Veil of Truth

Chapter 22

Amina's POV

It had been a week since we last spoke after that night. I felt guilty—as he hadn't finished his dinner because of me that night. Maybe I shouldn't have asked that.

Is she really his girlfriend? If she is, then why did he marry me? He could have told me before the marriage. I would have stepped away.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away. I had always cried out to Allah to soften his heart toward me. I still held onto hope, fragile as it was, that one day he would feel same for me like what I feel for him. But that hope seemed like a distant dream, always out of reach.

Pushing the thoughts aside, I donned my abaya and niqab. Today marked the beginning of my Foundation Year 1—a step closer to my dream of becoming a heart surgon. The thought gave me a spark of pride. I was finally a junior doctor.

As I stepped into the car, I noticed Zayd was already gone, to his office as usual.

I reached the campus, parked the car, and stepped out. My gaze immediately fell on Layla standing near the entrance—but she wasn't alone.

Saad? What was he doing here?

I walked toward them and greeted, "As-salamu alaykum."

"Wa-alaykum as-salam, bhabhi," Saad replied with a grin. Layla came forward and hugged me, and I returned the embrace.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Saad, pulling away from Layla.

"Oh, I came to drop her off," Saad said casually. I glanced at Layla, narrowing my eyes, but she avoided meeting my gaze.

"Where's Zayd? Didn't he come with you?" Saad asked.

I frowned, confused. "Why would he come here?"

"Today's the semi-final of the bike race," Saad explained. "I thought I'd drop Layla, and he'd drop you. Then we'd leave from here together. But I'm surprised—why didn't he come with you?"

"Bike race?" I asked, still processing. Before Saad could answer, the low growl of a motorbike cut through the air.

All heads turned to the source of the sound. Zayd.

He appeared like a figure out of a story, dressed head-to-toe in black. His leather jacket and matte black helmet gave him the aura of a professional racer. It had been a week since I'd last seen him, though we lived under the same roof.

Behind him, a convoy of sleek black cars trailed, unmistakably his bodyguards.

Zayd brought the roaring bike to a smooth halt beside me, the sound vibrating in the air. The nearness sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

He swung off the bike with practiced ease, every movement exuding confidence and precision. As he removed his helmet, slightly curls fell across his forehead. I found myself unable to look away, his commanding presence drawing all my attention.

His piercing gaze fell on me, cold and unreadable. My heart raced as I quickly lowered my eyes, unable to meet his stare for long.

"As-salamu alaykum, brother. Why didn't you come with Amina?" Layla asked, breaking the silence.

"Wa-alaykum as-salam. I had got some work to do." he replied curtly.

Is he interested in bike racing? He looks so... I stopped myself, heat rushing to my cheeks. Amina, stop! What are you even thinking?

"Let's go, Saad. We're getting late," Zayd said, mounting his bike again. Saad followed, settling on his own bike.

"Brother, even we want to see your race! Right, Amina?" Layla chimed in, first looking at Zayd, then at me.