Fickle

Chpater 18

The sterile scent of the hospital lingered in Kulthum’s mind as she entered her office, the door clicking shut behind her with a sound that felt like the finality of a decision. It had been a long day—one of those days that seemed to stretch endlessly, the rhythm of life a blur of patients, procedures, and endless demands. But even amidst the chaos of her professional life, her thoughts kept returning to Abdullah.

She had been avoiding him, not because she didn’t want him to be a part of their lives, but because the pain of their separation still lingered. She had spent years rebuilding herself—her career, her life, her heart—and now, it felt like everything was being upended again. The twins needed her, and she knew that Hudayfah’s hesitation wasn’t just about his father’s absence. It was about the emotional scars left from years of not knowing the truth. Jenna was easier to win over, but Hudayfah... Hudayfah was a different story altogether.

Kulthum leaned back in her chair, staring out the window at the view of the city. Minnesota was her home now, and the life she had built was solid. She had no intention of uprooting everything for the sake of past mistakes. Yet, every time she thought about Abdullah, about the promises he’d made, a part of her wondered whether she could ever forgive him for walking away when their family needed him most.

Her phone buzzed on the desk, snapping her out of her reverie. The name on the screen made her pause. It was a message from her colleague, Dr. Ammar, regarding an upcoming surgery. Kulthum glanced at the message, but her mind was elsewhere. She typed a quick reply, then set the phone aside.

Her door opened, and Dr. Daniels stepped in, a friendly smile on his face. “Morning, Dr. Muhammad. How’s the day been treating you?”

Kulthum gave him a tired but polite smile. “Busy, as usual,” she said, standing to gather her things for a quick meeting. “But that’s what keeps me going, right?”

Dr. Daniels nodded. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you. You know that new proposal from the hospital board about the cardiac research initiative?” He paused, as if gauging her interest. “They’re considering you to head it. You’ve got the experience, the credentials, and frankly, your reputation in this field is stellar.”

Kulthum’s heart skipped a beat. She had heard whispers about the initiative, but she hadn’t expected them to approach her directly. It was an honor—one she couldn’t deny—but the timing felt almost too perfect. Was it just coincidence that she was being offered the lead role in this groundbreaking project, or was this a sign that her professional life was meant to be her focus, not the complexities of her personal life?

“I hadn’t heard about that,” Kulthum replied carefully, her gaze momentarily drifting toward the window. “It’s an exciting opportunity, for sure. But I’m... not sure if I’m the right fit. My plate is already full with the patients I’m seeing.”

Dr. Daniels smiled knowingly. “I understand that, Dr. Muhammad, but you’re the one who has the vision for where this research could go. This is the next step for you. I have no doubt that you’d excel in this role. But you’ll need to make the decision soon.”

Kulthum nodded slowly, the weight of his words sinking in. She was being given the chance to step into a leadership role that could shape the future of cardiac medicine, a role that would push her to new heights in her career. It was everything she had worked for. But the thought of balancing this responsibility with her complicated family life—especially with Abdullah’s return—made her feel as though she was standing at a crossroads.

“I’ll think about it,” Kulthum said, offering him a polite smile. “Thank you for letting me know.”

Dr. Daniels left, and Kulthum sat back in her chair, her mind racing. The decision to accept the leadership role was tempting. It was an acknowledgment of everything she had accomplished, a validation of her skills and expertise. But at the same time, the idea of being thrust into such a high-profile position while her family’s life was in turmoil felt overwhelming.