Nuha Salam was the daughter of Aisha Salam, a strong single mother whose life had not been kind to her.
Aisha had once been the beloved daughter of a wealthy family, until she fell in love with a street tout. Blinded by love, she ignored every warning. The man only wanted her because of her parents' wealth, and after getting her pregnant, he abandoned her without hesitation. When the truth came out, her father disowned her completely, cutting her off financially and emotionally. Overnight, Aisha was left with nothing.
Pregnant, heartbroken, and penniless, Aisha struggled to survive. With the help of her sister and a close friend, she slowly rebuilt her life. She never returned to the luxury she once knew, but she managed to secure a modest house, a car, a stable job, and most importantly, a safe and loving home for her daughter. She made sure Nuha never lacked food, clothing, or care.
Years passed, and Nuha grew into a fine young woman.
That morning, after observing Salat Subhi, Nuha walked into the kitchen, her hijab neatly wrapped, prayer beads still in her hand.
"As-salāmu ʿalaykum, Ummi."
Aisha looked up from the cutting board. "Wa ʿalaykum as-salām," she said warmly. "How was your night?"
"Alhamdulillah."
Nuha leaned in, kissed her cheek, then casually picked a slice of apple from the bowl.
Aisha smacked her hand lightly. "Hey!"
Nuha laughed. "What?"
"Have you brushed your teeth?"
"Yes," Nuha replied quickly. "Before praying."
Aisha raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. Are you sure?"
"Ummi," Nuha groaned, "I'm not five."
Aisha smiled softly. "You may not be five, but you're still my child."
Nuha shook her head, smiling, and reached for the knife. "Let me help."
As they worked, Aisha asked, "So… how's work?"
Nuha sighed dramatically. "Stressful."
Aisha glanced at her. "Stressful or exciting?"
"Both," Nuha admitted. "Meetings here, meetings there. 'Nuha, fix this.' 'Nuha, call that.' 'Nuha, arrange this.' Sometimes I feel like I run the whole company."
Aisha chuckled. "Alhamdulillah. At least you're learning."
Nuha leaned closer, lowering her voice playfully. "But Ummi…"
"Yes?"
"Rayyan Shuaib is too handsome."
Aisha laughed. "Astaghfirullah. Is that what stresses you?"
"I'm serious!" Nuha protested. "If Allah wills it, I'll marry him."
Aisha stopped cutting. "Nuha."
"What?" Nuha asked innocently.
"Don't rush into marriage."
Nuha frowned. "Why does everyone say that?"
Aisha sighed. "Because love without wisdom can destroy a life. Focus on yourself first. Promise me."
Nuha nodded slowly. "Okay, Ummi."
She soon went upstairs to dress for work. Nuha was indeed beautiful, elegant, intelligent, well-cultured, and naturally cheerful.
"Ahhh, so this house has food again!" Danish's voice echoed.
Nuha walked in and crossed her arms. "Is your own house under renovation or something?"
Danish laughed, chewing. "Why? Am I not welcome?"
"You come here like you own the place."
Aisha shook her head fondly. "Leave him. He's hungry."
"He's always hungry," Nuha muttered.
Danish grinned. "That's because I grew up here."
Nuha softened. "Unfortunately."
Danish laughed. He had always been like a son to Aisha and a protective presence in Nuha's life. He had grown up beside her, shielding her from bullies and chasing away every boy that came too close. No wonder she was still single.
Danish turned to Aisha. "Auntie, you know next week is my grandparents' anniversary."
Aisha's smile faded slightly. "I know."
Nuha had visited her grandparents a few times for special occasions. Though they loved her dearly, she was a reminder of their daughter's rebellion. Still, they treated her like a jewel.
Aisha, however, avoided those visits. Each time, she was reminded of her past mistakes and the pain she had endured alone.
"So you'll come?" Danish asked
Aisha hesitated. "Nuha will go."
Nuha looked up sharply. "What about you?"
Aisha avoided her eyes. "I'll be busy."
"Busy doing what?" Nuha pressed.
"Working."
Nuha sighed. "Ummi…"
"I've decided," Aisha said firmly.
