"Every shared moment builds the bridge of trust."

~ Unknown

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Ali stirred awake as sunlight seeped through the curtains, casting warm patterns across the room. The house was unusually quiet; for once, the usual hustle of daily life seemed to have paused. Ali glanced over at the clock. It was barely 7 a.m., and yet the tranquility felt right. Today was going to be different.

He turned his head to find Amira's side of the bed already empty. A fond smile tugged at the corner of his lips. She was always up early, no matter how late or challenging the previous day had been. He wondered what she was doing this morning; maybe she was downstairs preparing breakfast as usual. But today, he planned to surprise her. Today, he intended to build a bridge between them—brick by careful brick.

Slipping out of bed, he dressed casually in a light sweater and jeans, then made his way downstairs. He found Amira, predictably, in the kitchen, carefully moving around as she set the table. She was dressed ready for her university, her hair pulled back in a loose bun. There was something calming about the way she moved, as if she found peace in the small tasks.

"Morning," Ali greeted, watching as she turned to him with a soft, surprised expression.

"Morning," she replied, wiping her hands on a towel. "You're up early today."

He smirked, leaning against the door frame. "Thought I'd give you a bit of a surprise. How about you let me help with breakfast?"

Amira's eyes widened slightly, a mixture of confusion and appreciation crossing her features. She was used to handling everything herself, and the offer was both unexpected and... kind. "You? In the kitchen?" she teased lightly, raising an eyebrow.

Ali chuckled. "I know, it's a shocker. But I think I can manage pouring some tea and serving toast, at least." He moved forward, gently taking the tray of cups from her hands and setting it on the table.

As they worked side by side, setting the breakfast table, Ali noticed how her movements slowed around him, her body language more relaxed than he'd seen before. She stole a glance at him every now and then, her eyes filled with questions she wasn't quite ready to voice. Ali's presence, calm and steadfast, seemed to have a steadying effect on her. He knew he had to keep that feeling alive.

The rest of the family soon trickled into the dining room, filling the air with light chatter and laughter. Amira served them with her usual quiet grace, but this time, Ali was there to assist, making the moment feel more like a shared effort than her lone responsibility. They exchanged small smiles amidst the bustling meal, a silent acknowledgment of their newfound, albeit tentative, partnership.

After breakfast, Ali pulled Amira aside gently, his voice soft. "I was thinking, how about we go out today? You can pick the place."

Amira blinked, caught off guard by the invitation. "Out? Today?" She sounded almost uncertain, as if unsure what he was asking of her. "But you usually have work..."

"I took the day off," he interrupted, his tone casual but firm. "I thought it might be nice to spend some time together. Just you and me. No pressure. Just... normal."

She hesitated, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of being out with him. Her days were usually a mix of routines, dictated by duties and expectations. A day out for the sake of simply enjoying each other's company felt like an alien concept. Yet, something inside her wanted to say yes.

"Okay," she replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But only if we can go somewhere calm."

"Of course," Ali agreed without hesitation. "Anywhere you feel comfortable."

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of small preparations. By late morning, they were in the car, driving through the city. The air between them was filled with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. Amira chose a quiet park on the outskirts of town, one she used to visit with a close friend during her university days. It was serene, lined with trees and dotted with small ponds, offering a space for the mind to breathe.

They strolled through the park together, the sounds of birds and rustling leaves creating a soothing backdrop. The quietness between them was not heavy; instead, it felt like a canvas waiting to be filled with words. Ali glanced at Amira as they walked, noticing the way her eyes softened at the sight of the greenery.

"Do you come here often?" he asked, genuinely curious.

She shook her head, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Not as much as I used to. It used to be a place I came to... to think, to escape, I guess." She looked at him, trying to gauge his reaction.

Ali nodded, understanding the sentiment. "It's a beautiful place," he said simply. "I can see why you'd find peace here."

They found a bench near a small pond and sat down. A few moments passed before Amira spoke again, surprising both herself and Ali with her words. "You know, I had dreams once," she began, her voice thoughtful. "Big ones. But life... it doesn't always go as planned."

He listened attentively, sensing that she was opening up in a way she hadn't before. "What were they?" he prompted gently.

She paused, eyes fixed on the pond, gathering her thoughts. "I wanted to travel, to explore different places. Maybe even become a writer one day. Be independent, have a successful career." She let out a small laugh, almost mocking herself. "Silly, right? Life had other plans."

Ali turned to her, his expression serious. "That's not silly at all. Those dreams are still a part of you. And they don't have to be over just because life threw some curves your way."

She looked at him, her eyes filled with doubt and vulnerability. "It's easy to say," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "But how can I have dreams when my reality has always been... so harsh?"

Ali's heart clenched at her words, sensing the depth of the pain and struggle she was revealing. He took a deep breath, deciding to share a part of himself as well. "You know, I was angry when we got married," he confessed, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "I felt trapped, forced into something I didn't want. And I resented you for it, even though it wasn't your fault."

Amira turned to him, surprised by his honesty. He continued, "But then, I started noticing things—how you kept quiet even when you were hurting, how you handled everything thrown at you with such grace. It made me realize that I never really knew you, and I judged you based on what I thought I saw."

He looked at her, his eyes softening. "I don't want to make that mistake again. I want to know you, Amira. Not just the woman who was forced into this marriage, but the person with dreams, with fears, with hopes. I want us to be... more than just two people living under the same roof."

Amira felt her heart flutter at his words, a mixture of fear and hope surging through her. "I want that too," she admitted, her voice shaky. "But I don't know how to trust that things will change. I've been hurt so many times. It's hard to believe in anything good."

Ali nodded, understanding her hesitation. "I'm not asking you to trust me overnight," he replied gently. "But maybe we can start by taking small steps, by being honest with each other. I want to build something real with you, but I need you to meet me halfway."

She stared at him, his words sinking into her heart. Slowly, she nodded. "Okay," she whispered. "I'll try. But it won't be easy."

"Nothing worth having ever is," he responded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But we have to start somewhere, right?"

They sat there for a while longer, the silence between them no longer heavy but filled with the promise of possibilities. Amira felt a strange sense of relief, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. For the first time in a long while, she felt a spark of hope, fragile but real.

As they walked back through the park, Ali reached out, hesitating for a moment before gently taking her hand in his. She glanced at him, a question in her eyes.

"Is this okay?" he asked, his voice soft, his expression open and earnest.

Amira nodded, her heart racing. "Yes," she replied, squeezing his hand slightly. "It's okay."

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Diary Entry - [17.09.23]

Dear Diary,

Today was... different. Ali surprised me by taking the day off and suggesting we spend time together. I didn't know what to think at first. I mean, why would he want to spend time with me? But something in his voice made me want to say yes. Maybe it was curiosity, or perhaps a small part of me that wanted to believe things could be normal—whatever normal means.

We went to a park, a place that once held peace for me. It felt strange being there with him, but not in a bad way. We talked, laughed, and for a while, I forgot about everything—the fear, the past, the uncertainty. I found myself sharing things I hadn't told anyone, and he listened. Really listened.

He said he wants to build something real with me. I want to believe him. I really do. But part of me is still afraid, still holding onto the idea that this is temporary, that it's too good to last. Still... I agreed to try. And maybe, just maybe, that's a start.

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