CONNECTED HEARTS

17: Love's uncertainty!

Kaltoom's voice was barely above a whisper as she said, "Baby, I've missed you so much." Muhammad's response was immediate, his voice low and husky, "I've missed you more, sweetheart." Kaltoom's eyes fluttered closed as she wrapped her arms around him, inhaling the familiar scent of his perfume. The fragrance seemed to envelop her, making her feel lightheaded.

As she nestled her head against his chest, Muhammad's warmth surrounded her. She felt safe, protected, and cherished. When she opened her eyes, she gazed up at Muhammad's face, her cheeks flushing with a gentle shyness. She tried to pull away, but Muhammad's hands were still wrapped around her waist.

He turned her back to face him, his eyes locking onto hers. Kaltoom's heart skipped a beat as she saw the affection and adoration in his gaze. Before she could process her thoughts, Muhammad's lips brushed against hers in a soft, gentle kiss. The touch sent shivers down her spine, leaving her breathless.

Sara's scream echoed through the darkness as she jolted awake, her body drenched in sweat despite the air conditioning. Her long, chocolate-brown hair was tangled and messy, framing her face. "What a nightmare!" she exclaimed, still feeling the anger and frustration.

She threw off the duvet and got out of bed, padding into the kitchen with its sleek purple and black decor. She opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, gulping down half of it in one go. The dream had left her shaken and ruined her mood. She dropped the bottle on the counter and walked back out, the clock reading 3:15 AM.

Sara sighed and settled onto a cushion, wrapping a blanket around herself. She began to think deeply, her mind racing with determination. Her instincts were right, and she wasn't about to give up without a fight. The thought of Muhammad with someone else was unbearable. She had been nurturing her feelings for him for so long, and she couldn't imagine him with anyone else.

She had planned to confess her feelings to him when he returned from Nigeria, to ask him to marry her. But now, something felt off. Sara's resolve hardened as she thought about the dream and the possibility of losing Muhammad to someone else. She was determined to make her move and claim him as her own.

She had never felt such a strong connection with anyone else, and since his return, she could sense him slipping further away from her grasp. Her determination to make him hers intensified, burning within her like a fire. She would stop at nothing to claim him, to make him see her in a different light. The thought of losing him to someone else was unbearable, and she was willing to do whatever it took to ensure that didn't happen. Her name was Saratou As-shafi'i, and she wouldn't back down without a fight.

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"Morning queen of the house! Can you please wake up!" Kaltoom said, playfully caressing Maimoona's face. "What is it, Kal?" Maimoona replied, her voice groggy from sleep.

"Oh, so you know I'm here for a reason?" Kaltoom teased. "Yeah, I do," Maimoona said irritably, pulling the blanket tighter around herself and snuggling into her pillow. "These days, you never find me unless you're bored."

"Haba, Aunty Maimoona..." Kaltoom cooed, her voice dripping with amusement. "Oh, please! Since when did I become your aunty?" Maimoona retorted, her eyes still half-closed.

"Don't pretend you don't know," Kaltoom said, snatching Maimoona's earplugs. "Drop them... okay, seriously, what is it?" Maimoona demanded, sitting up and reaching for her earplugs. Kaltoom held them just out of reach, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"It's about Adyan," Kaltoom said finally, fidgeting with her phone. Maimoona gave her a knowing look. "And what about him?"

"I feel like he has another girlfriend," Kaltoom said, her brow furrowed in concern. "And on the other hand, I feel like the girl is trying to force herself on him. I don't know, I'm not sure."