She said:
"I abandoned everything I held dear, trusting Allah with my heart. If He decrees us to be together, no power on earth can defy His will. But if not, then I pray He grants me the strength to endure this storm."
He said:
"I despised the fire...
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The darkness seemed to cling to Zara as she gasped for air, each breath jagged, as though something inside her was suffocating, strangling her very soul. Her chest heaved painfully as she shot up, wide-eyed, clutching at her heart with trembling hands. Sweat beaded down her forehead, blurring her vision. The pounding in her chest matched the frantic rhythm of her thoughts. She couldn't remember.
Her gaze darted around the room-sterile white walls, the faint beeping of machines, the unmistakable scent of antiseptic. A hospital. Her breath hitched, the world spinning as she realized she was in her abaya and hijab, but... her veil. It wasn't covering her face. Her fingers shook as she touched her lips, feeling exposed. Vulnerable. A tear slipped down her cheek as panic tightened in her throat.
"W-what am I d-doing here? W-why can't I r-remember a-anything?" Zara's voice broke as she cradled her head in her hands, the pain in her temples throbbing.
"Ya Allah..." she whispered, the weight of her fear pressing down on her.
Suddenly, the door creaked open. Zara looked up, startled, and saw a nurse walking in. The nurse wore a hijab, her face soft with understanding. Relief flickered in Zara's chest as the nurse's presence felt comforting. Her smile was gentle as she sat beside Zara, patting her head softly, as though she understood the turmoil boiling inside her.
"Alhamdulillah, you're awake," the nurse said, her voice calm, reassuring. "How are you feeling now? Shukar, you are better. Allah protected you."
Zara tried to force a smile, but confusion clouded her mind. "W-what happened? What am I doing here? Who brought me?" Her voice trembled, barely above a whisper as she gulped down the rising panic.
The nurse hesitated, her expression shifting as she prepared to answer, but the sound of hurried footsteps caught both their attention. Zara turned her head, and her heart clenched.
Zain.
His face was pale, eyes red and glassy with unshed tears. He rushed towards her, his worry etched into every line on his face. Before Zara could say anything, his arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. His body shook as he buried his face against her shoulder, his voice breaking.
"Appiiiiii!" His words were a choked cry, full of relief and pain, his grip on her tightening as though he feared letting go would take her away from him again.
"Zain..." Zara whispered, her voice weak but full of emotion as she gently stroked his hair. He pulled back from the hug and cupped her cheeks, his eyes searching her face with a mix of relief and lingering fear.
"Appi, I was so scared," Zain's voice trembled as he spoke. "Ya Allah, shukar, alhamdulillah, nothing happened to you."
Zara gulped, her eyes meeting his. The fear in his gaze made her heart twist painfully. She shook her head slowly, trying to piece together the fragments of what had happened.
