Loving You

chapter seven

"Hello, Hamsa." As Durdanah held the child in her arms, she knew it was Rania's daughter. She just knew and in that brief time, she had been so caught up that she'd forgotten her fear for but a moment.

Yusuf had been watching her intently and was surprised to see her reaction when she saw Hamsa's eyes and now his eyes shot up as he heard what she said.

No one had mentioned her name even once in the entire 3 hours that Durdanah had been at his place. And, Yusuf had told his mother that he wanted to be the one that introduced Hamsa to his future wife, no matter who she was.

And yet, this strange yet familiar woman knew.

"How?"

Durdanah was lost in the moment as she smiled at Hamsa. "Rania always wanted to name her daughter Hamsa. A swan, she said. She wanted her daughter, her baby to be a swan. A beautiful swan that would make people smile and stare at awe in her beauty."

"Duri?" Yusuf gasped. It was her.

Durdanah immediately looked up. Her suspicions confirmed. Only Rania and Yusuf had ever called her Duri.

But, if this is Yusuf, then what the hell was he doing trying to get married? And, where was Rania?

Durdanah nodded, not knowing what else to say as words failed her.

"What happened?" He asked gingerly, taking in her black hijab and abaya, lifeless eyes, scarred lips and sunken face. What had happened to her? This is why he hadn't recognized her. 

She shook her head, tears threatening to spill. She swallowed her tears and spoke.

"R-rania?" She choked, praying that Rania was okay. It had been years since she'd seen Yusuf or Rania. Eight, to be precise. The last time she'd seen the two was at their wedding.

Yusuf stilled, his face unable to mask his pronounced discomfort upon hearing her name. 

"I don't know." He sighed as he rubbed his face. "I don't know." He mumbled. "That's just it, Duri, I don't know." He exhaled as he ran a hand through his hair, refusing to meet Durdanah's eyes.

"Are you okay?" She asked slowly; hesitantly, after watching him silently for a few minutes. 

He shook his head, still not meeting her eyes. 

"What happened, Yusuf?" She asked quietly, emphasizing each word, spacing them just long enough for them to linger in the air.

"She left."

Durdanah's eyes widened at this revelation. What?

"She left? Are you out of your mind?" Durdanah didn't even care anymore. Where was Rania? Arham had done little to stop her sharp tongue and now it was making a comeback. He wasn't here to hurt her right now anyways. Where in the bloody hell was Rania? Yusuf was supposed to take care of her.

"She's gone. Has been for over a year now. She left me and Hamsa." His sad eyes looked into her somber ones. "For a man."

Durdanah couldn't fathom what she was hearing. Rania? Her Rania? Her smiling, bright, loyal Rania? Rania had loved Yusuf since she first laid eyes on him. She had been absolutely smitten with the man.

"What?"

Yusuf retrieved a folded letter from his pocket and handed it to Durdanah.

She stared at him in confusion before opening the letter.

Dearest Yusuf,

It feels weird calling you that. I'm leaving. I want you to know that it wasn't your fault and that I love you, Yusi and Hamsa. I've met a man. He's everything I ever needed. I hope you understand.