fated hearts

chapter 19

Asiya slept before Ya Mariya left, leaving Muhsin asleep on the couch as he was when she came in. She woke around 6 PM, du'a on her lips. After praying Maghrib, she read the Qur'an until Isha. As she stood by the vanity, an invitation for a drift competition tonight caught her eye. She had never drifted at night, but the thought of it was tempting. She needed to get a lot off her mind.

Muhsin entered the room, trying to touch her. She resisted, but he did what he always did and left her there. Tears streamed down her face as she showered. She dressed quickly, picking up the keys to her Nissan 350Z. Muhsin had bought the car when he realized her love for drifting. He was never stingy with gifts and money, but she didn't care. He could never earn her love. He took what he wanted from her without asking or caring.

At the drifting circuit, the atmosphere was charged with excitement. Asiya, disguised in her usual black shades, cap, and face mask, pulled up. Her car, identified by the plate "Sia," was a familiar sight. No one knew her true identity.

Tonight, there was a new competitor driving a Nissan Skyline GT-R R33. He was good-very good. For the first time in four years, Asiya faced a serious challenge. The competition was fierce, each maneuver met with a counter-maneuver. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the two cars battled it out, drifting with unmatched precision.

Asiya's heart raced. This was what she needed, a distraction from the torment of her life with Muhsin. She focused on every turn, every drift, pushing her car to its limits. The final moments of the race were intense. She managed to pull ahead just enough to cross the finish line first.

She didn't wait for the cheers or applause. As always, she drove away immediately, not wanting to reveal her identity.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim, the driver of the Nissan Skyline GT-R R33, sat in his car, catching his breath. He had come to the circuit to clear his mind. Seeing Asiya that afternoon had shaken him to his core. He had been trying to get updates on her from Khadija, learning about her niece Layla and her son Muhammad. He couldn't picture Asiya with a son until he saw them together today.

The race had been exhilarating, but it left him with a burning curiosity. The driver known as "Sia" had almost beaten him. Ibrahim decided to frequent circuit, hoping for another chance to face her and perhaps uncover her identity.

Asiya drove home, her adrenaline still pumping. She parked, removed her shades, cap, and mask, and took a deep breath. The race had provided a brief escape, but the reality of her life with Muhsin was ever-present.

Entering the house quietly, she avoided Muhsin and went to her room. Sitting on the bed, she reflected on the competition and the skilled driver who had nearly bested her. She couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had happened tonight.

Thoughts of Ibrahim flooded her mind. The love they once shared still lingered, giving her the strength to endure. She vowed to find a way to survive, to protect Muhammad, and to one day find the freedom she so desperately craved.