2. Falling in love

Rumaisa used to video chat with Hadi every night. There was not very much time left for Hadi's graduation.

That evening, Hadi was having a conversation with Rumaisa. He was telling her about his return. When he heard a voice saying, "Mama, can I go now?" Rumaisa turned her phone towards Masooma unconsciously, and Hadi's gaze followed where Masooma was standing. She was wearing a yellow-colored salwar suit adorned with artificial flower earrings, a floral crown on her head, pink lip gloss on her lips, and light makeup enhancing her pure face. She had a chiffon dupatta draped over her shoulders and a faint smile on her lips. She looked incredibly beautiful, and Hadi was taken aback by her appearance.

"Yes, dear. Take care. " Masooma nodded her head, saying "Allah hafiz," and left. Rumaisa turned her attention back to Hadi and asked, "Sorry, son, what were you saying?"Hadi struggled to find the right words to respond. Masooma had left, but her presence seemed to have stirred up a whirlwind of emotions in his heart.

Hadi didn't pay much attention to that incident that day. He thought it was just a minor attraction that he felt upon seeing a beautiful girl. However, he was greatly surprised by Masooma's transformation.

Hadi had completed his graduation, and now he was planning to surprise his mother by coming back home. He knew there was an extra key placed in the flowerpot by the front door. He took the key and entered the house. At this time, Rafik was at the office, and Masooma was at college. He trod softly towards the interior of the house. The sound from the kitchen drew him in that direction. However, upon reaching there, he was taken aback once again.

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As the world outside was enveloped in a veil of gentle rain, Masooma, blessed with a day off from her college studies, found herself drawn to the soothing rhythm of nature's symphony. The cool breezes, carrying the scent of petrichor, danced through her open window, creating an ambiance of tranquility and serenity.

Leaving her assignment aside, she had gone to the kitchen. Rumaisa was at her friend's house, so Masooma decided to make crispy fritters and two special cups of tea before her mother returned. It felt like Masooma had found a new motherly figure in Rumaisa's form. To her, Rumaisa was everything—mother, father, friend, sister. Rafik also showered her with immense love. Tying her long chiffon scarf around her waist, she began preparing the fritters, humming a tune from her heart. While mixing the batter with the vegetables, her hair swayed gently with each movement.

Suddenly, Masooma sensed that someone was staring at her. She turned around, first feeling a bit startled, then surprised. Both of them locked eyes for a moment.

It had been three years since Hadi had seen Masooma in person. He remembered the day when she had listened to him talking to his mother, and he had been happy. He didn't want any misconceptions to fester in her heart.

After that day, Masooma rarely showed up in front of him. Now, three years later, he was seeing her again, and he couldn't look away. She was not the same girl he had married for his mother's sake and later decided to divorce. She was someone else entirely. When he saw Masooma, it felt as if the princess of his dreams had stepped out of his fantasies and materialized before him.

Seeing Hadi staring at her, Masooma averted her gaze at first, then turned back to her work. "Mama isn't at home right now. She went to her friend's place," she informed while getting back to her tasks. Hadi's stern expression softened, and a sudden smile broke out on his lips. He suddenly remembered that this girl was his wife. He took a step towards her, his heart filled with an indescribable emotion.

His steps seemed to guide him on their own, bringing him closer to her. He reached Masooma and paused, a smile forming on his lips as he gretted, "Assalamualaikum."

"Walaikumus as-salam," she responded with reluctance. She didn't even bother to look at her. She continued with her work; her hands paused for a brief moment as Hadi approached.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine."

Hadi continued the conversation, "How's your study going?"

"Good!" she replied.

"Aren't you going to college today?" Hadi asked. 

"It's a day off," she answered.

Hadi realized that Masooma didn't want to talk to him. She didn't even look at him for once.

His handsome and charming face, captivating personality, and remarkable achievements had always garnered him attention from everyone, and he had never encountered anyone reacting to him in such a manner before. Already, he was spoiled with extreme love and attention. But all of this made him even more rude and selfish. Little did he realize that, not too long ago, he himself had been oblivious to her presence. Perhaps today was the first time in his life that he was conversing with him.

However, her ignoring his presence like this was something he found quite unsettling. The smile faded from his lips, and his brows arched. He started to look at her more intently, trying to figure out if she was ignoring him or not.

As he scrutinized her face, he realized her face exuded innocence and purity.

Just as he was lost in his thoughts, Rumaisa's voice brought him back to the present.

"Haaddi!" Rumasia exclaimed. Since she couldn't believe that finaly, she was seeing her son in front of her own eyes.

Overwhelmed by a surge of joy, Rumaisa could barely contain her happiness. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she extended her arms towards Hadi, her heart brimming with affection. Hadi, his gaze lingering on Masooma for a moment, reciprocated his mother's embrace, the warmth of their reunion spreading through him like a comforting wave.

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