Self love

8

Chapter 8
Amina couldn't shake the feeling of optimism as she navigated her daily routine. Her conversation with her father had lifted a heavy weight off her shoulders, and her bond with Zayd seemed stronger than ever. Still, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead.

That evening, as Amina was settling in with a book, her phone buzzed with a message from Zayd. "Can we meet? There's something important I need to tell you."

Her heart skipped a beat. Their last conversation had been filled with hope and plans for the future, but Zayd's tone now seemed urgent. "Of course. Where should we meet?" she replied.

"Let's meet at the park near your place in an hour," Zayd suggested.

Amina quickly changed into a comfortable yet modest outfit and made her way to the park. The evening air was cool, and the sounds of children playing and the rustling of leaves created a serene atmosphere. She spotted Zayd waiting by a bench, his expression serious yet calm.

"Zayd, is everything alright?" she asked as she approached him.

Zayd offered a small smile. "Yes, Amina. I just wanted to talk to you about something important."

They sat down, and Zayd took a deep breath. "Amina, you know how much I care about you and our relationship. There's something from my past that I need to share with you. It's not easy for me, but I believe in honesty and transparency between us."

Amina's heart raced. "Zayd, you can tell me anything. I'm here for you."

Zayd nodded, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "Before I met you, I was engaged to someone else. Her name was Leila, and we were planning to get married. But things didn't work out, and she broke off the engagement. It was a difficult time for me, and it took me a while to move on."

Amina listened, her mind processing this new information. "Zayd, thank you for telling me. It must have been hard for you to go through that."

"It was," Zayd admitted. "But meeting you has been a blessing. You've brought so much joy and meaning into my life. I didn't want to hide this from you because I believe in starting our future with a clean slate."

Amina reached out and gently placed her hand on her other hand, feeling a sense of solidarity and understanding. "I appreciate your honesty, Zayd. We all have pasts, and what matters is how we move forward together. I'm here for you, just as you've been here for me."

Zayd's eyes softened with gratitude. "Thank you, Amina. Your support means everything to me."

As they continued talking, Amina felt a renewed sense of trust and connection. They walked through the park, discussing their hopes and dreams, and by the end of the evening, Amina felt even more certain about their future together.

As the sun set, casting a golden hue over the park, the call to prayer resonated through the air. Zayd and Amina found a quiet spot under a large tree. They performed wudu (ablution) with water they had brought, preparing themselves for Maghrib prayer.

Side by side, they laid out their prayer mats which Zayd brought out from his car, and faced the Qibla. The rhythmic motions and recitations brought a sense of peace and connection. As Amina prayed, she felt a deep sense of gratitude for the support and love she had found in Zayd.

After their prayer, they sat quietly for a few moments, letting the tranquility of the evening wash over them. It was a moment of spiritual connection that added a new dimension to their relationship.

However, as they were about to part ways, Zayd hesitated, his expression growing serious again. "Amina, there's something else. I didn't want to overwhelm you, but I feel you should know."

Amina's curiosity was piqued. "What is it, Zayd?"

He took a deep breath, looking into her eyes. "Leila... she recently got back in touch with me. She said she wants to meet and talk. I haven't responded yet because I wanted to discuss it with you first."

Amina felt a pang of anxiety but appreciated Zayd's openness. "I see. What do you think she wants?"

"I'm not sure," Zayd admitted. "But I felt it was important to be transparent with you. I don't want anything to come between us."

Amina thought for a moment, then nodded. "Thank you for telling me, Zayd. I trust you to handle this with wisdom. Just keep me informed, okay?"

"Of course," Zayd said, relief evident in his voice. "We're in this together, Amina."

As they said their goodbyes, Amina felt a mix of emotions. The revelation about Leila added a new layer of complexity to their relationship, but she trusted Zayd and believed in their bond.

Walking back to her apartment, Amina couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity and anticipation. What did Leila want? How would this affect her and Zayd's relationship? The questions swirled in her mind, making her eager to face whatever came next with strength and confidence.

Amina looked up at the night sky, feeling a renewed sense of determination. No matter what challenges lay ahead, she was ready to face them head-on, with Zayd by her side.

Leila??? I would say don't trust Zayd too much. What do u all think about Zayd?