Taste of unwavering Faith

Prologue

As I waited alone at the airport for my flight to a new city, excitement mingled with a deep sense of unease. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios; getting lost, failing to make a good impression, or not meeting expectations. Despite my efforts to stay positive and prepare for every possibility, my anxieties were creeping in, turning what should be a fresh start into a source of stress. It felt like my fears were already shaping my new beginning before it even began.

“I can’t be with you, Aliya. My father forced this on me, but I can’t go through with it anymore.”

I didn’t look at him. The ache in my stomach twisted tighter. I never loved him, but I never thought my fiancé would leave me on our wedding day either. The fallout from this would be unbearable.

“Leave now before they come. I won’t lie for you,” I snapped, my voice sharp and bitter. “I don’t want to be humiliated any more than I already am.”

“Aliya, don’t be an—”

“Don’t you dare try to comfort me,” I cut him off, refusing to face him. But he reached out, gripping my shoulders, and turned me to meet his gaze.

It took everything in me not to slap him. “You don’t even love me, Zay. So why do you care if I’m angry?”

He looked pained, as if my hurt surprised him. “I never wanted this marriage either, Aliya. I was ready to fight for my choice. But I didn’t know where I stood with Maria.”

“Maria? The same Maria who had her engagement party yesterday?” I asked, my voice thick with disbelief.

“She’s not going through with it. She’ll leave him for me, just like I’m leaving you.”

His words stung. “You could have said this before today, before dragging me into this farce,” I spat, stepping away. His presence was suffocating.

The door slammed open, cutting through the tension. My father stormed in, eyes blazing with fury. “How dare you speak to your husband like that, Aliya?”

“He’s not my husband,” I shot back, my voice trembling. But my father’s glare pinned me in place.

“I didn’t raise you to be a disgrace, calling off a wedding on the wedding day.”

My eyes flicked to Zay, standing beside me as if we were still bound together. But at that moment, it was clear— I was alone.

--

I let out a frustrated huff, regretting how easily I fell back into old thoughts. I promised myself I wouldn’t dwell on why I was left at the altar, but right now, it felt like my only problem worth focusing on.

Hearing my flight being called, I grabbed my handbag and headed to the boarding line. With only two people in front of me, I was relieved to see the airport wasn’t too crowded—though I don’t travel often, it was less packed than usual.

After retrieving my luggage without issue, I sighed in relief. I had feared I might be sent to Lost and Found, a problem I’d faced before at Heathrow. As I stepped outside, a cold breeze hit me. The roads were wet, and the sky was overcast. I pulled my coat tighter and walked away from the bustling crowd, rifling through my coat pockets for the sticky note with my brother’s address.

“Hello, ma’am. Where to?” asked a taxi driver. I gave him the address and settled into the car.

“That’ll be £56,” he said, pointing to the meter. My heart sank as I pulled out a £100 note—the only cash I had. I handed it over, waiting for my change.