Noor's thoughts were a storm. She had walked away from Zayd, but it felt like the ground had been ripped out from beneath her. Every step she took felt heavier, as though the weight of the situation was pressing down on her chest. She hadn't expected things to unfold like this—not so quickly, not with so many questions left unanswered.
As she walked through the streets, the world around her seemed to blur. The laughter of children, the hum of traffic—it all seemed distant, unreal. The only thing she could hear was the pounding of her own heart, each beat a reminder of the decision she had to make.
She had never been one to shy away from tough choices. But this—this was different. This wasn't just about her future. This was about everything. It was about Zayd. It was about the life she had known. And now, it was about a truth that she wasn't sure she could handle.
---
At home, Noor shut the door behind her, leaning against it as if the world would just disappear if she stayed still long enough. She closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind, but Zayd's face, his words—they refused to leave. His plea to trust him echoed in her thoughts, but there was too much at stake. She couldn't risk everything for a man who had kept so many secrets from her.
Her phone buzzed on the table, and she flinched. For a moment, she hesitated, unsure whether to check it. But the temptation was too strong. She reached for it, and her heart sank as she saw the message from Zayd.
"I'm sorry, Noor. I know I've hurt you, but I swear, I only wanted to protect you. I'll do whatever it takes to make things right. Please, don't shut me out. I need you."
Her hand trembled as she read the message. His words, though heartfelt, only deepened the storm inside her. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe that he had only acted out of love, that he had kept her at a distance to protect her. But how could she trust him now, after everything?
She tossed the phone aside, burying her face in her hands. What was she supposed to do? How could she reconcile the man she loved with the dangerous world he was part of? The world that seemed to be closing in on them both.
---
That night, Noor couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Zayd's face—saw his sincerity, saw the vulnerability in his eyes when he had told her everything. But it was all too much. His family, their dangerous business, the people who were after them—it felt like an insurmountable wall she couldn't climb over.
But deep down, she knew one thing for sure: she couldn't run away from this. Zayd wasn't just someone she could forget. He had become a part of her, whether she liked it or not.
The next morning, she made a decision. She had to confront the truth. She had to face her fears head-on. And the only way to do that was to meet Zayd once more.