. As I opened the door, I froze when my eyes met his.
Hamza was standing at the door. Trying to catch his breath, he looked so miserable yet equally handsome. Worried line were etched on his forehead.

Something was wrong. I could tell from his facial expressions.

"Assalam alaikum, Rabia!" He said.

"Walaikum assalam." I replied whilst quickly recuperating myself.

He sighed, "Is Aslam home?" He asked.

"No. I don't know. Is everything okay?" I asked him out of concern.

He rubbed his temples, "Just ask him to meet me as soon as he can."

"What's wrong?" My curiosity was piqued.
What had Aslam done this time?

"Nothing. It's just business." He gave me a tight lipped smile which was very unlike him.

But after his heartful confession,  do I really know him?

"Ammi!" Bushra ran upto me, intruding our conversation and she hugged me tightly before she finally noticed Hamza.

"Uncle Hamza! Assalam alaikum." She greeted him.

"Walaikum Assalam dear." He smiled at her. 
The real one.

His hand immediately moved to his pocket as he pulled out a big bar of chocolate.

"Take. Sorry but I couldn't get you anything else." He offered her while Bushra looked up to me, indirectly asking for my permissions.

I gave her nod and she happily grabbed it before uttering a quick thank you to him.

"If you want, you can wait for him inside." I suggested.

He glanced at his watch and shook his head.