Love's Gentle Embrace

Small Gestures, Big Love

Noor sat in the boardroom, her fingers lightly tracing the edges of her tablet as she tried to calm her racing thoughts. The soft glow of the mid-day sun bathed the sleek, modern furniture in a golden hue, adding an almost ethereal quality to the room. Everything felt surreal, as though time itself had slowed down. How had her life taken such a dramatic turn? She had once loved Shaan, a love never spoken aloud, yet deeply felt in the quiet exchange of glances and subtle gestures. But fate—or perhaps the will of Allah—had drawn them apart. Now, Shaan was nothing more than a chapter in her past.

Ruhaan Khan, her husband, had entered her life like a whisper in the night, unexpected yet comforting. She remembered their chance encounters at the airport and in the park, moments that had seemed insignificant at the time. Little did she know that their destinies had long been intertwined. Her grandfather's promise had bound them in marriage, a weight Noor had initially struggled to bear. But Allah, in His wisdom, had chosen Ruhaan for her long before she could understand her own heart.

As she grew to know him, her feelings began to shift. Slowly, love blossomed, like the first buds of spring. Ruhaan's kindness, his patience, his quiet strength—all of it wrapped around her heart, melting away her doubts. Over time, she realized that he was not just a man she had been fated to marry, but the man Allah had destined for her, even if she hadn't seen it from the start.

Then came the revelation that had left her breathless: Ruhaan Khan was also Mr. Gabriel Laurent—the president of the very company she worked for. The man who had been her confidant, her husband, was the same man who commanded the respect and admiration of the entire corporate world. It was a truth that added layers to their already complex relationship, and Noor found herself caught between awe and disbelief.

As Ruhaan stood at the head of the table, addressing the room with his usual commanding presence, Noor's mind drifted. His tailored suit, the calm confidence in his voice, it all felt different now that she knew. His cold voice filled the boardroom. "Today," he began, "this branch reaches its highest peak. And that success is because of each one of you. Your dedication, innovation, and teamwork have brought us here. For that, you have my gratitude."

Noor felt his gaze linger on her, if only for a moment. A shiver ran down her spine. Did anyone else know about them, or was this their secret alone, hidden within the folds of their shared life?

"There's no need for further introductions," Ruhaan continued. "I think you all know who I am by now. But why am I here today?" He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. Noor sensed something unspoken in his eyes—a message meant only for her.

He exhaled softly, offering a small, cryptic smile. "Time will tell you," he said, then swiftly shifted back to business. "Let's not delay. We have much to discuss today."

The meeting stretched on, but Ruhaan's final glance toward Noor before leaving the boardroom sent her heart racing once more. As she packed up her things, her phone buzzed with a message. Her lips curved into a smile as she read it:

"My dear Qalbi, if you are going to look this beautiful, how can I focus on my work? Have some mercy on me, please."

She laughed softly and replied with a teasing smirk: "Serves you right."

On the other end, Ruhaan saw her reply and placed a hand over his heart. "I surrender, Mrs. Khan," he texted back with a smile before diving back into his work.

Later that evening, Noor returned home to an empty apartment. She had expected Ruhaan to be home by now, but the quiet space told her otherwise. Feeling a little restless, she decided to take a cold shower to clear her mind. Afterward, she slipped into a loose black kameez and matching palazzo, wrapping her black dupatta over her head before kneeling down to pray. The tranquility of the prayer soothed her, and afterward, she began reciting the Quran aloud, filling the apartment with the melodic words to keep herself company.