Collision of hearts

Chapter 21

Nadia's POV

What did I do? When Zaid confessed his love for me, I was taken completely by surprise, and I didn't know how to respond. My instinct was to say "Thank you," but I didn't mean it like that. I was just so nervous and overwhelmed.

"Did you mess up with my poor brother?" Zarah asked, amused, as she sat next to Ya Muhammad. I sighed, "I made a mistake." "What kind of mistake?" Zarah pressed. "Zaid told me he loves me, and... well, I just said 'Thank you,' but that wasn't how I wanted it to sound," I explained. Zarah's eyes widened, and she exclaimed, "Why did you say that?"

Ya Muhammad started laughing, and Zarah whispered loudly, "Oh no, why?" I explained that I was nervous and that now Zaid has left. "I need to fix this before he comes back," I said urgently. Zarah asked, "So you do love Zaid?" I nodded shyly. Zarah let out a loud "Aww," and I threw something at her playfully. Ya Muhammad caught it, giving me a stern look while Zarah stuck her tongue out.

I handed Ya Muhammad and Zarah a list of things to get for me. I haven't told anyone yet, but I think I might be pregnant. I plan to confirm it and then tell Zaid. For now, I want to make something special for him. I'm unsure why I brought up the one-year thing; maybe I just wanted to hear him say he wouldn't leave me.

Zaid's POV

When I came back home and couldn't find Nadia, I checked everywhere—her room, the kitchen, the study—without any luck. I tried calling her phone; it rang through but she didn't answer. I returned to her room and noticed a letter on the mirror. I opened it and began to read:

I'm sorry.

I don't know where to start. When you told me you loved me today, I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. I feel awful, but I need to tell you that I'm still in love with Kabir. I know you're still involved with Anisaa too. I can't stay away from him for long. He said he divorced his wife for me, and that's when we started talking again. All the feelings returned, just like in the beginning of our relationship. I know it will kill you to know this, but I love Kabir and I will never love you.

I can't help myself. I hope you finds me well.

My heart shattered into pieces. Why did she do this? She could have told me she was still in love with Kabir, but no, she ran away with him. I felt betrayed and hurt, and I couldn't breathe properly. I smashed the mirror with my fist, breaking it into shards. I destroyed almost everything in the room, my hands bleeding, not knowing what I was doing or feeling.

"Ya Zaid, what's wrong?" Zarah's voice broke through my anguish. "Get out!" I shouted, startling her. Muhammad came in, asking what had happened, but I ignored him. "She ran away with her so-called lover, leaving a letter for me," I said bitterly. Muhammad's disbelief was evident as Zarah said, "Impossible, Nadia loves Ya Zaid."

I locked myself in my room, feeling that if leaving was what Nadia wanted and if it would make her happy, then she could go.

Zarah's POV

Ya Zaid said Nadia ran away, but I didn't believe it. Something was wrong. It's been two days, and he hasn't talked to anyone. Muhammad told me Mami is worried about Nadia, but he lied, saying she was fine and that he had talked to her. Muhammad's people are searching for Nadia, but with no success.

Today, Muhammad and I visited Ya Zaid, trying to make him see that he wasn't handling this well. He had locked himself in his room, and despite our knocking, he didn't answer. We decided to search the house. In the kitchen, I noticed some spoiled vegetables and was reminded of Nadia's comment about cooking something special for her husband. Tears filled my eyes.

"Zarah, come look at this," Muhammad said, holding a letter. I read it repeatedly, not accepting its content. Muhammad, noticing my distress, said, "Enough with the letter. It doesn't seem to have a hidden message." But I wondered if it did.

We analyzed the letter and deciphered a hidden message:
- "Help me"
- "Kabir involved with Anisaa"
- "He said he will kill you"
- "Love you"
- "Can't help myself"
- "Find me"

Horror gripped me. We needed to show this to Ya Zaid.

We knocked on his door, and when he finally opened, we showed him the letter. His face went pale. "I taught her how to write hidden messages and didn't even notice," he said, his voice trembling.

Zaid's POV

As Nadia massaged my hair, she asked, "How do people write hidden messages?" I explained, "By using a special pattern or making words look incorrect."

We checked the CCTV footage and saw Nadia being dragged by Kabir and Anisaa. Ya Zaid went frantic, making calls to inform everyone. Nadia's family and Muhammad were all alerted, searching frantically.

A week later, Ya Zaid barely slept or ate. He looked worn out and unrecognizable. When he got news that Nadia was found, he rushed to the hospital, tears streaming down his face. He found out that Nadia was in the operating room, having suffered internal bleeding and a miscarriage. He was devastated, barely able to stand as Ammi supported him.

Mami, Baba, and Muhammad arrived at the hospital, and the scene was heartbreaking. Mami, distraught, was hospitalized herself. Muhammad and I exchanged sad glances, both feeling the weight of the situation.

Ya Zaid, looking like a different person since Nadia's disappearance, muttered, "I will be in my car," and hurried off to his car. Everyone followed him with heavy hearts.