On a quiet morning in a city that still felt foreign to Rahaf, she and Tala sat together on the balcony after breakfast, each holding a cup of tea, with a silence gently trying to hide a deep inner ache.
Tala looked at her sister and said: "I feel you're completely unfocused. Is something troubling you?"
Rahaf sighed, her gaze fixed on the empty air in front of her, and quietly replied: "I've been thinking about Yazan…I can't stop missing him. And Karma too I miss her so much…but I can't talk to either of them now; it's just not the time."
Tala regarded her with understanding and asked: "Why? At least check on them."
Rahaf gently shook her head and said calmly: "They're at the beginning of their marriage, and I don't want to be the cause of any tension… And frankly, I'm trying to forget him, because if I speak to him or allow myself to think of him again, I'll be betraying Karma, even if she doesn't feel it."
Tala fell silent, then reached out and lovingly touched her sister's hand: "But it's not right for all these feelings to stay trapped inside you have to let them out eventually."
Before Rahaf could respond, their father, Essam, called from inside: "Rahaf! Can you come in a minute?"
Rahaf entered the living room where her father was seated comfortably, reviewing some papers. He looked up and smiled softly, saying: "I wanted to talk to you about something."
She sat quietly, waiting for him to continue: "You graduated from the Faculty of Commerce with top marks, and I have a job in my company that requires precision in accounting. The business has expanded, and having you here with me would make a big difference, so I'm thinking of offering you a position."
Rahaf was surprised by the offer at such a complicated time. Calmly, she replied: "Thanks, Dad… but allow me to think about it, and I'll get back to you later."
Essam nodded: "Take your time I won't pressure you…but honestly, I'll feel reassured if you're by my side."
She smiled softly and returned to her room, uncertain if she had the clarity to decide while still trapped between flames of her old love…
Meanwhile, at the Main Train Station, Yazan stepped off the last carriage, suitcase on his shoulder, sweat dripping down his forehead. The city's bustle and the crowd's anonymity were starkly different from the quiet of his village.
He stood outside the station, waving at passing taxis to no avail. The streets were crowded, and drivers ignored him.
Moments later, a sleek black car pulled up beside him. Its window rolled down to reveal a friendly young man in his late twenties, impeccably groomed with neatly combed hair and sunglasses.
he said kindly: " You look lost in the crowd, Need a ride?"
Yazan hesitated briefly but took the cue and climbed in: "I'm Rayan, an architect. And you?"
A faint smile widened on Yazan's face: " I'm Yazan… I just traveled from the countryside and arrived here. Pleased to meet you."
As the car navigated the traffic, Rayan asked: " So, what brought you here?"
Yazan paused, then quietly said: "I lived in a small village. I dreamed of working in engineering, but faced many obstacles… life there became stifling."
Rayan listened intently: " Are you an engineer?"
Yazan nodded softly: "Yes… I graduated in Architecture and always dreamed of big projects."
Rayan smiled lightly: "What a coincidence I'm also an architect, and I own Rayan Group. You may have heard of it."
Yazan, surprised, replied: " Of course I have! I always dreamed of working there."
Rayan chuckled: " Seems fate brought you to me today. Want to start working together? Try it out, and if you feel comfortable, continue."
Yazan's eyes widened he felt as though a life-changing opportunity had appeared from nowhere. Suppressing excitement, he responded: "I accept."
Rayan nodded: "Great. Give me your number and take the company address. Start tomorrow but first, tell me, where are you headed now?"
Yazan smiled: "To Al-Waha Hotel, please."
Rayan teased affectionately: "From this moment on, we're friends. No formalities needed."
Soon they arrived at a modest yet clean hotel. Yazan got out, thanked Rayan warmly, and headed up to his room. The mixture of exhaustion and hope filled him as he walked.
Once inside his room, he sat on the bed, retrieved his phone, and called Zaid:
Yazan smiling for the first time in days: "I've arrived, Zaid… and I think the real beginning is finally near.
That Evening at Anas's House, Anas sat on the sofa, scrolling through photos on his phone, as Karma walked past without glancing at him.
After a moment, he spoke softly with veiled longing: " Not going to speak? Are we going to live in the same house like strangers?"
Karma remained quiet. He got up and approached her with a forced smile: " I am not your enemy, Karma… I am your husband. Why won't you give me a chance?"
Karma finally spoke, her voice cold: " I'm here because of a certain circumstance… not because of feelings."
His face twisted briefly, then he sneered sarcastically: "So you rescued him… and buried yourself for someone who keeps deceiving you."
She didn't respond, but he caught a glimmer of pain in her eyes. He broke the silence, returning to his seat: "At least make yourself clear… so I can decide whether I continue like this… or change everything."
The conversation ended, yet inside both of them, a silent struggle raged one fighting to escape a love that hadn't died, the other determined to prove that what he took away could turn into reality.
To be continued…