WINNER OF HEART♡

◇part 12◇

"Raminah, tell me what happened?" Janan asked, her voice soft yet filled with concern. Ramin's breathing grew heavy, his chest rising and falling with the weight of an unseen burden. He struggled to form the words, his voice breaking as he finally managed to speak. "The... but...terfly... save me Jan," he stammered, his face contorted in fear.

Janan reached out, her fingers gently brushing against the delicate wings of the butterfly resting on his leg. It fluttered away into the air as she whispered, her tone calm and soothing, "Ramin, look at me." His tear-filled eyes lifted to hers, desperation etched into his features as the tears continued to fall. She could feel her own throat tightening with emotion, but she held steady for him. "Shhh, don't cry," she murmured, her voice a tender balm. "It’s gone now... hmm?"

But inside, Janan’s heart clenched. Watching him break down like this, knowing she couldn’t take away his pain, was almost unbearable. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she kept her voice steady. "Ramin, stop crying now," she urged gently, though her own emotions threatened to overwhelm her.

Ramin still looked shaken, his hand pressed against his chest, rubbing it as if trying to calm his racing heart. Janan watched him intently, fighting her own urge to break down alongside him. She couldn’t – not now. She had to comfort him.

After what felt like an eternity, Ramin's breathing began to slow, the tremor in his body easing. Janan took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Then, in a soft voice, she asked, "Why are you so afraid of butterflies, Ramin?"

Ramin swallowed hard, as though the memory itself was difficult to speak of. "When I was a child," he began, his voice low, "some of my friends... they put a butterfly in my pants." His gaze fell to the floor, shame creeping into his posture.

Janan’s heart ached for him. She reached out and gently touched his arm, her voice full of warmth and reassurance. "Oh, Min," she said, using the name she reserved for these tender moments. "Don’t be embarrassed, My brave Ramin, my strong man," she whispered. "You’ve endured this, and you’ve come through it. You don’t need to worry anymore. Your Janan will always protect you from those butterflies, hmm?"

Ramin’s lips trembled into a weak smile, though pain still lingered in his eyes. "You’ll save me?" he asked softly, his voice raw. "I trust that."

Janan returned his smile, her heart swelling with love. "Always," she promised. "Now come on, let’s have breakfast."

He nodded, the tension in his body finally easing as they stood up and made their way inside.

After breakfast, Janan retreated to her room, seeking solace on the balcony where the cool breeze played with the edges of her hijab. She picked up an Islamic book, her mind wandering as she read. A sudden smile brightened her face when she came across a particular passage: "Musa (as) didn’t know that Allah was going to split the sea for him, but he trusted Allah, and Allah split the sea for him."

Her heart lifted, her smile widening. She raised her eyes toward the sky, her lips forming a silent prayer. "Ya Rab, this servant has entrusted you with her most beloved thing. Just as you split the sea for Musa (as), help me too. Only You can."

The sky seemed to hold its breath, the air around her thick with the weight of her words. She felt a deep sense of peace settle over her heart, knowing that her trust was in the One who never fails.

Janan’s phone rang, interrupting her peaceful moment on the balcony. She glanced at the screen and saw her mother’s name flashing. With a soft smile, she answered, “Assalam Alaikum, Maa.”

“Wa Alaikum Assalam, my baby,” her mother’s warm voice greeted her.

“Janan, your father is coming tomorrow. Try to be home before he arrives, hmm?”