Broken

Chapter 53: By your side

Fatima walked up to the room where Khalid would be sleeping. She knocked gently on the already open door, and Khalid looked up from his MacBook that was open on the bed in front of him.

"Just came to check if you're still okay," she said, leaning against the doorframe.

Khalid nodded. "I am, thank you."

Fatima smiled and patted the PJ set in her left hand. "Here are some PJs for you. I bought them for Zac, but he has never worn them a day in his life," she said with a small chuckle.

Khalid smiled back, appreciating the gesture. "Thanks."

"They might be a little big, but you're tall, so—" she started.

"I heard that!" Zac's voice called from the master bedroom, making them both chuckle.

"There's an extra toothbrush in the bathroom, along with body wash, moisturizer, and a robe—everything you might need," Fatima says. Khalid nods in acknowledgment.

Fatima placed the PJ set on the bed. "If you need anything—anything at all—I'm just down the hall, okay?" she said, her voice warm and reassuring.

Khalid nodded, his gratitude clear in his eyes. "I appreciate it. Thanks."

"You're welcome. Goodnight," she said, stepping out.

Just as she was about to leave, Khalid called her back. "Fatima."

She stopped and turned to face him. "Yes?"

"Thank you. For everything. Our talk, the answers you gave me, for allowing me into your space and not treating me like an outsider," he began, his voice filled with sincerity. "I know I just showed up out of the blue, and I did some horrible things like leaking your identity and insulting you. I'm sorry. I thought you abandoned me because you didn't want me, but now I know, and I see that it was out of your control. It just upsets me a lot because... getting to know you now... you would've been an amazing mom to me."

Fatima's heart swelled at his words. She stood there, the weight of his emotions sinking in. Her voice softened as she replied, "Khalid... I don't know how to explain how much that means to me. I've carried so much guilt for so long. I thought about you every day, wondering if you were safe, if you were happy. Not being able to be your mother was the hardest thing I've ever had to live with."

She took a step closer, her eyes glistening. "But hearing you say that... it means everything. I would have given anything to raise you, to be there for you. I can't change the past, but I hope we can build something better from now on."

Khalid nodded, his own eyes misting over. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Fatima gave him a soft, heartfelt smile, reaching out to place her hand gently on his shoulder. "Goodnight, Khalid. And thank you... for giving me a chance."

He smiled back, the bond between them slowly strengthening. "Goodnight."

Fatima left the room quietly, her heart full of emotion. As she walked down the hall toward her bedroom, the weight of her past seemed a little lighter, knowing that she was no longer facing it alone.

Fatima walked into the master bedroom, where Zac was sitting on the bed, waiting for her. His shoulders were slouched, his eyes still red from all the crying earlier. He looked up when she entered, and a faint smile crossed his lips.

"You two are making progress," he said, his voice soft but a bit more settled.

"We are," Fatima replied as she sat down beside him. "How are you feeling?" she asked, her eyes full of concern.