aab e hayat ( English version)

chapter no 41

"Hello, back in the USA, the words on her phone screen early in the morning, along with the sender's name, startled Reisah for a few moments. Despite expecting him to reach out after returning, nothing had happened between them that would require them to hide from each other. 

While sending the 'Welcome back' text, Reisah once again reminded herself not to take this first breakup to heart, something she needed to constantly remind herself of. The fear wasn't completely gone, but it had diminished, pausing for a little while.

'Are you going to university?' After she got out of the shower, she saw Hasham's next text. Trying to push him out of her mind, she replied with a simple 'Yes'. 'Shall we meet?' The next text came immediately. She stared at the question shining on her phone screen while eating cornflakes. She wanted to say yes. 

How now? But she typed, 'No, I'm busy.' The cornflakes got stuck in her throat; she didn't want to face him now. Despite all her efforts to keep it together, seeing him was still the hardest thing. She didn't want to become the typical girl—complaining, arguing, or crying in front of him. He hadn't gone to Bahrain to break up with her, after all.

A mocking image popped up in response on her phone as if making fun of her excuse. Reisah ignored it and sent no reply. Fifteen minutes later, she found him outside her apartment in his car. He had probably been texting her from there, otherwise, he couldn't have arrived so quickly.

 He liked surprising her, and she liked receiving those surprises—but that was a few days ago. Today, she walked toward him without him asking her to. They exchanged welcoming smiles when they saw each other, exchanged pleasantries, and then Reisah said, 'I need to go to university today. I have work.'

Hasham responded, 'I'll drop you off, and we'll catch up on the way. It's been a while since we talked.' Reisah avoided his gaze. Without saying more, she opened the car door and got in. 'What's going on?' Hasham asked with deep seriousness as he sat in the driver's seat and turned toward her.

'What?' Reisah pretended not to understand. 'That I'm unhappy and heartbroken because you led me on with hopes, only to bring another girl into your life.' None of this could be said aloud by Reisah. 'Is your mood off?' he asked seriously.

'No, why would it be?' Reisah replied, looking directly into his eyes. 'I don't know, that's what I'm trying to find out,' he said, confused. 'You've been completely absent from my life for days, trying to reach me from Bahrain, but I didn't take your calls or respond to your messages... What happened?'

'What do you think could be the reason for my behavior?' Reisah asked in return.

'I don't know,' Hasham said after a brief silence.

'I want to end this,' Reisah told him. He was shocked and stared at her before shaking his head. 'So, I guessed right—your mood is off.'

Instead of responding, Reisah took out the small box containing her ring from her bag and placed it on the dashboard. Hasham said nothing. There was silence in the car until Hasham finally spoke: 'You read the engagement news?'

'I suspected it, so I wasn't surprised,' Reisah said in the calm, composed tone she was always known for. 'I committed to you, Reisah, and I won't break it. A piece of news in the papers can't be a wall between us. This bond isn't that weak,' Hasham continued earnestly.

'It's not about the papers, Hasham. It's about your family's decision. You're now the heir. Your responsibilities and the expectations placed upon you have changed,' she responded. Hasham laughed at her words.

'Heir... I haven't even figured out my role yet, nor do I know if I'm fit for this position. This is power politics. Where we stand today, there's no certainty we'll even be there tomorrow. If it were up to me, I'd never have taken this title, but it's my father's wish,' he said seriously.