Love's Gentle Embrace

The Prayers for Future

As Saba gave Noor a kind, comforting hug and left the terrace, Noor stood still, her heart heavy with the weight of the truth she had just heard. The evening breeze touched her face, and with teary eyes, she looked up at the vast sky, feeling the presence of something greater than her pain. She closed her eyes, and in the silence of the moment, she began a conversation with Allah, her heart pouring out in prayers in soft voice but hearable.

Her voice trembled, her soul heavy with the confusion that still lingered. 

"You know what's in my heart, Ya Rabb. You know the depth of my love for Shaan bhai, the unspoken feelings that I've carried for so long. And now, this path you've set before me... I'm scared. Scared that I might never love Ruhaan the way a wife should love her husband."

She wiped her tears, her heart aching with uncertainty. 

"Ya Allah, guide me to love Ruhaan with my whole heart, not for the sake of this world, but for the sake of You. For the sake of the promise I will make before You. Help me love him the way I once loved, with all my being, with sincerity, with devotion. Let my heart be pure in this new chapter of my life, even if it takes time."

The sky seemed to listen as Noor's voice broke with emotion, her plea to Allah filled with both hope and hesitation.

"I don't know what Your plans are, Allah, but I submit to them. I know You know what is best for me, even when I cannot see the wisdom behind it. Please make this path easier for me. With the blessings of my Nanu and the prayers of my family, please bring peace to my heart."

A soft breeze carried her words into the night, as if the heavens themselves were listening. 

"But Allah, I still need time. My heart is not ready yet. Help me be patient, guide me, and let me heal at Your pace. Please, Ya Rabb, give me the strength to walk this path with dignity, with trust in Your wisdom, and with hope in my heart for what is to come."

Noor opened her eyes, gazing up at the stars that now twinkled in the darkening sky. She felt a calmness settling over her, a peace that came from surrendering her worries to Allah. She knew the journey ahead wouldn't be easy, but she also knew that with Allah's guidance, she could find the strength to love again, to build a new life with Ruhaan, and to heal the parts of her heart that still ached from the past.

"Ameen,"  Noor whispered softly, letting her final prayer drift into the night as she felt a renewed sense of trust in the path Allah had chosen for her.

In the quiet distance, Ruhaan stood silently near the entrance to the terrace, his heart heavy with the emotions stirred by all he had just heard. Unintentionally, he had overheard everything—Saba's painful confession to Noor, revealing the tragic truth behind Shaan and Saba's marriage, and then Noor's heart-wrenching conversation with Allah. Each word Noor spoke reached Ruhaan's soul, the sincerity in her voice, her vulnerability before Allah, and the deep, raw pain she still carried for Shaan. His heart ached for her, but at the same time, he felt a profound admiration for her faith and strength. 

Ruhaan closed his eyes as Noor's prayer came to an end. When she whispered her final *Ameen*, he too, whispered softly, "Ameen." It wasn't just Noor's prayer now; it was his as well. He too was asking Allah for patience, for guidance, and for the strength to wait for Noor with a heart full of love and understanding.

Ruhaan lifted his gaze to the sky, his own silent prayer forming in his heart.

"Ya Allah, give me the patience to wait for Noor. Grant her the peace she seeks, and if it is Your will, Ya Rabb, bring her heart closer to mine. I know her love for Shaan still lingers, and I do not wish to rush her, but I ask for the strength to stand by her side, to be there when she's ready, for her sake and Yours." Ruhaan felt the weight of his emotions, but he also felt a sense of tranquility. He had always believed that love and trust in Allah go hand in hand, and tonight, his faith deepened. Hearing Noor pour her heart out to Allah only strengthened his resolve to be patient, to be kind, and to support her on this journey, no matter how long it took. 

With one final glance at Noor, still sitting on the terrace, Ruhaan quietly turned to leave, his heart filled with a renewed sense of purpose. He knew that love could not be forced, but with faith, patience, and the will of Allah, everything would unfold as it was meant to.

"Sabr," he whispered to himself, his heart echoing the word, "Sabr and tawakkul." And with that, Ruhaan walked away, leaving Noor in her peaceful moment, while he carried his own prayers with him, trusting in the path that lay ahead. 

Noor carefully unfolded the letter Ruhaan had given her after the conversation with Allah. Her hands trembled slightly, not knowing what to expect, but her heart felt a strange pull to finally read his words. As she started reading, her eyes began to well up, and soon a tear rolled down her cheek, as if a part of her heart had finally opened up to the reality of everything.

The letter read:---

*Bismillah hir Rahman ir Rahim,* 

Assalamu Alaikum, Noor,

I don't know how to start this letter. Maybe because my heart is still struggling to find the right words. But I need to say this, and I hope Allah gives me the strength to convey what's in my heart. The day we had our *Nikah*—it was sudden for you, I know, and it was not how I had imagined things either. Your Nanu, Mr. Suleman, made that decision in the last days of his life. He believed in this union, Noor, and he wanted us to be together, not just because of a promise but because he saw something between us that even we could not see.

"And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought."* *(Surah Ar-Rum, 30:21)

Noor, I know this *Nikah* was unexpected, and I understand if you are still trying to make sense of everything. I too, have had my moments of confusion and doubt. But one thing I am sure of, is that this marriage, this bond, is from Allah. There's wisdom in His plans, and I believe with all my heart that He has chosen this path for us for a reason. I want you to know, I am not here to rush you or force anything upon you. I understand you need time, and I respect that. But I want you to know that I am always here for you, waiting for you, Noor. 

Whether you need space, time, or someone to lean on, I will be there, In Sha Allah. I apologize for the way things happened. Your Nanu, in his final days, did what he thought was best, and I am deeply honored that he entrusted me with you, his most precious granddaughter. But I also know that this is a huge responsibility, and I promise, with Allah as my witness, I will never fail you in this trust. I will be by your side through everything, and I will wait as long as it takes.

"So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth." (Surah Al-Mu'min, 40:55)

May Allah ease your heart and guide us both in this journey. I pray that one day, when you are ready, we can build this relationship on love, trust, and the principles of Islam. Until then, Noor, know that my heart is with you, in this world and the next, In Sha Allah. 

With the deepest respect and affection, 

 Your husband,
 Ruhaan

As Noor finished reading the letter, a single tear fell onto the page. It wasn't a tear of confusion or pain, but rather one of realization. She had been carrying so much in her heart, and for the first time, she felt the sincerity in Ruhaan's words. There was a part of her that was touched by the gentleness, the patience, and the faith that Ruhaan had in Allah's plan. She gazed at the sky once more, whispering a silent prayer to Allah, asking for guidance, for strength, and for the courage to move forward with whatever He had decreed for her.