ROUHI

eleven

The next morning, Saaqib was confused to the core of his brain why his feelings and thoughts had decided to take a 180 degree turn. He forced himself out of bed the second time he woke up, to have breakfast with Hafsa. Hafsa was amused but didn't let it show.

Saaqib had given into Rasheed's requests of smoking but he didn't keep his store closed. He remembered Hafsa's lie. On the way back from the store a little late at night, he picked up some pink flowers from the small garden of a generous neighbour. He was kind of excited to give them to Hafsa. He knocked thrice but she didn't answer. His frustration was building up, along with his fear of something happening to her again. "Hafsa! Hafsa, you there-"

Hafsa opened the door. Relief floodied through Saaqib's his heart but anger overwhelmed his mind. "What took you so long?!" Hafsa stepped back snd looked down at her intertwined fingers. "Answer me!"

"It's-It's very late-te and you usually come even later-"

"So?"

"-Those robbers that d-day, they..." Hafsa didn't have to continue. Saaqib looked at the time and felt like shooting himself in his wound.

"Sorry."

Hafsa nodded, whispering an okay. A world full of apology couldn't make up for everything Saaqib had let her endure. This reminder was his motivation towards the righteous path. He would become better for Hafsa.

Hafsa was staring at the flowers. "Oh, I... brought you flowers. I don't know what their name is but they're pink. You like pink. Right?" Hafsa nodded shyly, receiving the flowers with the gentlest hands.

"They're beautiful, Saaqib."

"I'd thought that too but- Hafsa quirked a brow -now they look dead hideous in front of you." At this, Hafsa chuckled and then started shaking with laughter, covering her mouth with her free hand. "What?"

"You've become adorably cheeky. First the angels, now the flowers." She shook her head and continued grinning. Somehow, her merry smile tugged corners of Saaqib's lips upwards and soon he had too broken out into a toothy grin.

"Thank you so much." Hafsa cautiously stepped forward and embraced him in a hug, which Saaqib tightened, snaking his hands around her back.

"We should go out on a date some time," Saaqib suggested. "Five star hotel, steak, roses, jacuzzi. All imaginary, though. Is that fine?"

Hafsa hit him lightly on his shoulder and shook her head while suppressing a big smile. Saaqib smiled even more and pressed a kiss below her ear, enjoying her warmth.