Nuha slumped in the passenger seat, still buzzing from the day.
"You'll never believe it, Nawal," she said, exhaling. "Rayyan… he saw me working late. I mean he usually stays professional, right? But today…"
Nawal grinned. "But today?"
"He… he told me to go home early, rest. He was concerned! Can you imagine?" Nuha's cheeks flushed slightly. "I was drowning in love!"
Nawal laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, please. You're hopeless."
Nuha groaned. "I swear… I try to stay professional, but...ugh, I don't know what to do!"
Nawal turned into the parking lot. "Come on, forget work for a while. I know a place to make you feel human again."
At the restaurant, the table by the window sat Nuha and Nawal, menus in hand, the soft clatter of plates around them.
"Finally," Nuha sighed. "A little peace."
Nawal's eyes flicked to the other side of the restaurant. "Well, hello, Kaysan," she murmured casually.
Nuha froze. Her ex. Her temperamental, unpredictable ex. Handsome, confident, and apparently enjoying himself across the room.
"Relax," Nawal said, noticing Nuha's stare. "We'll eat. Nothing more."
Nuha knew Nawal had planned this. she'd insisted on this restaurant, knowing he'd be here. Nawal was calm, collected, sipping her drink like she hadn't a care in the world. Nuha could practically read her mind.
As Kaysan and Nawal's eyes met, Nuha rolled her eyes and check her wrist watch
" Look, it's time for Isha" she said as Kaysan approached them
"I'll just… go find somewhere quiet to pray." Nuha said excusing herself from the two love birds
Nuha stepped quietly onto the balcony after making hudu, pulling out her prayer mat. The night air was cool, the city lights faint below. She positioned herself and began her prayer.
Her mind tried to settle, focusing on each word, each movement. "Just finish your prayer" she told herself. "Then you'll deal with whatever's out there."
Halfway through, she caught a whiff of smoke. Frowning, she opened her eyes slightly, but kept her posture, her voice calm in prayer. A faint silhouette leaned against the railing. She couldn't make out the figure in the dim light, but the pipe in his hand glowed faintly. There was a distinct Z engraved on it.
Her throat tickled from the smoke, but she didn't break her focus. She finished her prayer completely, reciting the final words, grounding herself in calm. Only when she stood and rolled up her mat did she finally address the stranger.
"Excuse me," she called softly, but firmly. "Could you move back? This smoke—"
The figure didn't respond, leaning casually against the railing. She took a step closer.
Her phone buzzed—it was Nawal calling. She ignored it, concentrating on the man in front of her.
"Sir…?" she began, trying to make her presence known, though the darkness hid his face.
The man exhaled smoke, the curl drifting toward her. He didn't move.
Nuha clenched her fists briefly, took a slow breath, and prepared herself. "Stay calm. Don't panic. Handle this."
Before she could approach further, the call from Nawal went unanswered again. Finally, realizing she couldn't do both, she let the stranger remain for a moment and returned to meet Nawal at the restaurant entrance, keeping her voice steady but slightly anxious as she recounted the encounter.
"There was a guy on the balcony… smoking, Z on his pipe! I think he was trying to—ugh! It was creepy!"
Nawal chuckled softly, patting her hand. "Okay, okay… breathe. Let's eat. Stress mode off."
They drove back, the city lights flickering past.
"Seriously, Nuha, you should try settling down. You're not getting younger," Nawal said casually.
Nuha rolled her eyes. "Nawal!"
"I mean it! Look at me and Kaysan. Broke up three times, came back together. We survived."
Nuha frowned. "Why did you break up this time?"
"Because I saw him heading into that restaurant with someone. I thought he was cheating. So I confirmed… he was with his cousin. All good now."
Nuha blinked. "You actually… thought he was cheating?"
Nawal smirked. "Yeah, I know. Silly, right?"
Nuha shook her head. "You're ridiculous."
Nawal leaned back. "And you? With Rayyan… come on. You're in love, aren't you?"
"I… it's not like that," Nuha said quickly, looking away.
"Nuha Salam," Nawal teased, "he likes you. You're obvious. But even if he doesn't, don't think you can't find another job. Many places better than that. Don't waste your life waiting."
Nuha sighed. "I just… I can't risk my job. And he might like someone else…"
Nawal raised an eyebrow. "Have you seen any lady around him?"
"No," Nuha admitted. "Only this one… who always visits. No one else is allowed in his office when she's there."
"Maybe she's his sister. Cousin. Friend. Don't assume the worst."
Nuha chuckled, remembering college days. "You always know how to tease me, Nawal."
"And you always take it," Nawal replied, grinning.
They got home and Nawal ran to hug Aisha
" As salam alaikum" she said
" Walaykum Salam dear" Aisha said
" How was work?" Aisha asked them as the came in
" Mine was good but someone is exceptionally happy today about work" Nawal said nudging Nuha shoulder
" Finally no more peace and quiet in this house" Nuha teased
" Hey, what do you mean by that. Auntie, Nuha indirectly insulted me" Nawal joked
" Nuha" Aisha said
" I'm not apologizing, I didn't insult her. I just stated fact" Nuha said
" Apology accepted" Nawal said.
