Better Late Than Never

45

Ayman exited the fabric room first.

Leaving the room alone was something he hadn't planned on doing but Ayra had asked for one more minute to get herself back together and that was something he couldn't deny her. He had promised to patient and understanding after all.

He let out a relieved breath at the sight of the empty lounge and then proceeded to his office, stopping when he saw Aneesa angrily pace the length between his office and Ayra's. As though she sensed him, Aneesa turned her head his way and then she was storming in his direction.

She stopped right in front of him, her brown eyes ablaze and a flush on her cheeks. She put her hands on her hips. "Tell me Zahra Ahmad didn't come here to ask that you two get back together. If she did, just let me know so I can catch up with the taxi she just left with and give her a piece of my mind. The audacity!"

Ayman shouldn't have smiled but with all the morning had brought along with it, it was impossible not to. His hands went to their usual spot; the deep pockets of his thobe and his heart soared even more.

"There won't be any need to catch up with her. Just let her go. I killed any hopes she had so..."

Aneesa scoffed and then forced out a breath. "She's insane! She does all that she did back then and expects that you take her back with open arms? Then she comes to the main block to 'say hi'?! Since when did we do that?"

Ayman's smile dimmed, his feelings dampening. "Aneesa, let's not talk about her. We've been fine all this time and we'll be fine after now In Shaa Allah."

It was slow but she relaxed and he waited, patient as ever. Much calmer, she folded her arms and sighed. "Are you okay?"

His smile returned to its beautiful glory and he nodded. "I am."

Aneesa's eyes narrowed and she took him in properly, her eyes narrowing further when his smile widened. "Ayman, why on earth are you –?" A piece sliding into place in her mind had her eyes widening. She took a step forward, forcing back a gasp. "Did you and Ayra...?"

Ayman's reaction was enough of an answer; colour staining his cheeks, the sheepish tint his smile took on, and the way he beautifully and bashfully lowered his head. Aneesa brought her hands to her mouth, gasping loudly. "Ayman!" She was going to jump in joy. It was only a matter of when. "Ayman, are you serious? You two are together? Really?"

Ayman wanted to melt. He raised his head, his eyes meeting hers again. "We just got confessions out of the way but..." He nodded slowly, disbelief holding him in its embrace. His cheeks got even darker. "I guess we are."

Aneesa bounced on her feet. "Did Zahra's appearance have anything to do with all of it? Did Ayra feel scared to lose you and all?" She didn't even allow him speak. She swooned. "So this is what the romance books and movies talk about. Allahumma baarik."

Unable to help it, Ayman laughed. "Aneesa, stop it."

"I can't." Her smile was wide enough to split her face in two. "You have to tell me everything."

"I will, eventually. I just –" He reached up to rub the back of his neck. "I just need a moment, or even a few hours, to wrap my head around everything and then we can talk. Last week was a lot and this week began with Zahra and now..."

He sighed, his hand dropping to his side. "But what you should know is that Ayra and I feel the same way towards each other and we'll sort out what needs to be sorted out but for now, the feelings are out there and we're not taking them back. And no, Zahra didn't instigate Ayra's confession. She'd wanted to talk to me before Zahra arrived but the way everything played out was completely different from what she'd planned."