Ties

~Chapter 28

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**THIRD PERSON'S POV**

Khalil stole a glance at his watch, feeling a surge of anticipation as he turned to Jannah. A certain brightness flickered in his voice. “Nahara called. She’s almost here.”

Jannah looked up from her phone, attempting to summon some excitement, but her response came out lacklustre and half-hearted. “Yay!” The word tumbled out more like a resigned sigh than an expression of joy, a clear reflection of her mixed feelings about the upcoming visit.

"C'mon, cheer up; it won't be as bad as you think." Khalil attempted to lift her spirits, absently running his fingers through the soft hair of the sleeping hamdaan nearby, who remained blissfully unaware of the tension brewing in the air.

Jannah rolled her eyes, her brow furrowing slightly. "Easy for you to say. You’re the one who’s going to benefit from her visit," she retorted, her voice laced with frustration. “How long is she staying anyway?” She couldn’t help but wonder if the brief visit would disrupt their routine or if it would change everything altogether.

"Perhaps a week, I can't say for sure," he mused, his brow furrowing slightly. "You and her should try to bond while she’s here. It might help to set aside your differences, even if it's just for a little while." A small, hopeful smile tugged at the corners of his lips, but deep down, he understood the enormity of what he was proposing. Given the strained history between his wife and cousin, the idea seemed almost laughable. He braced himself for the inevitable challenge ahead, fully aware that navigating their conflicting personalities would be anything but easy.

"The cousin of yours that I'm familiar with is not going to support this idea, even if she tries to pretend otherwise. Frankly, I can't shake the feeling that there’s some sort of ulterior motive behind it all; it just feels too calculated. At this point, I honestly think it's way too late for any hopes of reconciliation." Jannah expressed her thoughts with a hint of frustration.

"Don't worry," he said with a comforting tone, "even if she tries something, I've got your back." Khalil rose from his chair, crossed the room, and gently patted her head, a gesture meant to reassure her. His fingers brushed through her hair, and he felt a surge of warmth at the innocence behind her gaze. "What you should be concerned about," he added teasingly, a playful glint in his eyes, "is the fact that you’re moving into my room, babe." He fought to suppress a smile, knowing exactly what he was doing, before he turned and exited the room, leaving behind a lingering sense of anticipation.

"Khalil!" she erupted, her voice filled with frustration as it cut through the stillness of the room. The sudden outburst shattered the calm, and within seconds, the baby, once peacefully asleep, began to wail, small fists clenching in distress. She felt a rush of guilt wash over her as she glanced at the crib in the corner, where the infant had been nestled under a soft, pastel blanket adorned with tiny stars. The warm glow from the nearby lamp illuminated the baby's face, now crinkled in confusion and alarm. She had become so caught up in her exasperation that she had completely forgotten the delicate presence of the sleeping child, innocent and vulnerable amid her frustration.

She hurried to his crib, her heart heavy with concern as she approached the small wooden bed framed in soft pastels. The faint glow of the nightlight cast a warm halo around the little one, emphasizing the tears glistening on his cheeks. With a gentle, deliberate motion, she reached down and lifted him from the crib, cradling his fragile form in her arms. As she brought him closer, she could feel the soft fabric of his pyjamas against her skin, almost like a reminder of the innocence she sought to protect.