Fickle

Chapter 23

Kulthum took a deep breath, the weight of her choice settling in her chest. She set the resignation letter on her boss’s desk and slid the Chicago offer letter into her bag.

“I’m staying,” she said firmly.

Her boss blinked in surprise but quickly nodded. “I have to admit, I didn’t see that coming. But I respect your decision. You’re an incredible asset here, Dr. Muhammad. I hope you know that.”

“Thank you,” Kulthum replied. “This place has been more than just a workplace. It’s my community. My family needs stability right now, and moving isn’t the right choice.”

As she walked out of the office, a sense of clarity washed over her. The choice hadn’t been easy, but it felt right.

---

That evening, Kulthum sat with the twins at the dinner table. Jenna chattered excitedly about a project at school while Hudayfah quietly poked at his food. Abdullah had joined them, his presence calm but attentive.

“I have something to tell you,” Kulthum said, interrupting Jenna’s stream of words. The twins turned to her, their curiosity piqued.

“I’ve decided we’re not moving to Chicago,” she said simply.

Jenna’s face lit up. “Really? Yay! I love it here!”

Hudayfah looked up, his expression unreadable at first. Slowly, he nodded, a hint of relief in his eyes. “Thank you, Mama,” he said softly.

Abdullah, seated across the table, met Kulthum’s gaze. There was no need for words; his look said it all—gratitude, respect, and a deep understanding of what her decision meant.

Later, as the twins played in the living room, Abdullah approached her in the kitchen.

“I know how hard that was for you,” he said, his voice low. “But I think you made the right choice.”

Kulthum turned to him, a wry smile playing on her lips. “Don’t get too comfortable, Abdullah. Just because I stayed doesn’t mean this will be easy.”

He chuckled, nodding. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

For the first time in a long time, Kulthum felt a sense of balance—fragile but present. The road ahead would still be challenging, but for now, she was exactly where she needed to be.

---

The days settled into a rhythm, though the air in the house still carried an unspoken tension. Abdullah spent more time with the twins, easing into his role as a father while navigating the barriers Hudayfah had built around his heart. Jenna, ever the optimist, clung to Abdullah at every opportunity, eager to bond with him in ways Hudayfah resisted.

One evening, after dinner, the family gathered in the living room. Jenna sat cross-legged on the carpet, flipping through a picture book. Hudayfah was perched on the couch, arms crossed as he watched the interaction between Abdullah and Jenna.

“Uncle Abdullah, can you read this one?” Jenna asked, holding up her book.

Abdullah smiled. “Of course, but only if you sit close enough for me to see the pictures.”

Jenna giggled and scrambled onto the couch, curling up beside him. Hudayfah watched silently, his expression neutral but his fingers fidgeting with a loose thread on a pillow.

As Abdullah began reading, Kulthum entered the room, holding a tray of tea. She paused, taking in the sight—Jenna leaning against Abdullah, the sound of his deep voice filling the room. Hudayfah, though distant, was at least present, which was more than Kulthum could have hoped for a few weeks ago.