Fragments of forever

chapter 6 : I wish i died first.

One month had passed since Farouk's death, and Fatima was still lost in grief. Her family had done everything they could to bring her out of the deep sadness that consumed her. Yaya Imany often came by with her child, hoping that the sight of her niece might cheer Fatima up, but it never did. Abdul and Ahmad tried making jokes or taking her for drives around the city, but Fatima would just stare blankly out the window. Her mother prepared her favorite meals, but Fatima barely touched them. Even Aliya, her closest friend, visited daily, speaking to her about life, making small talk, but it felt like Fatima was trapped in her sorrow, unreachable.

Her family watched, worried and helpless, as Fatima moved like a ghost through the house.

Meanwhile, Moh had also been affected deeply by Farouk's death. He hadn't told anyone about the letter Farouk had left for him on his phone. Instead, he chose to bury himself in work, pushing aside his own grief, or at least trying to. He had recently traveled to Manchester for a work-related trip, hoping the change of environment would bring him some relief. But it didn't. The thoughts of the letter plagued him every day.

It wasn't until a quiet evening in Manchester, during a rare moment of rest, that Moh decided to confide in Khalifa, his best friend, about the letter. Khalifa, someone he trusted with his deepest secrets, noticed the weight Moh had been carrying.

They were sitting at a café, the noise of the city around them, but the conversation between them felt like it was in a bubble.

"You've been distant, Moh," Khalifa said, stirring his coffee. "I mean, I know we all miss Farouk, but something is eating you up, man."

Moh stared down at his own untouched drink, then sighed. "There's something I haven't told anyone," he began slowly. "Farouk left me a message...on his phone."

Khalifa raised an eyebrow. "What kind of message?"

"A letter of sorts. He wrote it for me...and for Fatima," Moh continued, his voice quieter than usual. "I haven't told anyone about it. Not even Fatima."

Khalifa leaned back in his chair, processing this. "Why haven't you told her?"

Moh ran a hand through his hair, the guilt and confusion clear on his face. "I don't know. I just... I didn't know how. It's like... he asked me to look after her. But that's not even the worst part."

Khalifa frowned. "What is?"

"He asked me... to marry her," Moh finally said, his voice strained as if the words themselves were a burden. "He said if he didn't make it, I should be the one to take care of her. But I don't know, Khalifa... I don't think I can do that."

Khalifa let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "That's heavy, man. Really heavy. But let me ask you something, and be honest with me-do you even like Fatima? I mean, like her as more than just Farouk's fiancée?"

Moh shook his head immediately. "No. No, I don't. I just see her like a sister, Khalifa. She's grieving, and I can't... I don't even think I could ever see her that way. I respect Farouk's wishes, but this? I don't think it's possible."

Khalifa stared at him, thoughtful. "I get it. You don't want to betray Farouk's last wishes, but you also don't want to force yourself into something you don't feel. But listen, maybe it's not about marrying her right now. Maybe it's about being there for her, supporting her as a brother would."

Moh nodded slowly. "I just feel like I'm caught between a promise I can't keep and a future I can't see clearly."

Khalifa patted his friend's shoulder. "You're doing your best, man. No one can ask for more than that. Maybe when the time's right, you'll know what to do with that letter. But until then, don't beat yourself up over it."