Whispers of Love

Chapter 2

Saad's POV:

The sharp blare of my alarm tore through the silence of the early morning, waking me at 5:30 for Fajr prayer. Blinking against the dim light, her voice echoed in my mind, soft but vivid, as if she were right beside me. I couldn't fathom why her voice lingered so clearly, but I shook the thought away, convincing myself it was nothing. I rose, washed for Wuzu, and headed toward the Masjid in the cool morning air.

On my way, a distant rumble of thunder rippled through the sky, dark clouds gathering overhead with a promise of rain. After completing my prayers, I lingered in Ibadah until 7, grateful for the calmness before the rush of the day. Back at home, I moved to the gym for my morning workout, but somehow, despite my best efforts, my thoughts returned to Asad's sister. An unbidden fascination with her kept creeping in, and I found it hard to concentrate. I knew it wasn't right—she was my best friend's sister, someone I should be respectfully distant from. But my mind kept drifting back to her presence. After a distracted workout, I went for a shower, the hot water grounding me.

Wrapped in a towel, I caught my reflection—a reminder of how routine and discipline usually kept me steady. I dressed in my black suit and crisp white shirt, finishing with my wristwatch. When I went downstairs, Ammi was already in the kitchen, pouring me a steaming cup of coffee. The stormy air outside seemed fitting as I joined my family for breakfast, and soon after, Abbu and I left for work, dropping Suhana at college as we always did.

Upon reaching the office, Abbu went straight inside. I checked my phone and saw a message from a client who wanted to finalize a deal over coffee at a nearby cafe. I agreed, got back in my car, and started driving. The route was longer than I'd anticipated, but as I drove, the rain began to fall harder, turning into a heavy downpour. Halfway there, my car stalled. I tried to restart it, but it wouldn't budge. Without an umbrella, I stepped out, already soaked, and checked the engine, but there was no fixing it here. The rain was relentless, and as I stood there, drenched, it struck me that the mechanic might not even come in this weather. I glanced around, hoping to find shelter, and spotted a small, cozy-looking cafe-bookstore nearby, "Whispers of Love."

The name stirred something within me—a strange premonition, maybe, or just curiosity. Ignoring the feeling, I dashed across the street to escape the rain.

Roshni's POV:

The incessant buzzing of my alarm broke through the warmth of my dreams, reluctantly pulling me back to reality. I opened my eyes and saw it was 5:30. The soft drizzle and coolness outside made me long for just a few more minutes beneath my blanket, and before I knew it, I'd drifted off again. Ten minutes later, I jolted awake, realizing I'd overslept. I rushed to perform my Wuzu, and as I returned to my prayer mat, I heard a distant crack of thunder. The sound sent a small shiver through me, but after Fajr's prayer, I felt a reassuring peace.

The rain outside grew stronger as I went through my routine. After a shower, I slipped into a sky-blue suit, the color calming me as I brushed my hair and applied a hint of my rose-scented perfume, its sweet, intoxicating scent lifting my spirits.

Downstairs, I heard Ammi's voice calling me, "Roshni, jaldi niche aa!" (Come downstairs quickly, Roshni), reminding me it was already late. 

I hurried down, joined my family for breakfast, and then headed to my cafe-bookstore, my small haven of books and warm drinks.

Arriving at the cafe, I moved quickly, preparing coffee for the regulars while trying to reach the cook. My calls went unanswered, and just as I was finishing the last order, he arrived, apologizing profusely for the delay due to the rain. I nodded, grateful he'd arrived and turned my attention back to the cafe. I hadn't noticed how hard it was pouring until I sat at my desk, watching the rain beat against the windows.