"I thought about Imad travelling along with his aunt and cousin. It doesn't sound like a bad idea. If he wants to, why not?" Ahmed said.

"Maybe we could all travel together. Since there isn't really a reason to stay back..." I said, and cleared my throat. "I mean unless there is a reason."

"I suppose whatever you want," he replied casually.

"Oh, okay." I looked and sounded somehow disappointed, not that I was. I started fidgeting with my scarf, unaware of how silly I look. I could feel Ahmed's stare and quick glances at every red light. But there was the strange moments during the car ride, when my heart would beat a little faster at the thought of him looking at me, I felt like a teenager sitting next to her crush. I didn't know how to comprehend the excessive flattery, that Ahmed shared with his look or glances. Since we left the hospital yesterday, I have been thinking about what Ahmed said. Interpreting the phrase one to many times, my mind hurts from all the wondering and what ifs. My heart insecure, at the thought of a made-up love story.

All that thinking eventually lead me to a pit of negative thoughts, where I was a student and suddenly my thoughts became my teachers who scolded me for not doing well by people. When I mean people I mean to say Adil, he deserves so much better — a chant it became. Yesterday at the hospital when the only way I could accept Adil's pain is to blame myself... Ahmed was was there, he cared and helped. Maybe I finally did find a friend in my husband.

I delicately press the home bottom on my phone and the time read 4:00 o'clock on my lock screen. We are heading over to Sarah's place for tea, she invited us over. It's been a while since I thought of my mother's passing, no I haven't forgotten her. I just forget that she's actually gone sometimes, to live in a world without your mother is... I don't think they have come up with a word to describe that particular pain.

Alhamdulliah.

"Layla," Ahmed said my name, I unforcedly looked at him.

"Na'am [Yes]," I answered.

"Nothing," He says, and his distinctive smirk forms on his face.

"I want to pursue my career," I confessed.

"You went to a university?" He asked, somehow amazed and his tone laced with eagerness.

"Yes I did," I replied, and quickly looked out of the car window.

"I never knew that."

"It's not really a big deal," I said and paused. "I just want to start dreaming again, and drawing."

"You're an artist," he stated.

"You could say that. I am an architect... Well that's what I studied for," I replied.

"That's amazing," he spoke, his tone slightly laced with excitement.

"Thank you," I said.

"You don't have to thank me," he said in a resonant tone. "It's the truth, you are amazing."

"Okay then. But if I can't thank you, how am I supposed to show you that I am grateful for your compliments or other things..."

"You can smile. That's how I'll know," he said and quickly glanced at me. I did smile, and shifted my gaze and looked at my phone. Hiding the fact that I am blushing. I then looked ahead and observed the neighborhood we entered, they were big light-brown houses that all looked big enough to be called mansions. They all looked similar but distinguished by their different gates. We pulled over in front of a huge gold and black gate, with a flowery metal pattern. The door automatically opened, and Ahmed drove in. The car pathway was by a beautiful small garden with a large fountain and it had a lot of diverse flowers.

When the car was parked, and as I was getting out, I started second guessing about what I wore. A simple white dress, with black strips that has a belt similar to the dress material tied into a bow and a peanut-like color for my hijab.

As we walked side by side, Ahmed clasped my hand interlacing our fingers. You could say that made me more nervous, but secure. We walked to the front door, a huge wooden door. I looked at Ahmed and smiled, he smiled back. He rang the door bell, and a lady wearing what looked like a uniform answered the door. She welcomed us, (I assumed she's the maid) and lead us to the garden. The exterior design of the house was lovely, it was classy and chic. There was a crystal chandelier and beautiful antiques as well.

We got to the garden through the glass sliding door, by the dinning room. The back garden isn't much different from the front just that, it's more wider and doesn't have a fountain. There were decorations hanged around, and helium balloons and suddenly, Imad and Rayna started yelling 'surprise!'. I looked at Ahmed who was grinning and then he looked at me, "Happy Birthday Layla," he said in a modulating tone. It's my birthday? Oh it is my birthday. I can't believe I forgot about my birthday. I was speechless, not because I didn't know what to say, but because I was in complete awe. So that's why Imad insisted that he goes out with his aunt today, even though he just came out of the hospital yesterday. Ahmed has been acting different, but now I guess I know why.

