𝐴 𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑤 𝐴𝑡 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛

𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛

'Don't grieve too long, anything you lose comes round in another form'.
~Rumi.

Rahma fiddled with the hem of her shirt inside her hijab as she sat before her father, knowing very well what conversation they were going to have.

"How are you feeling?". He asked after moments of silence.

"Alhamdulillah, I'm better". He didn't speak for a while and she felt the silence eating at her.

"What happened yesterday was not expected.. or a good thing". He started but then silence again. And she guessed maybe he was waiting for her to speak.

"I'll take safety precautions Baba". She said quietly and when she looked at him, he had an amused smile on his face.

"Like?".

"I already don't go out much, so when I do I'll not stay out late". He was quiet again.

"The thing with stupid people is that they don't know when to stop. It is difficult for them to have sense. That is the condition of that useless boy". She had never heard her father use abusive words,aa ever.

"It doesn't matter whether it is day or night". She nodded in understanding.

"Rahma, I don't want him tainting your dignity or integrity. He has done enough and I don't want you to hurt again". He said gently.

"I know the past years have been hard, life has been hard for you, but it can get better, it will. You need someone who can protect you". She looked up at him. What is he insinuating?

"I know I said we won't force you, and yes I'm not forcing you. I'm going to give you an advice as your father,". He paused to lean forward.

"He cannot come close to you when you are married. You will have someone to protect you. Your brother's are busy, sudais is getting married and Hisham is working and starting his life. You won't be comfortable if I get a bodyguard for you. But your husband?, he will not let someone come close to his wife, he won't let an idiot trample on your dignity". She didn't want to believe him but every part of her knows it is the truth.

"Well, I don't have a suitor". She said and her father smiled knowing she gave in.

"Sudais was telling me about someone that met him". She looked up at him and the smile on his face told her he knew exactly who it was and perhaps hameeda had blabbered her mouth to their mother's who in turn told their husband about her crush. She sighed and looked down at her laps.

"I'll talk with sudais later. I heard you are taking care of his wedding preparations? How is everything".

"Good, we're just getting started". He nodded and then he asked about her business and they spent the morning discussing her plans.

Later, she was getting ready to go out on their planned outing. She and halima went out together and since rukayya's house was closer, they stopped to pick her up first and then went over to hafsah's. The lady had a basket prepared saying they were things she knew she'd crave.

They made their way to the agent's office and lucky for them, he had his car, so they went to the place. Though he said all the options were in the same area.

They had checked out three places, two were in malls and the last was a stand alone. They had already taken the third one when halima suggested they still check out the last one. It was away from the rest, and when they stepped into the building Rahma could already picture the café in it's complete element.

It was in a busy area, a district were many offices and businesses were located. Making business easy for her as surely workers would stop by for a quick breakfast or lunch break. It was perfect and after a video call with hameeda and she rambled about how it was perfect and she had the perfect design for it. She paid the first deposit of rent and signed the necessary documents and the agent went his way.