As the car made its way home, Aisha sat quietly, gazing out the window, her mind racing. The mention of the evening party had left a subtle ache in her chest—a reminder of the countless times she’d been left out of Omar's social gatherings. She tried to dismiss the feeling, reminding herself that she’d grown accustomed to it. But tonight, something felt different.

Once they reached home, Aisha headed to her room, hoping not to overthink things. She resolved to settle in for a quiet evening as usual. Yet, as she began to unwind, Omar’s voice startled her.

"Aisha," he called out.

"Yes?" she replied, trying to keep her tone steady.

He had followed her into the room, his gaze unexpectedly warm. "I wanted to see if you’d like to come to the party tonight."

She blinked in surprise, momentarily lost for words. "I... are you sure?"

"Yes, of course," he replied with a reassuring smile. "Sara and Faraaz will be there, and I thought it might be nice if you come along"

A spark lit up inside her, and her heart raced at the thought of being included. "I’d love to go," she whispered.

A faint smile crossed Omar's lips. "Good. Be ready by seven."

As he walked away, Aisha felt a mixture of gratitude, excitement, and a cautious optimism that tonight might truly be different.

Omar didn’t fully understand why he felt the need to invite her this time. He told himself it was only because Sara might question her absence. But deep down, he knew that was just an excuse,he wasn’t ready to accept the shift in his feelings toward his wife.

---

By six-thirty, Aisha was almost ready, wearing a simple yet elegant purple abaya and matching hijab. She kept her look modest, but as she gazed at her reflection, she couldn’t deny a sense of pride. She wanted to look her best for this unexpected evening.

At precisely seven, Omar knocked on her door. He had already gotten ready and taken a call, leaving Aisha to prepare in peace. Now, standing there in a sharp suit, he looked at her with softened eyes. "You look... nice," he said, the compliment slipping out before he could stop himself.

Aisha blushed slightly, nodding. "Thank you."

On the way to the venue, Omar and Aisha exchanged occasional glances, both adjusting to this unfamiliar rhythm. Sara sat in the back, wearing a green evening gown with a flowing skirt and subtle lace details, exuding sophistication.

"Why isn’t Azra coming?" Sara asked, breaking the silence.She was curious,Because Faraaz had asked her to be his plus one.

"She’s visiting her sister. She won’t be back until tomorrow," Omar replied, catching Sara’s gaze in the rearview mirror.Making her nod in understanding.

The party was lively, filled with laughter, music, and the unmistakable hum of success. As they entered, some of Omar's colleagues greeted them, their eyes briefly flickering with surprise at seeing Aisha by his side. But she was too absorbed in the thrill of the moment to notice.

At one point, as Omar was deep in conversation, Aisha drifted toward the dessert table and picked up a piece of chocolate mousse, savoring it.

Moments later, Omar approached her, seemingly unable to keep his distance. He wasn't sure himself if it was simply because she looked stunning or because he wanted to make up for the time he left her alone at home. But deep down, he knew it was more.

"Come, let me introduce you to someone," he said, extending his hand toward her.

Aisha glanced at Omar’s outstretched hand, then looked up at him, hesitating for a brief moment before slowly slipping her hand into his. He gave her a reassuring smile and led her toward a distinguished couple in their fifties, who were standing with a group of other guests. Noticing Omar’s approach, the couple politely excused themselves from their conversation and turned to greet him.

After a warm exchange of pleasantries, Omar introduced them to Aisha. "This is Mr. Neil Reed, CEO of Oscar Group, and his wife, Mrs. Helen Reed," he said.

Aisha greeted them both with a gentle smile and a soft, “Hello.”

Mr. Reed returned her smile warmly. "It’s lovely to finally meet you, Aisha. We've heard much about you."

Mrs. Reed’s gaze lingered on Aisha for a moment, and then she turned to Omar with a sincere expression. "Mr. Siddiqui, your wife is absolutely radiant. You’re a lucky man. The two of you make a beautiful pair."

Omar’s face softened as he nodded, replying with a simple, "Thank you."

Aisha’s cheeks flushed slightly, her heart swelling with a quiet happiness. Moments like these, filled with warmth and acceptance, felt surreal. And as the evening unfolded, with more gentle gestures and shared smiles, she felt a growing sense of belonging, of finally being seen by Omar.

Later, as they sat down for dinner, Omar watched Aisha engage with Sara and a few other women. A quiet realization washed over him. He’d always avoided bringing her to parties after the first time, thinking she would embarrass him. But now he understood,it wasn’t Aisha who was an embarrassment. It was his own shame. He’d been ashamed of abandoning his religious beliefs to fit into this world of sophistication and elegance.

A deep sense of regret settled in as he realized the connection he had denied with his wife, all because of his own negligence.

---

In the car ride home, Omar and Aisha sat in comfortable silence. Sara had drifted off in the back seat, and in that quiet moment, something unspoken passed between them,a hint of a new beginning or perhaps a long-overdue understanding.

When they arrived home, Omar looked at Aisha and softly said, "Thank you... for tonight."

Aisha’s heart swelled, realizing that for the first time, they weren’t just two people sharing a life,they were beginning to feel like a team. "Thank you too," she replied gently, knowing tonight had been more than just a party; it was a first step toward something deeper.