Imad ran to me and hugged me, "Happy Birthday! Did you like the surprise?" He spoke excitedly.

"Thank you habibi. Like it? I love my surprise," I said and kissed him on the forehead.

"Happy Biryhday khala Layla," Rayna wished me as well.

"Thank you Rayna," I said. "Where's your mum?"

"She's getting ready," She replied.

"Okay," I said. We walked to the center of the garden, where a round table was placed under a sizable patio umbrella. On the table there was different types of pastries. Ahmed and I sat next to each other.

"You forgot your own birthday?" He asked.

"Yes, well it's not like I do much on my birthday. Usually I would go to dinner with my parents or Hudaa. I don't think I have actually had a party," I explained.

"That's also a nice way to celebrate your birthday," he said.

"Yeah."

After twenty minutes, Sarah joined us in the garden. She wore nothing fancy, blue jeans and a mustard-yellow top, with embroidered colorful birds. Her hair tied in a ponytail. "I am sorry I'm late. I had to take care of some business," She said and stood besides me. I stood up and hugged her. "Happy Birthday," she said while she stopped hugging me.

"Thank you for planning the surprise party," I told her.

"Anything for my sister, besides it was all Ahmed's idea. Oh before I forget." She reached out to the middle of the table and picked up a purple gift-bag. "This is for you," She said and smiled.

"You didn't have to get me a gift..."

"No this is not from me, it's from your thoughtful husband. I just had to pick it up from the shop." I looked at him and smiled.

"No thank yous. Right?"

"Yes," he replied. Sarah sat on the other side of the table, most of the time texting on her phone. I took out a box from the gift bag, I opened the box and it's a gold watch, and some parts of it white. It's stylish and sparkling. "To keep track of all the good times to come. So far I have enjoyed every minute with you..." Ahmed said. I took out the watch from the box, Ahmed told me to look at the back of the watch. It's engraved:

Time has a wonderful

way of showing us what

really matters.

"You should try it on," Sarah said.

"May I?" He leaned forward. I couldn't help but smile, as I watched him put the watch on my right wrist.

"It's lovely," I said, keeping my eyes on the watch, too shy to look at him. "Can I say thank you?" I asked.

"You don't have to Layla," he replied while staring into my eyes. I hugged him, briefly.

"You two are adorable," Sarah complimented. "I don't know if I have told you before but your children are going to be so cute, insha allah." I could feel my cheeks flush, my hands now clammy and I just sat there unable to say anything.

"We aren't planning on having kids any time soon," Ahmed said.

"I am just saying," she said and changed the subject. "Ahmed, Adil is going to get married soon." There was a silence at first, no one said anything.

"So when's the wedding?" Ahmed asked.

"Next month. I won't be in Dubai so I am not attending the wedding. Khala Jamila is so happy that his son has decided to marry Aisha."

"Aisha?" His facial expression changed.

"Yes Aisha Yaseer," Sarah confirmed.

"That's great," he replied.

"Lets cut the cake," Sarah said and got up from her chair.

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

"Yes I am fine," he replied.

"Do you know the girl he's getting married to?"

"Yes she's our cousin," he replied.

Only after a few minutes the cake was brought and kept on the table, a two tiered cake — with pink frosting and fresh-flowers arranged all round the cake. It looked delicious and appealing. Besides his efforts, I knew Ahmed was bothered by something. Suddenly his smile was fading. I cut the cake while everyone was singing the Happy Birthday song, Ahmed fed me a small piece of cake and so did Imad. We then started having the other pastries that was on the table and a pot of tea was brought as well.

"I really appreciate everything everyone has done for me. I am grateful to have you all in my life," I said, in the midst of everyone eating.

"Aw Layla, we are glad to have you in our lives as well. I hope my brother reminds you, that we care about you, you're family," Sarah said. Imad started laughing abruptly.

"Want to share the joke with us Imad?" I asked and looked at him.

"Uncle Ahmed loves you," He said and started giggling along with Rayna. Ahmed held my hand, I turned to look at him.

"Yes I do love Layla," he admitted, while looking at Imad. "Very much..." Then he shifted his gaze, and looked at me.

❤️