I woke up and turned over to look at Ahmed, I traced his face and then held his hand. He is the love of my life. How did everything fall into place with all the ups and downs, I never thought it would be possible to feel so safe and so at peace. Alhamdulilah. I still can't describe the immense happiness I get from being with him... I looked at him, not wanting to wake him, I slowly let go of his hand. "How long have you been staring at me?" He asked, his voice raspy and eyes still closed. A smile spread across my face, and I held his hand again.

"Not for long," I replied.

"My wife," He said and opened his eyes.

"Yes husband," I said, in an ardent tone. He kissed my hands.

"I had a dream about you," he spoke, in a rather modulating tone.

"What was I doing?" I asked, curious to know more about the dream.

"Your eyes were shining so bright."

I smiled, and stopped looking into his eyes.

"And that sweet smile."

"You are such a flirt," I told him, and looked at him.

"I know that." He winked. "When we go back home. I was thinking maybe we could build our home from scratch." He sat up and stretched his arms. I got out of bed and decided to stand by the bed.

"What do you mean?"

"Make our home, where we grow old together. I thought it would be a good idea if you design it, after all you are an architect." He answered calmly.

"Are you serious? Where is this coming from?" I asked, still in disbelief. Slowly excitement started building up.

"I want us to have a home where we can create new memories as a couple. Like a fresh start."

"That sounds amazing. I would love that," I told him.

I paced back and forth, mentally planning the house. I went over to his bed side and sat on the edge of the bed, I started fidgeting with my fingers.

"Fidget with your fingers when you are nervous," Ahmed said. I looked at him and sighed.

"That I am... I haven't used my skills as an architect in a long time. I am just worried I won't be as good."

"You won't be doing it alone, I will be there every step, every decision, we will do it together. Take your time, you don't have to decide right away..."

"I want to do this, it will be my first project. My first project designing a home for my family: Imad, your mum and you,"I said and looked at him. "It's perfect."

"And our children," he said.

"You've already thought of that?" I asked while smiling.

"You haven't?" He asked, his tone laced with wonder.

"I have..." I replied in a quiet tone.

"I want my first born son to be called Khalil," He said.

"Well then I'll pick our daughter's name," I told him.

"Of course," He said.

...

It's exactly four o'clock, it read on the watch on my wrist. Where is he? I thought to my self. Standing outside the house - I couldn't help it but overthink. "Layla can we wait inside," Ahmed said. I quickly looked back at him, as he held my shoulders. I checked my watch again, it's three minutes past four.

"I am really excited to see him. They said they would be here by four," I told him.

"And they will be. Maybe they got held up in traffic," Ahmed tried to make sense of it all. And he was right, yet his rationale explanation didn't convince me to go back in the house.

"Hey," he turned me around to look at him. "I love you."

"You better," I said and smirked. "We should go back with them, to California."

"Is that what you want?" He asked in a concerned manner.

"Yes... I think. I am just..." I spoke hesitant. A car pulled up on the drive through, I averted my attention to the car. Without thinking twice I ran towards it, the back door opened and Imad came out and after him, Aisha?

"Layla!" Imad yelled, while he paced to me and hugged me. I bent down and kissed his cheeks.

"I missed you very much," I told him.

"I missed you too," he replied, with a grin. "Aunty Aisha is so cool she bought for me candy, and toys."

"Aw that is so nice of her," I said. "Did you thank her?"

"Yes I did," He replied and nodded his head up and down. "Uncle Ahmed!" He yelled and ran to him. I stood up and approached Aisha.

"Assalam alaykum," I greeted her.

"Waalikum salam," She replied.

"I thought Sarah was bringing Imad," I said.

"Yeah she was, but she had an emergency to take care of," Aisha clarified.

"Is she okay?" I asked.

"I am sure she will be. Sarah didn't tell me much, just that it's an emergency," She said, seeming uninterested to talk to me.

"I hope it's nothing grave."

"Probably it's a work emergency," She said.

"Do you want water or some snacks for the ride back?" I asked her assuming that she's leaving.

"No thank you... Actually I wanted to speak to Ahmed for a little while," She said, her gaze occasionally at Ahmed.