" I didn't even ..... Nevermind" Nuha said and Aisha smiled watching them act like kids
"You girls ate?" she asked
"Yup," Nuha said.
"Freshened up?" Nawal added.
They went upstairs. Nawal prayed, then joined Nuha on the bed, watching her send her schedule to Rayyan.
"You know," Nawal said, leaning back, "you could try your luck with him. He clearly cares."
Nuha shook her head. "If he doesn't like me back… I could lose my job."
Nawal laughed softly. "Then find another job. You're amazing. You know why you're there—it's because of him. Don't waste time overthinking."
Nuha frowned. "Even if he has someone he likes?"
"Maybe. Or maybe not. Don't assume things."
Nuha shrugged, smiling faintly. "I guess…"
They talked a bit more about college, teasing, memories, and quietly laughed themselves to sleep.
The first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, painting the room in soft gold. Nuha stirred awake, stretching lazily before sitting up on the bed. Nawal, already up, was brushing her hair, humming softly.
"Good morning," Nuha mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
Nawal grinned. "Morning, sleepyhead. You slept well?"
"As if you'd let me sleep in," Nuha replied, rolling her eyes.
Nawal laughed. "True. But don't worry, I'm feeling generous today. You can wake up at least five minutes later than usual."
Nuha groaned dramatically, then got up. Together, they performed their morning prayers, the quiet of the early day wrapping around them like a warm blanket.
Afterward, they moved to the kitchen to help Aisha prepare breakfast. The smell of coffee brewing and pancakes sizzling filled the air. Flour dusted the counter as Nuha tried flipping a pancake. It landed slightly off the pan.
"Miss clumsy strikes again," Nawal teased, flicking a small puff of flour at Nuha.
"Hey!" Nuha shot back, laughing as she picked up another pancake. "I am the daughter! You should be helping me, not bullying me."
Aisha turned from the stove, smirking. "You two behave like little kids. Nuha, you're supposed to be grown up. Let her win for once."
Nuha pouted jokingly. "I'm the daughter! Why do you treat her more than me?"
Nawal raised an eyebrow. "Treat me more? Come on, you love this chaos. Admit it!"
Nuha rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "Maybe a little."
Aisha chuckled, adding, "She'll never change, Nuha. You know that. Just enjoy the madness while it lasts."
The three of them laughed, and soon the kitchen was filled with playful shouting, clattering plates, and the smell of sizzling breakfast.
They finally sat down to eat. The sunlight poured through the window, catching Nawal's hair and making it glow.
"I'm serious," Nawal said, gesturing with her fork. "I'm opening a boutique soon. You'll see, it's going to be amazing. All my designs, all my style, right here in one place."
Nuha leaned back, smirking. "Knowing you, Nawal, you'll wear everything yourself before you even think of selling it. I can see it already. Fashionista problems."
Nawal laughed heartily. "Exactly! I call it quality control. Someone's got to test my designs."
Aisha nodded in agreement. "I support you, Nawal. You'll do well."
Nuha leaned on her hand, pretending to sulk. "You see that? You're treating her like she's the daughter, and I'm standing right here!"
"Aw, Nuha," Nawal teased, poking her shoulder, "you're like a child sometimes. You can't do without us, can you?"
Nuha laughed despite herself. "I guess not."
They ate and joked, sharing stories and teasing each other like a small, chaotic family.
The door opened and Danish stepped in, greeting them with, "As-salamu alaykum."
"Wa alaykum-salam," they replied in unison.
He scanned the table, a playful frown forming. "Eating without me, I see. Forgotten me because Nawal is here?"
Nawal raised her hands defensively. "I was here first! We lived more than you, remember?"
Nuha giggled. "And apparently, we matter more too!"
Danish mock groaned, flopping into a chair. "Unbelievable. I feel neglected."
The four of them laughed, passing plates, teasing, and gisting, feeling like one big family. Danish leaned in suddenly. "Auntie, you have to plead with my mum. She's forcing me on a blind date with one of her friend's daughters. I don't want to go."
Aisha raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Go on, Danish. You might like her. What's the harm?"
Nuha and Nawal exchanged mischievous glances. "She's probably the opposite of your type," Nuha said, giggling.
"Or maybe five years older," Nawal added. "Adults have terrible taste when it comes to choosing partners."
Danish groaned, covering his face with one hand. "You two are impossible."
A knock on the door announced a visitor. Zafir, a handsome middle-aged man, entered, greeting them with, "As-salamu alaykum."
"Wa alaykum-salam," they replied.
The girls went upstairs to get dressed for work, with Danish following reluctantly. Nawal teased from behind, "He wants to see you change. Total pervert."
Danish ignored her, peeking downstairs instead, curious why Zafir had come. He wondered what the man, who was meant to be Aisha's husband in the past, had to do with the morning chaos.
Zafir was Aisha's closest friend, the man her parents had chosen for her long ago. Though she had not loved him, he had always been respectful and supportive, especially during her darkest times. She had kept her distance from him over the years, knowing he still harbored feelings, and he had stubbornly insisted that if she didn't marry him, he would marry no one else.