Love's Gentle Embrace

The Promise between Grandfathers

Ruhaan sat quietly beside Noor, his gaze locked onto her peaceful, sleeping form. The delicate curve of her face softened under the dim light, and his eyes were drawn to the feature that had always captivated him the most—her eyes. Even though they were closed now, her long, dark lashes cast soft shadows across her cheeks, enhancing her beauty. It was always her eyes that held him; they were windows to her soul, filled with depth and unspoken emotions. And even now, with her lashes resting gently against her skin, they mesmerized him.

A heavy ache spread through his chest as he watched her, feeling her pain echo within him. He wanted so desperately to hold her, to wrap her in his arms and let her find the peace she needed. He knew, deep down, that she could find that peace in him, just as he found his own solace simply by looking at her.

She didn't know it yet, but he would be her strength, her comfort, if she allowed it. His eyes shifted to the night sky visible through the small window, the stars scattered like distant prayers. Silently, he whispered into the night, "Ya Allah, help her. Give her sabr to overcome this pain, to heal from everything she's carrying. We are now bound in Nikah, and I want to thank You for bringing us together. I want to hold her hand and walk this journey with her. But I will not force her. I will give her the time she needs, to process, to understand, to come to me in her own time." 

His heart was heavy, but his faith was unwavering. Ruhaan closed his eyes and prayed for strength—for himself, to be patient, to support her, and to honor this bond. "Give me sabr too, Ya Allah. I will wait for her. And when she is ready, I will be here, by her side, always."

After some time, as Ruhaan felt a little lighter following his heartfelt conversation with Allah, he turned back to Noor. A gentle breeze slipped through the window, causing a few strands of her hair to fall across her face. In the dim light, the sight was almost ethereal, and Ruhaan couldn't help but be captivated. He instinctively reached out, his fingers brushing against the stray hairs, trying to move them aside.

But the soft touch stirred Noor from her sleep. Startled, she woke with a slight jolt, her eyes widening in surprise as they landed on Ruhaan. She quickly sat up, her mind racing to process the moment.

After a few moments of silence, Noor, still taken aback, looked at Ruhaan and asked, her voice filled with confusion, her words in soft Urdu:

Noor: "Aap yahan? Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?"
(You're here? What are you doing here?)

Ruhaan hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words, his own emotions swirling. He finally responded, his voice gentle, yet firm:

Ruhaan: "Kuch nahi, bas Allah ka shukriya ada kar raha tha mujhe mere naseeb se milwane ke liye." (Nothing, I was just thanking Allah for bringing me to my destiny.)

The word "naseeb" (Destiny) lingered in the air, and as soon as Noor heard it, her eyes instinctively locked with Ruhaan's. There was a depth in his words that struck something within her. After a brief moment of contemplation, she finally spoke, her voice soft but firm:

Noor: "Ruhaan... Mere dil aur dimaag mein bohot kuch chal raha hai. Mujhe thoda waqt chahiye." (Ruhaan... There's a lot on my mind. I need some time.)

Ruhaan, though his heart was heavy, managed to exhale with a sense of relief. He had expected this, but hearing it from her was still not easy. Yet, his voice remained calm and understanding as he responded, his tone a blend of heaviness and reassurance:

Ruhaan: "Koi baat nahi, Noor. Aap apna waqt lele. Main hamesha aapke saath hoon, har pal mein. Main intezar karunga. Mujhe intezar qubool hai." (No problem, Noor. Take your time. I'll always be with you, in every moment. I will wait for you. Waiting is something I accept wholeheartedly.)