"Okay," I said in a low tone. "So how's Adil?"I asked trying to make small talk.

"Who?" She asked, her eyebrows knitted together.

"Adil your fiancé?" I specified.

"Oh you mean my adyy, sorry I am so used to calling him by his nick name. He's okay alhamdulilah," She replied. Adyy?

"Layla!" Ahmed called out my name.

"Na'am," I turn around and see him holding Imad's hand.

"We are heading inside," He said and pointed at the house.

"Okay sure," I yelled back. As Ahmed and Imad made their way inside the house, Aisha walked past me, heading for the house as well. It's strange, but I have a weird feeling about her. When we got inside, Aisha approached Ahmed and started talking to him. I went over to where Ahmed stood and held his hand.

"It's a shame you won't make it for my wedding." She quickly glanced at our hands and then cleared her throat.

"We have to get back early," Ahmed told her and looked at me.

"Yeah..." I added.

"How about you two ladies get to know each other and I go entertain Imad before he gets bored," Ahmed said and slowly let go of my hand. I widen my eyes and nervously smiled at him. He nodded approvingly and walked away.

"So I heard you were Imad's nanny," Aisha said. Maybe Adil already told her everything.

"Um yes I was," I replied. "Do you want a cup of tea?" I asked her.

"No thank you," she said. "So Ahmed just fall in love with you?"

"Yes I suppose you could put it that way. I mean to be honest we couldn't stand each other but everything is planned by Allah s.w.t and it just fall into place," I told her.

"Hmm, well I am happy for you guys. Especially for Ahmed after all he's been through, he deserves happiness."

"That's really nice of you." I lead her to the sitting room and sat on the couch that faces the beautiful scenery of the ocean. We started talking about our university experiences and the careers we majored in. Aisha is a lawyer, a corporate lawyer. She explained to me what it's all about and how much she makes. The small talk did not last for long.

"I am sorry but I really need to talk to Ahmed. It's important," She changed the topic in the midst of our conversation.

"Is everything alright?" I asked her, she seemed very anxious.

"Yeah... it's just that I should get going now. I just wanted to talk to Ahmed before I left," She explained.

"Let me go call him then," I told her as I stood up. She stood up as well and said she's go to get Imad's backpack from the car. I walked towards the bedroom and I saw Imad siting on the bed along with Ahmed, both indulged on what was playing on the laptop. Probably a movie.

"Ahmed," I called his name.

"Yes," He replied and looked at me.

"Aisha is about to leave, she wants to talk to you," I said. Ahmed got out off the bed and kissed me on the forehead before he left the room. I decided to join Imad, and watch whatever he is watching on the laptop. I got on the bed and sat next to him. It's a movie, a cartoon. Took me a while to understand what was going on. Imad started laughing hysterically, hearing him laugh just reminded me of how much I missed spending time with him.

"What is it Aisha?" I asked her, as I approached her.

"Here," She said handing me Imad's back pack. "I know I am getting married and I should be happy but I don't think Adil is not over Layla. He always speaks highly of her, seeing you two together makes it harder than it already is..."

"What are you trying to say?" I asked her.

"I think I might have feelings for you, it's pathetic and it's too late. I know. I am getting married, and you're already married," She spoke, in away reassuring herself.

"I love Layla... I don't know what you expected me to say or do," I told her.

"I don't even know why I am telling you any of this..."

"If you aren't in love with him. Why are you getting married to him?"

"I am pregnant Ahmed, and it's his. And if my father ever knew he would disown me, probably even kill me. I am glad Adil is excited for meeting his baby at least. We met up one day and one thing led to another. I can't get myself to get rid of the baby, I wouldn't be able to live with myself... I can't help but think where we would be if I hadn't denied your proposal," She explained, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I am sorry, but whatever happened, happened for a reason. Sorry for what you are going through..." Aisha cut me off and spoke.

"Don't be. You were a close friend and telling you things somehow made me feel better. Don't get me wrong, I am happy for you... I should get going," She spoke, her voice breaking. She quickly wiped her tears and faked a smile.

"Yeah... Take care," I told her. She walked away and so did I. Her story doesn't make sense, Adil would never do such a thing, he has his principles. This just doesn't seem right.

❤️