Towards Hope

Chapter 14

Finally, I decided to confront her about the issue. I went to her house and said to her, "Kiara, we can't stay like this, I implore you. I know you're angry with me for not telling you what happened, but I didn't tell anyone because I was embarrassed, and I didn't see a reason to discuss such matters. It was a fleeting situation and I didn't want to give it more importance than it deserved. It doesn't deserve all that attention."

Kiara interrupted me, speaking loudly: "Doesn't he deserve it? Doesn't he deserve it? Are you serious? Are you insane? This just makes me angrier. Taym, I hate you." I didn't understand why she saw it with such importance. I was astonished, so I asked her, "Please, tell me, I swear to you by God, I want to know why all this?"

She answered, "Do you really want to know? Do you really want to know?" I said to her, "Yes, exactly, explain it to me."

She said, "I love you, yes, I love you, but right now I'm angry with you and I want to kill you. I hate you. Don't you understand that I really love you?" After hearing this, I felt shocked. I didn't expect that, not even in my dreams, and I hadn't thought of it at all, especially since I had resolved to close my heart after the past incident. She said to me, "Please, I want to be alone, leave me." And she went back to her home with tears in her eyes. I could never forget that moment. I didn't want to pressure her, so I went back to my home and didn't try to contact her for a week, but I decided that I should talk to her and confront her because it was better for both of us. She is a wonderful girl, but I couldn't allow myself to live in the same shock.

After several days of intense thinking, I began to feel that the time had come to take a decisive step and go to Mr. Johnson's house to confront Kiara and talk to her. Those days were filled with hesitation and thoughts, clashing in my mind. I finally decided that confronting her would be the best solution to clarify things.

When I arrived at their house, it emitted a feeling of warmth and familiarity, filled with the scent of fresh roses, giving you the impression that you were entering a place that welcomes you warmly. Mr. Johnson greeted me warmly, with his friendly smile and eyes reflecting his kind heart. He said to me while inviting me in, "Welcome, Taym. Please come in, we are happy to see you."

I sat in the spacious living room, where beautiful paintings adorned the walls, and elegant furniture filled the space with quiet beauty. I waited a little, and during that time, my thoughts wandered about what I would say to his daughter. After a short while, Kiara came with her father, dragging her steps shyly, and her eyes avoided looking directly at me. I looked at Mr. Johnson and said politely, "Mr. Johnson, I would like to speak with Kiara alone if you please." He looked at me with a friendly smile and said, "Of course, please." And we were left to talk.

Kiara sat across from me, and I noticed the anxiety and shyness in her eyes. I tried to talk to her, but the words came out of her mouth with difficulty, as if she feared revealing her deep feelings. After a period of silence, I began to speak, saying, "Kiara, I am very surprised, I never expected that you love me." She lifted her head and looked at me with wide eyes, as if she was gathering her courage to confront me with the truth of her feelings.

I continued, "I had a very bad experience with a girl named Ahlam when I was in my country, and I wanted to tell you about her story." I talked about my experience with Ahlam and how I suffered from her betrayal, recounting the details as if I was reliving painful memories that I had buried deep in my heart. Then I asked her, "Do you really love me? And since when have you been feeling these feelings towards me?"

Kiara sighed deeply, as if she was trying to rid herself of the burden of those feelings she carried in her heart. She said with a voice full of emotion, "I am sorry for what happened to you in the past, Taym. But I love you from the bottom of my heart. My feelings for you started when I saw the true Islam in you. You don't lie, you don't betray, and you don't steal. You are a true Muslim. I am impressed by your personality and your morals, and I wished that we could build a happy family together." Her words came out with difficulty, but I felt the sincerity of her feelings. She continued, "I know my feelings might seem surprising, but I am confident in my love for you."

I would be lying if I said I didn't feel confused and my thoughts weren't jumbled in my head. Inside, feelings of anxiety and fear were battling, while Kiara's looks were full of hope and anticipation. I looked at her and said, "Kiara, I feel like I need some time to think about what happened, if you don't mind." She smiled gently, that smile carrying all the feelings of understanding and patience. She said in a calm voice, "I don't mind, Taym. Take your time. I'm here, and I'll wait."

I stood up, said goodbye to her, and left the house. My emotions were turbulent, but I knew this conversation was necessary to determine the future of our relationship. I walked out to the street, where the sun was starting to set, filling the sky with beautiful golden colors, as if symbolizing a new beginning that might carry many challenges but also a lot of hope.

I continued walking, reflecting on my conversation with Kiara and what I had told her about my dreams. That old story that had been haunting me like a ghost from the past was now gradually fading, leaving space for something new, perhaps filled with new love and new hope.

After a long talk with my family and friends, and after listening to their advice and encouragement, I finally decided to visit Kiara again to talk to her. Those days were filled with deep thinking and searching for answers within myself. I knew that making this decision required great courage and faith that God would not let me down.