Only You

eight

The week had gone by in a flash, It was a Sunday evening and I was having tea with my mom. Where I decided to bring up Dr. Khan but indirectly.

"Ma, would you ever consider marrying a man that has a child."

"Well, it depends...Has he married already?" she asked.

"Let's say he's divorced, but he's young- like 29 and his child is also young- like 6 months or so."

"I would also want to know the reason why he got divorced- so I don't put myself in a risky position." She added.

"Well...I don't know, but we'll say it wasn't a critical reason. Maybe it was just the wife and not the guy who was at fault or something."

"I would consider talking to this guy and getting to know him first. Observe him and then contemplate on telling him how you genuinely feel after you see who he is."

"Ah." I took a sip of my tea.

"And then consider telling your mother who this guy is." she smiled.

"Ma, it's no one." I tried brushing it off.

"I see through you, honey. Tell me is it somebody from the hospital?"

"Yes, but I'll observe and then let you know if he's worth being taken in consideration of." I chuckled.

-

Monday we were told to come in early for a meeting. I supposed it was for the new schedules.

I wore a long maroon flowy skirt with a rose gold sweater and hijab. I tucked in the sweater and wore black pointed-toe flats. I also applied some makeup, and then left for work.

When I arrived at the conference room I opened the awfully quiet room. I came inside to see the whole round table empty besides our lead who sat looking through some papers with a serious face.

I couldn't help but look at him for a while. He wore a maroon shirt with a gray tie. His notable black coat hanging on his chair.

I walked to my seat and prayed with all my might that someone else came in.

"Dr.Siddiqui?" I heard him say.

My head slowly turned towards him.

"Dr.Hughes has called you and I to a meeting in his office at 12."

"Do you know what for?" I asked.

"Not really." He replied.

"Alright," I said.

A moment of silence passed.

"Thank you for returning my coat to me." He spoke cutting the quietness of the room.

My heart came up to my throat.

"Thank you for giving it to me the other day," I stammered.

Talk more! Talk! Talk!- I thought to myself.

"How's Haniah doing?" I decided to ask.

" She's healthy now, back to normal." He answered.

"That's good, is she your daughter?" I asked, even though I kind of knew the answer. I felt so shaky.

"Yes, she is." He smiled faintly.

He smiled! Oh my god.

"She's adorable," I added.

"Yes, she's at a very cute age."

I didn't know what else to say, so I started praying that someone walked in. But a tiny part of me desired to stay alone with him. Just when I contemplated saying something else- the door opened to reveal two voices conversing.