ishq lost & found

41; Reminder

Ranya had been restless for days now, feeling just like she had when Salman first dropped the bomb on her. She had done her absolute best to keep it together in front of Saad, the last thing she wanted was another reason for her to end up in his arms. She was miserable for sure, but she still had a point to make and she wasn't going to make it by seeking his comfort any time she felt upset.

She had done whatever she could to ignore him, but it wasn't very difficult when she didn't even want to escape the confines of her room. She'd only really leave when absolutely necessary, like for work, or if she felt the urge to eat. But it wasn't very often.

Saad was putting as much effort as he could to stay on top of her, making sure she was okay. Her silence hadn't gone unnoticed and it was beginning to drive him insane. But the hours at the firm were getting longer and longer, especially since they had grown so much and because they're located in the New York of Canada. He was going to be given a huge case, one that cost millions more than any other he had ever handled before. But even with the new found pressure of that, he couldn't stop worrying for Ranya.

There were times he had run into her, noticing her red and swollen eyes more often than not. Every time, he had asked if she was okay. She would always say she was. He'd ask if she wanted to eat, and that he was going to. Even if it wasn't true, he hoped the idea of him eating may help her somehow, but it never did. It was a continuous loop he wanted to end.

Sat at the polished and large table placed directly in the middle of their meeting room, Saad swirled his pen in his between his fingers as his colleagues babbled on and on. He knew he should be focused, and he was for every other meeting at the beginning of every week, but the stress of Ranya was bothering him relentlessly.

For months, their firm had been courting this client, one mishap could cost them millions. But his mind kept thinking back to Ranyas tears, her sunken red and swollen eyes, the way she melted into him. He was worried about her, more than he ever had been before. But he was also stressed as to what it was that had her so obviously on edge? What was it that had her crying every day, barely eating, never leaving her room in less necessary, and barely speaking to him?

"Saad?" his colleague whispered, nudging him to pull him out of this thoughts.

"Hm?" Saad hummed in question, eyes darting to his colleague although he still seemed lost in thought.

"You okay? They're going to talk about your case next." He asked, surprised that it seemed as though Saad was off his game. Saad was never lost, confused, or not paying attention. His colleague hadn't known him very long, but with how hard he worked and the hours he put in, they knew he'd be partner sooner than later.

Saad nodded, as if he registered whatever his colleague had even said. To be frank, Saad did not care. He couldn't care less because it's not like he couldn't catch up on this later on, the meetings were quite useless in his opinion and took up time they didn't have to. He only paid attention because he figured maybe the meeting could help him. They never did.

Instead, his mind raced back and forth between reasons as to why Ranya was so upset. He knew it had to do with Salman, that much was clear. But was it that she missed him? Did his sudden reappearance stir up old feelings? Did she still love him? Was she upset that she had to live with Saad, married to him, when she could have just waited for Salman? He couldn't shake the fear that her tears were that of yearning. Yearning for a future with Salman that she never had. Tears for what could have been, but for what isn't.

Saad wanted to ask her, but how was he supposed to go about that? Every time he had asked if she was okay, she always dismissed him. He tried multiple times too, any time he ran into her and it was clear she wasn't the same Ranya.