Beauty and the joker

11. Nasi Lamak

Zahran was holding Ayesha, who looked at everything with curious eyes. Yahya had already made up his mind about the toys he wanted and was selecting his favorite car.

Tahira had already gathered the things she needed for her maternity care and was now exploring the children's book section. She picked up the Cinderella book but put it back where she had taken it.

"Why did you keep it back?" Zahran asked.

"I never liked the Cinderella story. Also, there's nothing to learn from it," she replied.

Zahran looked at the book, and the picture of Cinderella drawn in it reminded him of someone.

He had met her at the party. She was alone and lonely, yet the most beautiful and elegant. They talked for hours, and it felt like a connection. Yet, just like Cinderella had to flee from the palace, she also disappeared. Instead of leaving behind a shoe, she left with words,

I WISH WE HAD MET IN A DIFFERENT PLACE, IN A DIFFERENT TIME AND IN A DIFFERENT WORLD, MAYBE THEN THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

Zahran wanted to ask her why, but she left even before he could inquire about anything. Later, when he searched for her, he discovered that everything related to her was fake. She was not a 29-year-old Agatha Christie, the real estate agent and part-time chef she claimed to be. Zahran realized that she was a con artist, and he had been conned big time. She had stolen his heart without his permission.

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"What are you thinking?" Tahira asked.

Zahran looked at her, completely covered in a veil. Except for her eyes, everything was covered.

"Nothing, my beautiful Ella." hearing his words, Tahira blushed behind her niqab.

She shook her head dismissively. That day when he had seen her on the riverbank, he couldn't believe his eyes. Later, he had become quite skeptical about her. Since he knew she was a con artist, he feared if she was really an associate of Joker or not.

However, after some time, Zahran realized she had genuinely lost her memories. And, she had changed so much. How could he not trust her and give her another chance when he himself was given a second chance? That day he had put his trust in the Almighty and married her. And, he didn't regret his choice.

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Khadija's three-year-old squealed with glee, Mariam tickling his belly.She had come to visit them, and they planned to go out for dinner. Khadija was getting ready, and Daud entered the room.

"Heard you have become a Harvard professor? Did you really get the job, or did you hack into their system ?" Mariam inquired. Though she knew that he had changed for better, yet soemtimes she feared.

"Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah, I got it due to my talent and hard work. Besides, I have reformed myself. I am thinking of writing a book, 'From Dan to Daud: Journey from darkness to light." he grinned.

At that moment, Khadija entered the room.

"How do I look?" Khadija asked, hoping to hear the words of praise.

"Just as you always look," Daud replied.

Mariam was about to lecture Daud to treat Khadija with more love and respect.

"Beautiful and more beautiful," Daud added, winking at Khadija. A blush appeared on his cheeks.

Mariam smiled.

"Can't believe you two always used to fight like cats and dogs. Time changes everything," Mariam gasped.

"We still do, sometimes. We relive some old memories," Daud added, and Khadija smiled.