She entered the office with steady steps, despite the tension she was trying to hide. She sat before Rayan and handed him her file with a hand that was unable to escape trembling.
Rayan flipped through the papers swiftly, his eyes capturing details, while his expression remained unreadable.
He looked at Rahaf deliberately, then said quietly: "Have you ever worked as an accountant in a company before?"
Rahaf answered, tense: "Yes, I used to work in my father's company intermittently."
Rayan smiled and said: "That means you don't need training, does it?"
Rahaf replied quickly: "Of course. I'm very competent, and you'll see that over time."
Rayan continued asking her questions until he finally said calmly: "Thank you, Miss Rahaf. We will be in touch within two days to inform you of the result."
She nodded, thanked him, then left the office with a heavy heart. The response wasn't negative but it didn't give her the certainty she had hoped for.
At the end of the day, Rayan finished his late work, being the last to leave the company; so he didn't take Yazan with him.
He entered his car, set his phone aside, and started the engine. But before moving, he heard soft knocking against the glass.
He turned, only to see a girl standing beside the car, her eyes anxious, her voice quiet: "Excuse me, can I ask for a ride? It's urgent, and I don't have any transportation right now..."
He studied her features for a moment, then nodded: "Please, get in."
She got in silently and thanked him shyly. She wore a dark coat, carried a small bag, and her face showed signs of weariness. The drive passed without much conversation, save for a few short directions from her. But from time to time, she glanced at him with fleeting looks, as if watching his reaction.
When they reached her destination, she got out quickly without looking back. She didn't know there were two eyes burning with jealousy watching her as if those fleeting glances could alter the course of a life.
Rayan continued his journey as if nothing had happened. But when he parked at home and before turning off the engine, he noticed something on the back seat, a burgundy women's shawl left behind by the girl.
He picked it up, turned it over in his hands, and examined it closely. It wasn't an ordinary shawl it featured fine hand embroidery and carried a strange scent. He stared at it thoughtfully, then placed it down and walked away as if nothing had happened.
Elsewhere in the city, Yazan was talking to his family via video call. He sat before the laptop screen, and images of beloved faces appeared on the other side.
Mother, Farida: "Yazan, my son, you look pale. Are you eating well? Are you sleeping regularly?"
Yazan laughed and said: "Mom… I'm okay, believe me; it's just work pressure."
Zaid joined the call excitedly: "Tell me about your new company! Are you designing towers yet? Or not yet?"
Yazan: "I worked on a small project and succeeded. The manager is named Rayan. He's very respectful, and we've become friends."
Then his father, Tarek, moved before the camera and in a stern fatherly tone said: "I'm still not convinced that you left the farmland and work with us but if you're determined, prove you made the right decision."
Yazan: "I promise you, father I won't let you down."
Farida interrupted with tenderness: "We miss you so much, my son. The house feels empty without you."
Yazan paused for a moment, then quietly replied: "I miss you all very much too, Mom. Are there any news about Karma?"
Zaid: "No, Yazan. I think she's happy with her husband, but nobody knows many details about her."
Yazan looked at the screen quietly, felt a pang inside but didn't comment. He only said: "Okay. I'll try to reach out soon. Goodbye."
He ended the call, stayed alone, staring at the black screen, and then exhaled slowly, as if affirming his choice in his heart.
After two days, Rahaf woke earlier than usual but stayed in her bed. She continued staring at her phone, waiting for a notification any notification.
Time moved incredibly slowly. Her eyes never left the screen.
Finally… a new notification appeared. Her hand trembled as she opened it. It was a message from Rayan Constructions.
She tapped, and the message read...
To be continued…