" I'll get going, I'm getting late" Nuha said picking up her hand bag
" I'll drop you off" Danish said trying to hurry his food
" You know I can just go by myself" she said waiting at the doorstep, her hands akimbo
" Don't rush him, he could choke" Aisha said
" Tell her" Danish said and they chuckled
"I'll take my leave now" he said to Aisha as he stood up to leave
" Drive safe" Aisha said
" Trust me Auntie" he said
" Enough talking" Nuha dragged him to the car
" After you" he said jokingly as he opened the door for her and she got in
" I'm getting late you know" she said as he got in as well
"So," Danish began, starting the engine, "my parents are fighting again."
Nuha groaned. "About marriage?"
"Yes."
"You should just marry and rest."
He laughed. "Easy for you to say."
"I want a sister."
"Are you offering yourself?" he teased.
Nuha smacked his arm. "Disgusting."
Danish chuckled. "Why didn't you work at your grandparents' company?"
"I wanted my own path," Nuha said quietly.
He nodded. "That's brave."
They stopped in front of the tall office building.
Nuha opened the door, then paused. "You know, people might think I'm married to you."
Danish smirked. "Good."
"Why?"
"So no useless guy comes near you."
She smiled. "You're impossible."
"And you're late," he said.
She waved as he drove off.
Nuha adjusted the files in her arms before knocking once, firm and precise.
"Come in."
She opened the door smoothly and stepped inside. Rayyan's office was neat, structured, and quiet, the glass walls overlooking the city. The air felt controlled, like everything inside the room had a purpose.
She walked in without haste, heels barely making a sound on the floor, and stopped at a respectful distance from his desk
"Good morning, sir."
Rayyan glanced up from his laptop. "Good morning."
She stood straight, tablet pressed lightly to her side, eyes attentive but not intrusive.
"You asked to see me."
"Yes." He gestured slightly to the chair. "Sit."
She sat, crossing her ankles neatly, posture composed.
"I've reviewed today's agenda," he said, voice steady. "There's an overlap between the client review and the compliance meeting."
"I noticed that," Nuha replied. "I arranged a fifteen-minute transition window."
Rayyan nodded once. "That works."
She waited.
"The external auditors arrived earlier than expected," she added. "They're in the conference room."
"I'll meet them shortly."
She made a note.
Silence followed not awkward, just efficient.
"Ensure the presentation files are ready," Rayyan continued.
"They're already uploaded and printed."
He looked at her briefly, then back to his screen. "Good."
She stood. "Is there anything else, sir?"
"Confirm the logistics for tomorrow's briefing."
"Yes, sir."
She turned, walked to the door, and paused only when he spoke again.
"Nuha."
She turned back. "Sir?"
"That will be all."
She inclined her head slightly. "Understood."
The door closed softly behind her.
Nuha went back to her office to start work
"Miss Nuha!"
She didn't look up. "One moment, please."
Her phone buzzed.
"Miss Nuha, the auditors are asking for the financial appendix."
"I sent it ten minutes ago," she replied evenly. "Page forty-two."
Another voice cut in.
"Miss Nuha, the printer is jammed again!"
"Second floor," she said, fingers still moving. "That one's working."
Her phone buzzed again.
"Yes?"
"The legal team says clause seventeen needs revision."
"It was revised yesterday," Nuha replied calmly. "Tell them to check the updated draft."
A junior staff member hovered beside her desk. "Miss Nuha, Mr Shuaib needs the board summary."
She handed him a file without looking. "Blue tab. First page."
He paused. "You already prepared this?"
"Yes."
Another call.
"Miss Nuha, the conference room is full."
"Move the interns to Room 3B," she said. "Test the projector first."
She took a slow breath.
A colleague leaned closer. "Miss Nuha, aren't you stressed?"
Nuha finally looked up. "I am. I just don't let it show."
Her phone rang again.
"Yes, sir?"
"The auditors are questioning the schedule."
"They arrived early," she replied. "I'll address it now."
"Proceed."
She stood, adjusted her blazer, and walked away.
Behind her, someone whispered, "She holds this place together."
Moments later, at the Conference Room. Nuha was having a meeting with the Auditor
Auditor: "We expected these documents yesterday."
Nuha: "You received the preliminary version yesterday. The final was scheduled for today."
Auditor: "That wasn't made clear."
Nuha slid an email across the table. "It was sent at 4:18 p.m."
The room fell quiet.
Auditor: "Understood."
Nuha nodded. "Shall we continue?"
Auditor: "sure"
After the meeting she was walking in the Hallway passing Rayyan's office
Rayyan looked up. "Handled?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good."
She continued walking, heels steady, expression composed.