When Dreams meet Destiny

Chapter 32 : Unplanned Reunions

Yahya Ahmed leaned back in his office chair, a rare smile spreading across his face as he glanced at the schedule for the day. No meetings, no site visits, no obligations whatsoever. For the first time in what felt like ages, he had a day off. The thought of going home early to surprise his wife, Maryam, filled him with anticipation. It was a much-needed break, and he couldn't wait to spend some quality time with her.

Meanwhile, across town, Maryam was just finishing up some housework when her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and saw a message from her mother, inviting her to a family gathering that evening. The invitation was unexpected, but it warmed her heart—she hadn't been home in over a month, and she missed her family dearly. Just as she was about to call Yahya to inform him, the doorbell rang.

Maryam was surprised, wondering who it could be at this hour. She opened the door and was even more shocked to see Yahya standing there, a wide grin on his face. Before she could say anything, he stepped inside and pulled her into a tight hug.

"What brings you home at this time?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and delight.

Yahya looked at her with a playful glint in his eyes. "Actually, I was missing my wife," he said, his tone teasing. "So, I came home to hug her, kiss her..." He winked at her, his mischief evident.

Maryam couldn't help but laugh at his antics. "You're impossible!" she said, shaking her head.

"Just kidding," Yahya continued, still grinning. "I'm free today, so I thought, why not spend some time with my lovely wife?"

Maryam's smile softened as she remembered the call from her mother. "Sorry, darling, but your wife isn't available today," she said with a hint of regret. "I've been invited to a get-together at my mum's house. And you can't say no because it's been almost a month—no, more than that—since I last saw them."

Yahya's playful mood shifted slightly, not having expected this turn of events. "But... I was planning on spending the day with you," he said, trying to hide his disappointment. "It's okay, though. If you want to go, I'll take you tomorrow, and we can come back together."

Maryam shook her head firmly. "No, no, no! I want to go today. The get-together is tonight, and I'm planning to stay there until Sunday."

Yahya's eyes widened in disbelief. "What a joke! You'll stay until Sunday? No, I'm not allowing that. Three days without you? I can't do it!"

Maryam laughed at his dramatic reaction, but before she could respond, Yahya added with mock seriousness, "And by the way, I don't need an invitation to go there. I'll call Auntie right now and tell her you're not allowing me to come to her house. Let's see what she has to say about that!"

Maryam chuckled at his playful threat, shaking her head. "You're really something, you know that?"

Yahya grinned, pulling her close again. "I know. That's why you love me."

"And don't you forget it," Maryam replied, resting her head on his chest, the warmth of his embrace making her reconsider leaving him for the weekend.

But the thought of seeing her family won out, and she knew that, in the end, they would find a way to make it work. Because that's what they always did—no matter how unexpected the situation, they always found their way back to each other.

Yahya finally relented, allowing Maryam to go to the family get-together her mother had organized. It wasn't easy for him, but he knew how much these gatherings meant to her. As Maryam sat at her vanity, applying the finishing touches to her makeup, Yahya lay on the bed, his eyes following her every move.

She was almost done, carefully applying lipstick, when Yahya couldn't resist any longer. He got up, a playful smirk on his face, and walked over to her.