When Best Friends Love

CHAPTER FIVE: STRIKE WITH AWE.

Two months Later...

Their relationship grew stronger everyday. She fell deeper in love with him every passing day. Falling in love with him was like entering a house and finally realizing she's home. When his eyes are locked on hers, it's like She can see galaxies instead of just pupils. Having him in her life makes her feel like everything's possible in this world, like she can conquer anything. She doesn't regret accepting him and she knows he might be her first but what she really wishes in life is for him to be her last.

When she sees him, it's as if space and time become the finest point imaginable, as if time collapses into one tiny speck and explodes at light speed. It's as if her universe begins and ends with him. She could run forever, search forever, but in the end, every path leads right back to his heart and soul.

Life was satisfying for Maryam.

It was a peaceful day at work, she just finished a ward round with her father and her colleagues. It was tiring but she loved doing that. She went back to her office to pray Asr. She stepped into the office and saw a huge bouquet of roses and a box of her favorite chocolates. "Omg," she stood in awe, her heart swelling up with his love.

Sweet flowers and chocolates for a sweet soul.

-Capt Mahmud.

Her jaw immediately dropped when she read the note. Mahmud sent it? Not Mujahid. She was happy but a bit disappointed. She heaved a sigh and kept the card on her table before sauntering into the bathroom to perform ablution. She came out some minutes later same time her phone started ringing. She rushed to answer, thinking it was Mujahid. She shrugged and kept the phone back. She has been avoiding Mahmud's calls for only God knows how long. He still wasn't back and she got angry about it because he didn't have her time. She didn't care anymore ever since her and Mujahid started seeing each other.

It was like having another Mahmud. But he smiled less, joked less, talks less and cared a bit less than mahmud. But she loved him that way. She offered her prayer and sat on her office chair. The buzzer of her phone went off and she quickly picked up beaming. "Salamu Alaikum," she murmured as if she wasn't alone. "Wa'alaikumus Salam. Babes, how are you? How's work?"

"Work is stressful, but I'll be closing soon," she replied resting her back on the chair. "Let me get back to you in a minute," he said and cut the call. Her sigh was of a softly deflating; it was as if a tension had lifted yet left her with a melancholy instead of relief.

She picked up her things and left the clinic. On her way home, she bought her mom's favorite cake.

"Mommy, I'm home," she announced, entering her mother's room. "Maryam? How was the ward round?"

"It was great Alhamdulillah. I bought cake for you," she said, keeping the box of cake slices on her side drawer. "That was very thoughtful of you. Now go take a shower and rest."

• •

"Happy Birthday," Aydah squealed and hugged her. "You didn't forget about my birthday?" Maryam asked hugging her back. "You're so sweet," she added. "I'd never forget your birthday, urgh you're so old now, get married already." Maryam rolled her eyes, beaming.

"So, about you and Yaya Mujahid, how are things going?" She asks with much concerned. "Well I don't even know. He's always busy," she shrugged. "But I understand, everything will be fine."