After what felt like forever, Farzan slowly stretched out his hand and placed it gently on Fatima’s cheek.
Fatimah’s body stiffened but she did not move away
His voice softened. “I don’t want a loveless marriage too.”
Fatima’s eyes lifted to meet his.
“If nothing works between us after a few months… or even a year,” he continued, “then we can go our separate ways. But I believe that if we open our hearts and stay together, love is bound to happen.” He paused briefly. “And if it doesn’t… then we will part peacefully.”
Fatima blinked. “Really?” she asked softly.
“Of course,” he replied. “Just like you don’t want a loveless marriage, I don’t want it either. There’s no point staying where there is no love.”
Fatima hesitated, then asked softly, “And… my marital rights? Will that… happen before you let me go?”
Farzan shook his head gently. “Like I told you yesterday, I won’t touch you until you are ready. I won’t force anything. And if you are never ready… and we later realize we are not compatible, then I still won’t touch you until you leave.” He said and withdrew his hand slowly. “We shouldn’t rush things. Let’s just allow things to happen naturally.” Then he added, more quietly, “But trust me… whether I love you or not, I will not hurt you. And if I ever do, it will never be intentional.”
Fatima looked at him for a long moment, then smiled softly. “Thank you,” she said. “You’ve always been there for me… directly or indirectly. I just want to say it again thank you.”
Farzan said nothing. He lowered his hand completely, and just then, the call to prayer echoed around them. “It’s time for prayer,” he said.
Fatima nodded, her smile still lingering. “ It’s time for prayer,”
_
_
Later that night, when it was time to sleep, Fatima held on to a small hope that after what happened in the morning, Farzan would choose not to share the bed again but that hope faded quickly.
Farzan entered the room, walked straight to the bed, and lay down as if nothing had changed. “Why are you still standing?” he asked, looking at her.
Fatima hesitated. “I thought… you wouldn’t want us to share the bed again tonight.”
“I never said that,” he replied.
“Your actions did,” she said quietly.
Farzan sighed lightly. “Well, those were just actions. I didn’t say anything. So we’re sleeping together again tonight.” Then he added with a hint of warning, “But if you drool on me again or come too close, I’ll wake you up immediately and push you to the ground.”
Fatima frowned slightly but said nothing.
“What? Do you have an opinion?” Farzan asked
“I am afraid history might repeat itself. What happened yesterday may happen again,” Fatimah replied
“We are not sleeping separately… that is final,” Farzan said, turning to the opposite side
Fatimah had no choice. She moved closer and lay beside him.
They both sat up, said their prayers softly, and wished each other goodnight.
Sometime in the middle of the night, Farzan stirred. Something felt uncomfortable. When he opened his eyes, he realized why.
Fatima was once again pressed close to him just like the night before. His face was buried lightly in her hair. For a moment, he considered pushing her away but he didn’t. Instead, he stayed still watching her
Even though she was so close to him, he felt no stirring of desire. What he felt was something entirely different… calm, protective, and steady.
He watched her quietly. The truth was clear to him. What he felt for Fatima was not passion… at least not yet. What he felt was care. A quiet sense of responsibility.
He wanted to protect her… to guide her… to be someone she could rely on. A place she could return to when the world became too heavy. Nothing more and nothing less.
After a while, he gently moved her back to her side of the bed… he was so careful as though he was dealing with something fragile
Then he got up. He arranged his travel bag, then spread his mat and stood to pray. He needed clarity and guidance for everything happening in his life.
At exactly five in the morning, Fatima woke up.
She performed her ablution and prepared for the Subh prayer. After praying, she went back to their room to arrange his travel bag but when she got there, she realized he had already arranged most of his things.
Then she went to the kitchen, intending to prepare something for him before his journey, she decided to make him something warm. At least… he should not leave on an empty stomach.
She had just started when Farzan returned from the mosque.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“I want to make you some coffee,” she replied. “You shouldn’t travel without eating or drinking something.”
Farzan shook his head. “No, don’t worry. I don’t like eating before traveling. It usually upsets my stomach. And besides, it’s just a few hours’ journey. I’ll be fine.” Then he stepped closer to her.
For a brief moment, he stood near enough to notice her presence… the quiet warmth around her. “Don’t forget to call me,” he said softly.
“I won’t forget,” Fatima replied softly. “I’ll call you every day… if possible.”
Farzan nodded. “And if you need anything, let me know.”
“Okay,” she said.
“If I’m not reachable, you can tell Ummah or Abba.”
“Alright.”
He looked at her more seriously. “And if you’re sick, go to the hospital. You’re alone in this apartment, so don’t ignore anything. Take care of yourself before you go to bed. Okay?”
“I will be careful,” Fatima assured him.
Farzan slipped his hand into his pocket and brought out his wallet. He opened it and pulled out a card, extending it toward her. “Take this. You can use it to get whatever you need. Don’t worry about the money… spend on whatever you need.”
Fatima’s eyes widened in shock. “I… I don’t need that,” she said quickly. “You’ve already bought everything for the house. I won’t be needing much.”
“I insist,” he said firmly, placing the card in her hand. “As your husband, it’s my responsibility to take care of your needs, no matter how small. So take it.”
Fatima hesitated, then slowly accepted it. “Thank you…” she said softly but deep in her heart she knew she wouldn’t touch the money
“I’ll be waiting for your call when I get to England,” he added.
“And I’ll be waiting for you too,” she replied.
There was a brief silence before Farzan spoke again, his tone softer. “If we want this marriage to work, there are things we need to start doing… even if it’s not always, at least sometimes.” He paused, then asked gently, “Can I hug you?”
Fatima felt her cheeks grow warm. “Yes… you can.” she said but quickly looked away
Farzan stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her. Fatima stiffened at first. She had never been this close to a man before, never been held like this. It felt unfamiliar, strange… yet not entirely uncomfortable.
Slowly, unsurely, she remained in his arms, her heart beating faster as she tried to understand this new feeling.
After a while, Farzan gently released her, stepping back slightly. For a moment, both of them stood there in silence, an awkwardness settling between them. Neither seemed to know what to say next.
Just then, one of the big screens lit up. They both turned to the screen. In the screen was Habeeb
He glanced back at Fatimah’s face. “Habeeb is here,” he said.
Fatima looked away immediately, her cheeks warm with shyness. She could no longer meet his eyes. “Are you leaving now?” she asked softly.
“Yes,” he replied. “My flight is by eight, so I need to get there early.”
“Okay…” she said.
He picked up his bag and Fatimah moved closer to take it from him. When she tried to carry it for him, he stopped her. “Let me handle it,” he said.
Fatima nodded and followed him quietly toward the door.
A strange feeling filled her chest… something she didn’t understand. It felt like… she didn’t want him to go. Like she was already missing him before he even left.
Just as they stepped outside, Farzan turned to her. “You don’t have to follow me any further,” he said gently. “Today is Monday, you should be getting ready for school.”
She nodded slowly. “ I wish you a safe journey,”
“Thank you,” he said. “I’ll call you when I arrive,” he added.
ale of an Orphan Chapter Twelve Silence followed. Deep and heavy silence. Neither of them spoke for a while, as if both were trying to understand everything that she had just said.
