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Stepping into the firm's lobby, I tried to calm the nervous flutter in my chest. It was my first day, and no matter how many times I told myself to relax, my pulse didn't seem to get the memo. I adjusted my dupatta, squaring my shoulders as I entered the office. The low hum of conversation, the steady clacking of keyboards-it was the sound of work, of purpose, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was part of something important.
"Hey! You must be Sobia!" A young man with an easy smile approached me. "I'm Ali, one of the senior associates here."
I nodded, grateful that someone had broken the ice. "Yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you."
As we chatted, a young woman with bright eyes and a bubbly energy joined us. "Hi! I'm Aisha. Welcome to the firm! Excited for your first day?"
I couldn't help but smile. They were both so warm and welcoming, and I found the tension in my shoulders slowly easing. "Excited and a little nervous," I admitted.
"Well, don't be. You'll do great," Aisha reassured me as she led me toward my desk. "It's right over here."
But when I got there, I stopped in my tracks. A beautiful bouquet of white lilies sat on my desk, their delicate fragrance immediately catching my attention. My heart skipped a beat. Who-?
"Ohhh, someone's got an admirer!" Aisha teased, nudging me playfully. Ali leaned in with an amused grin.
My breath hitched when I spotted a small card tucked within the bouquet. I reached for it, my hands trembling slightly as I opened the envelope. My heart gave a small flutter when I saw the familiar handwriting. Shahzain's handwriting.
"For my strong, capable wife on her first day. I believe in you, Sobia. Always. -Shahzain."
For a moment, I just stared at the words, reading them over and over. I hadn't expected this. Shahzain was full of surprises these days, but this...this was different. It wasn't just a gesture. It was support. It was care. And that realization sent a warmth spreading through my chest, melting away any lingering nerves.
Sensing the confused looks on their faces, I clarified, "It's from my husband."
My husband. The words echoed in my heart, and they felt so good, so right. A warm feeling enveloped me, spreading through my chest and filling me with an unfamiliar but welcome sense of contentment. I hadn't expected it—this overwhelming surge of emotion just from saying those words aloud—but there it was, undeniable.
"Well, looks like someone's got a husband who knows how to score extra points," Ali joked, glancing over at the lilies.
I couldn't help but laugh softly, shaking my head. "He doesn't need to. Not anymore."
