Mafia Captured

7. A World Apart

Sahira woke to an empty space beside her. The storm had relinquished its fury, leaving behind an unsettling quiet. A sliver of pre-dawn light sliced through the darkness, casting long shadows across the room. Arsalan was gone.

Her gaze darted towards the bathroom, but it was empty. A pang of concern flickered in her chest, extinguished by a flutter of anticipation as her eyes landed on the note on the bedside table.

With trembling fingers, she unfolded the note. Sweetheart , it began, an emergency at the hospital. Had to rush in. But be ready, my love, for lunch at a fancy restaurant after I'm done.

A slow smile spread across Sahira's lips. Memories of the previous night washed over her, bringing a heat to her cheeks that rivaled the blush of dawn. His touch, his warmth, his love - they all lingered, a sweet aftertaste. Last night, he had been so gentle, so tender, as if she were a delicate porcelain doll, one wrong touch threatening to shatter her into a million pieces.

"I love you, Arsalan," she whispered shyly, burying her face in her hands.

She freshened up , took a nice warm bath and prayed the fajr salah. After praying salah, she went back to sleep again.The second time Sahira woke, a jolt of panic surged through her. Eight o'clock glared back at her from the bedside table. She was late, hopelessly late for university. Throwing off the covers, she dashed for the bathroom, grabbing her essentials on the way.

Mary's gentle voice calling after her about breakfast went unheeded. Sahira would grab something from the university canteen, a familiar routine under time pressure.

Hurriedly, she slipped into her hijab and abaya and rushed outside. Sliding into the backseat of the car, she met Samaira's gaze in the rearview mirror.

"Samaira, please drive fast," Sahira pleaded, her voice breathless.

Samaira, a woman weathered by life but with eyes that still held a quiet kindness, nodded sympathetically. At forty, she had become a pillar of support for the household after her husband's passing. He used to be the one behind the wheel, but now, Samaira steered them wherever the woman of the house needed to go somewhere.

Despite the age difference, an unlikely friendship had blossomed between Sahira and Samaira. A soft smile played on Samaira's lips. "Sahira, is everything alright? You look radiant today, like you're glowing."

Sahira felt a familiar warmth creep up her cheeks, the memories of last night a secret smile playing behind her eyes.

"It's nothing like that," Sahira mumbled, flustered by Samaira's perceptive gaze.

Samaira chuckled knowingly. "There's definitely something. A secret smile you can't quite hide. Allahumma barik alaihi," she said, her voice warm with sincerity. "May Allah protect your happiness from the evil eye."

"Everyone will be back home by tomorrow, inshallah. I've been so bored staying home alone,," Sahira offered quickly, the excuse tasting faintly like guilt on her tongue. Arsalan's message was a secret she wasn't ready to share yet. "How are the kids' studies going, by the way?" she asked, expertly steering the conversation.

A chime from her phone sliced through the air. Sahira's heart skipped a beat as she unlocked it, a flicker of anticipation dancing in her eyes. A message from Arsalan. Just a peek, she thought, unable to resist.

Her lips curved into a secret smile as she began to read.

"Can't stop thinking about you already. Missing your smile like crazy! Are you missing me too?"

Sahira didn't reply neither , seen it. She didn't know what to reply him. She just kept blushing.

After class, Sahira practically skipped to the canteen.She opted for her usual vegan meal and joined her friends at their table. Sarah, Mariam, Genelle, and Sandy greeted her with a chorus of hellos.