UNENDING

39- Natural

-ASIYA-

I couldn't contain my excitement as we drove through the winding roads that led back to the village. The familiar sights, the scent of the earth, and the gentle rustle of the leaves brought back a flood of memories. Being back here felt like returning to a place where I was truly seen and understood. I turned to Al-Qasim, who was driving, and smiled, squeezing his hand. He glanced at me with a warm smile, but I could tell he was curious about what had me so animated.

We finally arrived at Inna's house, a cozy, simple place that had always been filled with warmth and love. As we stepped out of the car, I could already see the children running toward us, their faces alight with joy. The mothers followed, their smiles just as bright. I felt a deep sense of belonging as they all gathered around me, hugging and greeting me with an enthusiasm that made my heart swell.

"This is Al-Qasim, my husband," I introduced him with pride, watching as the little girls' eyes widened in admiration. They swarmed around him, giggling and chattering away, fascinated by him. I couldn't help but laugh as he tried to keep up with their endless questions. His usual composed demeanor was replaced with a slightly bewildered expression, but I could see the affection in his eyes as he engaged with them.

Inna emerged from her home, her face lighting up when she saw me. She enveloped me in a hug that felt like a warm blanket on a cold day. "Asiya, it's so good to see you," she said, her voice filled with genuine affection.

"It's good to see you too, Inna," I replied, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. This woman had become so much more than just a friend during my time here; she had become a guiding figure, a source of wisdom and comfort.

After the initial greetings, we all settled down in the small living room. I showed Inna the pictures from our vacation, recounting the wonderful memories we had made. As I told her about the baby, her eyes sparkled with joy.

"Alhamdulillah, this is wonderful news!" she exclaimed, beaming at both of us. Then, with a mischievous glint in her eye, she turned to Al-Qasim. "Why don't you let Asiya stay with me until the baby is due? I'll take good care of her."

Al-Qasim's face paled slightly, and I almost burst out laughing at the expression of panic that crossed his face. He scrambled to find the right words, clearly caught off guard by the suggestion. "Uh, Inna, I appreciate the offer, but—uh, I think Asiya should be at home with me. You know, where I can take care of her."

Inna and I both laughed, and she patted his arm reassuringly. "I'm just teasing, Al-Qasim. She's in good hands with you, I'm sure of it."

As we made our way back home later that evening, the sky painted with the soft hues of dusk, I found myself feeling a mix of contentment and nervousness. The visit had gone well, but there was something I wanted to talk about with Al-Qasim, something that had been on my mind ever since we left the village the last time.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before speaking. "You know, Inna really opened my eyes to a lot of things when I was staying with her."

He glanced at me, a gentle curiosity in his eyes. "Like what?"

I hesitated, unsure of how to broach the subject. "Well... it's hard to explain. When I ran away to the village, I was running from so much. From you, from my past, from everything. I found comfort there, in the simplicity, in the way Inna took care of me without expecting anything in return. It felt like she was... a mother to me, in a way."

I could feel him tense slightly, and I quickly added, "But that doesn't mean I want to replace my mother. I don't think I ever could."

He was quiet for a moment, processing what I had said. "I understand," he finally replied, his voice soft. "It's okay to feel that way, Asiya."