Love's Gentle Embrace

Tears in the Sanctuary: A Love Unspoken

In the stillness of the night, after burying Mr. Suleman, the air hung heavy with grief. Inside the house, the men had returned from the graveyard, and the atmosphere buzzed with murmurs from the guests who had come to pay their respects. Yet amidst all the noise and movement, Ruhaan's mind was elsewhere. His eyes scanned the room, searching for Noor, but she was nowhere to be found.

His heart began to race. Something felt wrong, and the weight of the moment filled him with dread. He stood on the edge of the living room, trying to remain composed while keeping his thoughts from spiraling. Where could she be? Is she alright?Just then, out of the corner of his eye, Ruhaan spotted Shaan approaching. The calm on Shaan's face contrasted with the storm inside Ruhaan. It was clear from the look in his eyes that Shaan had already guessed what was troubling him.

"I know you're searching for Noor," Shaan said, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "And I know where she is."Ruhaan let out a breath, feeling a slight relief knowing that at least Shaan knew her whereabouts. But Shaan's expression gave him pause, as if there was more to this moment than just Noor's location."I think you should give her a little time," Shaan continued, glancing at the floor as if choosing his words carefully. "She needs to process everything. Nanajaan (referring to Mr. Suleman) meant the world to her, and this... it's not easy. She'll need her space."Ruhaan's heart clenched at the mention of her pain. 

He knew how close she had been to her Nanu, how much his passing would devastate her. And yet, there was something in Shaan's tone that made him feel as though there was more to it. He knew that her grief wasn't something he could simply fix, but how could he stay away?

"I understand what you're saying, Mr. Shaan," Ruhaan replied, his voice calm but firm, locking eyes with him. "But I'm her Naseeb now. I know she's hurting, but I want to share this burden with her. Please, tell me where she is?"

Shaan hesitated, looking at Ruhaan deeply, as though weighing the sincerity in his words. There was a flicker of something behind his eyes—pain, perhaps acceptance, maybe even relief. "You really do care for her," Shaan murmured, half to himself. He smiled faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm glad Nanajaan chose you as her partner.

"Ruhaan could hear the layers of emotion in Shaan's voice—the admiration for Noor, the acceptance of a fate that now bound her to someone else. It dawned on Ruhaan in that moment that Shaan was not only a cousin, but someone who had seen Noor through the years, someone who deeply understood her spirit. Shaan let out a sigh, finally speaking, "She deserves someone strong by her side, someone who'll protect her without suffocating her. I thank Allah for making you the one."

Ruhaan felt a pang in his chest at Shaan's words, but he remained silent, knowing that Shaan was holding back something more. After a pause, Shaan's face softened, the weight of his heart heavy in his words. "You'll find her in the backyard, at the old library. It's where she and Nanajaan used to spend a lot of time together. That place holds their memories."Ruhaan's heart squeezed as he listened. The backyard... the library. He could picture it in his mind. A place so special, so personal to Noor and her relationship with Mr. Suleman. And now she was there, alone, holding onto the threads of her memories with him. 

In the gentle embrace of the evening, Noor wandered into the library nestled in the backyard. This place held a sacred charm, not just for the vast collection of books but for the warmth of her Nanu's love that was weaved into every corner. Noor's feet instinctively carried her to the corner, the special nook her Nanu had crafted just for her. It was her sanctuary, a place that exuded peace.

Her corner was a cozy sunken sitting area, adorned with a handwoven mat and plush cushions that welcomed her every time. Above, a delicate tent draped over the space, adorned with soft, twinkling artificial lights that glowed like stars, mingling with colorful flowers, making the area feel like an enchanting hideaway. The study table was stacked with her favorite books, and beside them, her Nanu had left little treasures—her favorite snacks and chocolates, as though he had known she would need comfort today.

Noor gently touched the cushions, feeling the fabric beneath her fingers, and her heart ached with a deep longing. Memories flooded her mind, each one painted with her Nanu's kindness. She remembered how he would sit beside her while she read, often reading aloud the words she couldn't quite understand when she was younger. His voice, calm and reassuring, always filled her with hope. He had created this corner for her so she would always have a space to feel safe, to dream, and to escape from the world when it became too heavy.

But today, that corner felt different. It was as if the love that had once filled this space now magnified her pain. Noor knelt down, her fingers trembling as they traced the edges of the mat, the tears she had been holding back spilling over. The weight of her grief overwhelmed her, and she cried, unable to stop. She wept for all the moments she could no longer share with her Nanu, for the love she lost, and for the confusion swirling in her heart. Her sobs echoed softly in the quiet library, and, in the midst of her tears, she drifted into a restless sleep, feeling as though Allah was comforting her, cradling her into peace. The storm of emotions seemed to ease as she lay there, oblivious to everything around her, as though Allah Himself had swept away her pain, allowing her to rest.

Meanwhile, Ruhaan entered the library with quiet footsteps, drawn by a feeling he couldn't quite explain. The medium-sized room felt enormous as he walked through it, the shelves filled with all kinds of books. He had been searching for Noor, but something pulled him towards the very back, to the place where he sensed she would be. His heart, which usually beat with calm certainty, quickened as he approached her special corner.

When his eyes found her, his steps faltered. There she was, curled up like a lost child in her sanctuary, her cheeks still wet from tears. The sight broke something inside him. His usual composed demeanor cracked, and a small, painful smile tugged at his lips. Ruhaan's heart shattered into pieces as he watched her, seeing her so vulnerable and lost. He had always admired her strength, her spirit, but now, looking at her so defeated, something stirred in him—an ache, deep and raw.

He couldn't stop the tear that rolled down his cheek, a silent witness to his own heartache. In that moment, he realized that his pain was not just for Noor, but for the bond they seemed to share, a bond that words hadn't yet defined. Standing there, with his tear mixing into the quiet atmosphere of the library, Ruhaan vowed to be there for her, to shield her, even if from afar. He couldn't bear to see her like this and do nothing. He wiped the tear from his face, but the weight of that moment settled deep within him.

The library, once filled with warmth and stories, now echoed with the silent promises of broken hearts and unspoken love.