echoes of defiance

chapter 23

Zain woke me gently for Fajr before heading to the Masjid. As I lay there for a moment, watching him leave, a thought crossed my mind: *Maybe early marriage isn’t so bad after all.*

After praying, I recited some Qur’an, feeling a deep sense of peace wash over me. I showered, letting the warm water relax my muscles, and slipped into a soft gown from the clothes Zain had thoughtfully placed in the closet for me. The fabric was smooth against my skin, and I smiled to myself as I stood in front of the mirror, combing my damp hair.

Just then, I heard the door open, and Zain walked in, his presence filling the room with a comforting energy. "Good morning," I greeted softly.

He walked over, wrapping his arms around me from behind, giving me a gentle back hug. His warmth seeped into me as he looked at our reflection in the mirror. "Good morning, baby," he whispered, his lips grazing the nape of my neck as he inhaled my scent. A shiver ran up my spine, sending a pleasant chill through my body.

"Did you sleep well?" Zain asked, his voice low and soothing. I smiled at him through the mirror.

"Yes, I did," I replied, feeling a warmth settle in my chest as we shared a quiet moment. I could see the way he looked at me in the reflection, and it made me feel cherished.

"Let me do it," he said suddenly, taking the comb from my hand with a smile. He pulled a stool forward, and I sat down, watching as he began to brush my hair with such care and gentleness. Each stroke of the comb felt like a soft caress, and I couldn’t help but smile.

When he finished, he reached for a scrunchie and expertly gathered my hair into a neat bun. I watched his reflection the entire time, captivated by the way he moved with such tenderness. When he was done, I looked up at him, still smiling.

"Thank you," I said softly, feeling a flutter in my chest. Zain... he was the kind of man every woman prayed for. *Alhamdulillah,* I thought to myself, feeling truly blessed.

"Baby, how about we leave tomorrow?" he asked, turning to face me after tying my bun, his expression thoughtful yet relaxed.

I blinked, surprised by the sudden question. "Leave for where?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

He smiled. "You need to settle at my place, and I thought we could visit Jordan for a day or two before heading to Korea. Your classes start in five days, so we should make the most of the time we have. What do you think?"

My eyes stayed locked on him as he spoke, and I could feel my heart swell with affection. He was thinking of everything, making sure that I would be comfortable and that we could enjoy some time together before the chaos of school began. I hadn’t even realized I was staring until he noticed.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Do you not want to go?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in amusement as his fingers gently traced my brows. His touch was light, but it sent a wave of warmth through me.

I shook my head, laughing softly. "No, *hayati'm,*" I said, taking his hand in mine and squeezing it. "I’ll go wherever you decide. I trust you."

A soft smile spread across his face, and he leaned down to kiss the top of my head. "Alright then, let’s pack and then go bid farewell to Mom and Amma. The flight is around three, so we’ll be leaving late. Are you ready for breakfast?" he asked, his tone shifting back to practical as he finished explaining the plan.

"A bit later," I replied, still feeling the warmth of his kiss on my forehead.

"Okay, just call me when you’re ready. Jawad’s made it already, so it’s waiting in the dining room," he said before stepping back, giving me space to finish getting ready.