Made for you

Teach me

Zac knelt beside the foundation of a half- completed house, wiping sweat from his brow as the midday sun pounded down. He focused on the regular hammering of his hammer on nails, allowing the noise to drown out his thoughts, it had been three months since he walked away from the airport job that he had hoped would be his career. Three months have passed since his last battle with Karen, and her words are still echoing in his head.

"Zac your best isn't enough."

The words stung because he knew they were true. He had no idea what to say to her or how to repair what was broken between them. So, instead, he did what was best for both of them and he left.

Construction had been his savior, allowing him to rebuild himself as well as his homes. Each brick and beam was an attempt to restore order to his shattered life. Even still, the pain lingered, eating at the edge of his thoughts as the workday finished and he returned to his little plain apartment.
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Today, however, was different, Zac awake with a gnawing feeling of guilt, he hadn't visited the homeless center in over a month, since him and Karen had split. It used to be his safe haven, a place where he felt helpful even when everything else in his life was failing. But after the breakup, he couldn't face the center's walls, or the faces of those who depended on him.

He ended his shift at the construction site,  cleaned up, and drove the familiar route to the center. The building was the same, a simple brick building on a major street corner but it felt different. It felt like a period of his life that he wasn't sure he could visit.

As he pushed open the door, he was welcomed by the scent of fresh bread and coffee, mixed with the sound of conversation. He scanned the room, noticing the faces of old volunteers and new ones.

That's when he saw her.

Fatima stood behind the service bar, her dark curls tucked beneath a headscarf, she moved purposefully, pouring soup into bowls and smiling warmly to those who passed through the line. Zac didn't remember seeing her before, yet something about her drew his attention. Her kindness was not only evident in her actions, it seeped from her, filling the room with hope.

Zac was pulled to her, but he remained back, unsure of how to approach, " He, Zac ," a voice said from behind hi, it was Maria, the center's director. "Glad to see you again, it has been a while. "Yeah," Zac answered, rubbing the back of his neck, "I apologize about that, I've had a lot going on. Maria smiled knowingly. "You are here no, that's all what matters, why don't you assist out with the serving tonight? " we could use another pair of hands."

Zac nodded and approached the counter. "Hi," she said, offering her hand. "I am Fatima, "You must be new here." "Not exactly," Zac said, shaking her hand, " I used to volunteer, but it has been a while. "I'm Zac." Okay Zac, welcome back. "Grab an apron, we have a lot of people to feed tonight."

As the evening passed, Zac found himself studying Fatima more than he meant. She was a natural, interacting with everyone who passed through the line, asking about their day and offering encouragement. It wasn't just what she said, it was how she made people feel seen.

By the time the dinner rush had subsided, Zac and Fatima were cleaning up the kitchen together. "You're good at this," Zac said, breaking the silence, Fatima looked at him, her expression curious. "At what?" "Connecting with people," he said. "Making them feel.....I don't know, but it's important." Fatima laughed softly. "That's nice of you to say , I guess it's all about showing u, you know? People need to know that someone cares. Zac nodded, feeling her words connect with him.

"What about you?" She asked, "What brought you back after all this time?" Zac hesitated, the weight of his past crushing against him, "I supposed I've been trying to figure things out. "Life's been a mess lately." Fatima did not press, but her eyes expressed a quiet understanding.
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Over the next few weeks, Zac continued his regular volunteering. He and Fatima often worked together, and their conversations grew deeper with each shift, Zac discovered that Fatima had her own scars. Her ex, Aaron, had left her feeling unsure of her worth, and she was still putting herself  back together.

Despite their shared pain, Zac admired Fatima for not letting it define her, she devoted herself to her work at the center, finding fulfillment in helping others. It inspired him, but it also made him painful aware of how lost he still felt.

Fatima proposed that they should go grab some coffee one evening after the center closed, Zac hesitated but agreed interested by her world outside the center.

They sat in a small cafe, steam rising from their cups as their talk became more personal. "Do you ever feel like you've forgotten how to be...... yourself?" Zac asked, staring into his coffee. Fatima studied his question. "All the time," she admitted. "When Aaron left, I felt like I had no idea who I was without him, but I knew that was the problem. I gave him so much of myself that I did not have anything left for myself.

Zac nodded at the words struck a connection. "I guess I'm still stuck there. Karen... she blamed me for not knowing how to love and saying I was never enough." "And maybe she's right." Fatima reached across the table and placed her hands on his, "I don't believe love is something you lose, sometimes we need to relearn and believe that it's OK to open up again. Her touch was warm and grounding, something Zac has not felt in months.
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As the weeks progressed into months, Zac and Fatima became closer. Their connection felt 100% organic and natural, but Zac couldn't get over his anxiety of letting someone in again. Every time he began to feel more for Fatima, echoes of his past returned, reminding him of his mistakes.

One night, after an especially busy shift at the center, Zac waited in the parking lot, watching Fatima lock up. "Walk me to my car?" She asked, her smile warm. Zac nodded and fell into step behind her. "I know you're still carrying a lot," Fatima added after a pause. But you don't have to carry it alone."

Her words hang in the air, and for the first time, Zac felt an aura of confidence. Maybe he did not need to find everything out on his own. "And what about you?" Zac asked. "You've gone  through a lot, too. "Who helps you?"

Fatima smiled, despite the sadness in her eyes. "I guess I've been better at helping others than letting them help me,"

Zac paused walking and turned to face her. "Maybe we can help each other." Fatima met his eyes, and her expression softened, "I'd like that."

THANK YOU FOR READ, I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving with your love ones!! -M