Married To A Captain

Chapter 27

Juma'at Mubarak✨
May Allah grant the souls of our loved ones Rahama🤲

"I'm Akram, by the way," he said, after taking a seat.

"Fatima," she replied. They began talking, and at first, Fatima found the conversation pleasant. But as time went on, she started to feel uncomfortable with Akram's persistent questions and intense gaze.

"Here, take my card," Akram said, pulling out a business card and handing it to her.

"Um, okay," Fatima said, taking the card hesitantly.

"You should call me sometime," he insisted, leaning closer. "I don't think that's necessary," she replied, trying to be polite.

"Come on, just keep it," Akram said, pushing the card into her hand. Fatima's discomfort grew. "Really, I don't need it," she said firmly.

"Just take it," he said more forcefully, his eyes hardening. Realizing he wouldn't let her go otherwise, Fatima reluctantly took the card.

"Thanks," she said quickly, standing up to leave. "You're welcome," he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Have a great day."

Fatima hurried out of the café, her heart pounding.

It's been days since she last saw Muhammad, and Fatima had gotten the hang of things at school. But for some reason, today she felt unusually anxious and worried. She kept muttering her azkar under her breath.

"Subhanallah... Alhamdulillah... La ilaha illallah..." she repeated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her scarf. She glanced at her phone and saw a message. "Important lecture today. Attendance mandatory."

She sighed and muttered, "I can't miss this. I really can't." Fatima reluctantly got dressed and made her way outside, her heart pounding. She opened the car door and slid into the backseat, her movements tense and jittery.

"Good morning,  ma'am ," the driver greeted her, noting her pale face. "Are you alright?" "I'm fine, thank you," she replied, her voice wavering slightly. "Let's just get to school, please."

As the car started moving, Fatima couldn't shake the feeling of unease. She stared out the window, her fingers tapping nervously on her lap. She resumed muttering her azkar, her eyes darting around as if expecting something to happen.

The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Is everything okay, ma'am ? You seem a bit... tense." Fatima forced a smile. "Just a bit anxious today. I'll be fine."

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

Fatima was staring out the window, her mind racing. The driver turned onto a main road, and suddenly, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. A car from the opposite direction was speeding towards them.

"Watch out!" she screamed, her heart pounding in her chest.

The driver tried to swerve, but it was too late. The cars collided with a deafening crash. Fatima felt the impact throw her forward, her seatbelt digging into her chest. Glass shattered, and she hit her head against the window.

Pain exploded in her head, and the world spun around her. The car skidded to a stop, smoke rising from the engine. Fatima's vision blurred as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. Her ears rang, and her whole body ached.

She tried to move, but pain shot through her side. With trembling hands, she fumbled for her phone and dialed Muhammad's number. He picked up almost immediately.

"Fatima?" he said, concern evident in his voice.

"Help..." she whispered weakly before the phone slipped from her hand and the call was cut off.