Umeed

Chapter 36

Days settled into a gentle, happy routine for Noor. She spent most of her time at home, but she had big plans in mind. Noor had been managing a bakery back in London, a project she poured her heart into, and now she dreamed of opening a new branch locally. It would allow her to work from home and still check in on the London bakery when necessary. The idea of bringing her passion to life here gave her something meaningful to look forward to.

Each morning, Noor would get Hoor and Ayaan ready for school, packing their bags and lunches, adding small treats she knew they loved. After their first day of school, she decided they would go by school bus, wanting them to experience a little independence. They protested at first, wanting Noor to keep driving them, but soon enough, they embraced the adventure, enjoying the bus rides with their friends.

Noor’s quiet, caring nature extended beyond just Hoor and Ayaan; it had become her habit to prepare and send lunch to Faris and Shahzain. She knew both of them too well—especially Shahzain. He had always been too wrapped up in work to bother with his own needs. On the first day she sent lunch to Shahzain’s office, he was surprised to find a neatly packed meal waiting for him. His eyes softened when he opened it and saw Noor’s thoughtful preparation, each item clearly chosen with care.

That afternoon, as he sat in his office, his colleagues were stunned to see their usually stoic boss holding a lunchbox with a smile. He rarely let his guard down, and they had never seen him smile so easily. His cold, unapproachable image wavered slightly as he enjoyed his lunch, and whispers spread through the office. It was the kind of small but meaningful gesture that reminded him of the warmth waiting for him at home.

As the days passed, Noor continued to settle into her new rhythm, balancing her dreams of the bakery with her responsibilities at home. Each evening, after tucking Hoor and Ayaan into bed, she waited for Shahzain to return from work. She had started noticing how tired he often seemed, the weight of his responsibilities pressing on him, and she wanted to be there to share even a small part of that burden.

Tonight was no different. Noor was arranging the dinner table when she heard the familiar sound of Shahzain’s car pulling into the driveway. Anticipation filled her as she busied herself with the last touches, waiting for him to walk through the door. She was setting down the plates when she heard his footsteps approaching, steady and purposeful, and turned slightly to greet him.

Shahzain entered, looking worn from the day, but as soon as he saw Noor waiting for him, his exhaustion began to melt away. He crossed the room with an intensity softened only by the warmth in his eyes. He stopped just behind her, his hands gently encircling her waist as he pulled her close, resting his chin against her shoulder. Noor felt his face nuzzle into her hair, the closeness making her heart race.

It hadn’t been like this at first. The first time Shahzain hugged her, Noor had been too shy, startled by his unexpected affection. She had frozen in place, her cheeks turning crimson, until he gently asked if she was uncomfortable. She hadn’t been able to meet his gaze, but her silence had told him she didn’t mind. Since then, his embraces had become part of their evening routine, a quiet reassurance that melted the barriers between them.

Tonight, Noor felt her shyness returning as he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. His voice was low, barely a whisper, but it sent a thrill through her. “You look breathtaking,” he murmured, his words lingering in the air between them. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, her hands fidgeting nervously, unsure of how to respond.

Shahzain chuckled softly, clearly charmed by her reaction. Slowly, he turned her to face him, his hands never leaving her waist. Noor’s gaze dropped, unable to meet the intensity in his eyes, and she felt his hand gently lift her chin. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, his touch filled with tenderness and care. Noor closed her eyes, savoring the warmth and comfort that came with his touch. She let her arms slip around him, resting her head against his chest, his chin coming to rest on top of her head in a way that felt perfectly natural.