𝑭𝒂𝒕𝒆

Chapter 16

As weeks turned into months, Hisham was busier than ever. With the growing demands of his consulting firm, he was working long hours, often coming home late at night, and exhausted.

At first, Zahra didn't mind. She understood that Hisham was under pressure.

On Friday evening, after Hisham had returned home from yet another long day, Zahra noticed how tired he looked.

"How was your day, honey?"

"It was okay, just a lot to get done. I have to follow up with a client tomorrow, and there's this new proposal I need to work on."

"Tomorrow? But it's Saturday.. we were supposed to go to that family gathering. Remember?"

Hisham sighed and leaning back into the couch.

"I know, Zahra.. I'll try to make it. But if I don't get this proposal done, I might lose the client. I can't afford to take a day off right now."

Zahra feel disappointed. Hisham seemed to be further away from her and she didn't know how to reach him.

"I understand.."

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The next day, Hisham worked from his office and missing the family event. Zahra went alone. She missed him—missed the way they used to be. And yet, every time she tried to talk to him about it, he seemed too busy or too tired to listen.

That night, when Hisham finally came home, Zahra decided it was time to confront the issue. She couldn't keep pretending that everything was fine when it wasn't.

"Hisham... we need to talk."

"Yes? What's wrong?"

"I know you've been working hard, and I'm really proud of everything you've accomplished. But... I feel like we're drifting apart. It's like we're living two separate lives."

Hisham closing his laptop.

"Drifting apart? Zahra I'm doing all of this for us. For our future.."

"I know.. but in the process, we've lost something important. We don't talk like we used to. We don't spend time together. I feel like I'm losing you."

Her words hit Hisham harder than he expected. He hadn't realized how much his work had consumed him, how much time he had been sacrificing without even noticing it.

"I didn't mean for it to be like this. I just thought once things settled down with the business, we'd get back to how things were. But you're right... I've been distant.."

Zahra held his hand.

"I don't need grand gestures or big moments, Hisham.. I just need you.. I need to feel like we're still in this together."

"I'm sorry, Zahra.. I didn't realize how much I was neglecting us."

"We can still fix this, Hisham.."

"I'll do better, I promise.."

To be continued...