Sara cleared her throat from behind them, grinning teasingly. "Alright, lovebirds. You have all the time in the world tomorrow. I’m off to bed. Goodnight."

Aisha and Omar exchanged an awkward glance. "I’ll go change," she said quickly, hurrying to her room, her heart pounding from all the unexpected emotions.

Omar stared at her retreating figure until she disappeared into her room. With a sigh, he turned toward the kitchen, grabbed a cold bottle of water from the fridge, and drank it in slow, steady sips, trying to calm his frayed nerves. His emotions were in turmoil. Just days ago, he’d been irritated by her presence, finding reasons to keep his distance. Yet now, all that seemed to be slipping away, replaced by a gnawing guilt and a strange new tenderness he couldn’t explain.

Why had he shut her out for so long? How had he allowed himself to be so cold? The questions circled in his mind, each one cutting deeper. It hadn’t always been like this. Somewhere along the way, he had convinced himself that she would demand too much from him—time, attention, things he wasn’t willing to give because his business was everything. He had built it with relentless effort, believing it justified all the sacrifices he made, including his marriage.

But now, as he stood there in the quiet of the kitchen, it hit him with startling clarity,Aisha had never demanded anything from him. She had respected his boundaries, kept her distance as he’d once told her to, and never imposed herself on his time. She only ever asked him about the essentials—his meals, his sleep, the things necessary to keep him going. She hadn’t pressured him for grand gestures or even a fraction of his attention. She had simply, and quietly, fulfilled her role, doing her part to support him since the day they married.

The weight of it all pressed down on him. He’d been blind to her patience, her quiet kindness, and the resilience she showed in the face of his indifference. For the first time, he could see her as she truly was,not the burden he had imagined but someone who had been there for him all along, even when he’d given her nothing in return.

The realization settled over him, heavy and humbling. He couldn’t continue treating her with coldness. She didn’t deserve it, not after everything she had quietly endured. Something inside him had shifted, and he knew, with absolute certainty, that he couldn’t let things go on like this. It was time to change,to finally treat her with the respect and kindness she deserved.

Exhausted, he went to their bedroom, only to find Aisha praying, her quiet whispers filling the room.After changing he laid on the bed, eyes closed, but his mind was restless, replaying the moments that had passed between them.

He knew Aisha had finished her prayers when he heard her turn off the lights and slip under the covers beside him. Assuming he was asleep, she leaned close and quietly recited Ayat-ul-Kursi, softly blowing the protection verse from the Quraan over him.

The gentle breath on his face stirred him, and he opened his eyes to see Aisha leaning over him, her face close, eyes intent with focus. Surprised, she froze, wide-eyed, clearly caught off guard. She’d been doing this for him, night after night, and he’d never known. A flash of embarrassment crossed her face as she hurried to pull away, but in her rush, she lost her balance and stumbled, landing against his chest with a muffled gasp, her hair spilling over his face.

Omar lifted a hand, gently sweeping her hair back and tucking it behind her ear, their eyes meeting in a moment of unexpected closeness. He couldn’t help but smile, a hint of amusement in his gaze as he asked softly, "Kya kar rahi thi?"
(What are you doing?)

Aisha blinked, flustered, but managed to stammer out, “W-wo… Ayat-ul-Kursi padh k dam kar rahi thi aap pe." Her words were quiet, hesitant, as if she feared his reaction. Would he brush it off? Turn away? She braced herself for him to dismiss her gesture.
(I was blowing the protection verse over you?)

But to her surprise, Omar simply asked, “Hogayi?” His voice held a warmth she hadn’t expected, a softness that felt almost foreign. She nodded, her heart racing as he continued to look at her with a depth in his eyes she couldn’t decipher.
(Done?)

“Okay… Thank you,” he murmured, his tone laced with more meaning than the words alone. He wasn’t just thanking her for tonight; he was thanking her for all the silent gestures, the quiet kindnesses he’d overlooked, and the loyalty she’d shown despite his indifference.

Aisha, unsure how to respond to this unexpected gratitude, gave a quick nod, moved back to her side,then closed her eyes, eager to escape the intensity of the moment and the flutter of emotions it stirred.

But Omar didn’t look away. He watched her for a while longer, the weight of her simple ritual settling over him. How many nights had she done this, safeguarding him in her own way, even as he kept her at arm’s length? A pang of regret swept through him, shame mingling with awe as he realized he had misjudged her so deeply. She had been protecting him all along, even when he’d done nothing to deserve it.

As he lay there, a sense of quiet resolve grew within him. He couldn’t erase the past, but he could try to honor the love she’d so selflessly given,starting with simple gratitude, and maybe, if he could find the courage, something more.

----------------------------------------------------

Note: Assalamualaikum & Hello! ❤

1. Questions for Readers:

A. Omar is finally reflecting on his actions and is realizing what he has been doing wrong.... do u think he will improve his ways with his wife?

B. Anddddd... They are finally getting close... Oh my heart... Did you guys enjoy reading chapter 13?

The spoiler reel for the next chapter is coming on Instagram tomorrow!!
Make sure to go follow and watch it. (siya_m_writes)

2. To All Readers: Please share this story, vote, and leave comments on each chapter. Your feedback means a lot!

3. Reminder for Muslims: Remember to keep praying consistently. If you haven't prayed today, take some time to do so. Jazakallah Khair! (Thank you so much) ❤