When Zahra finally made her way back inside, she found Nasseem in the kitchen. His chestnut strands were damp and fell over his eyes as he bustled about, seemingly lost in his task. Not wanting to disrupt his peaceful demeanor, she leaned back against the front door and observed her husband quietly humming to himself as he washed vegetables.

His loose shirt and low-hanging sweats exuded comfort. Zahra glanced at her dress, the only decent garment she had. With a slight pursing of her lips, she headed to change. A few minutes later, she emerged in an attire similar to his, before quietly approaching the kitchen.

"Um, can I help with anything?" her tentative voice broke the silence, startling Nasseem and he nearly choked on the food he was chewing. If Zahra hadn't been concerned about his well-being, she would have laughed at the comical sight of a carrot jutting out from his mouth.

After his coughs subsided, Nasseem cleared his throat and accepted the cup of water she handed him.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, thanks," he replied, his voice still slightly hoarse.

A hesitant smile tugged at her lips before she offered to help again. Not wanting to appear any ruder than he already did, Nasseem nodded in agreement.

As Zahra took charge of completing the salad, Nasseem focused on preparing the soup. Both worked in silence, respectfully ensuring they stayed out of each other's way. With each task accomplished, they set the table, placing utensils and dishes in their proper places. Finally, they took their seats across from one another, ready to share their first meal together without other company.

Both kept their eyes downcast as they began to eat, enveloped in the suffocating silence that hung between them. However, it didn't take long for Zahra to feel the weight of the quietude she usually reveled in pressing down on her. Determined to break the tension, she mustered the courage to speak up.

"Nasseem," she called out, her voice wavering slightly as he lifted his gaze, causing her to momentarily second-guess her choice. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "I want to apologize for dragging you into all of this. It wasn't fair to involve you in my problems."

Nasseem blinked in surprise, his gaze fixed upon Zahra, who steadfastly avoided meeting his eyes. It was the first time she had directly addressed him, speaking openly and honestly in his presence. It was also the very first time she had uttered his name.

"Zahra," he tested hers out loud as well, pretending he hadn't repeated it a million times in his head before. She didn't look at him still so he called her name again and watched her swallow. Then, as their eyes finally met, the vibrant blue of his gaze melted into the warm hazel of hers. He gulped. "I wasn't dragged into anything."

Zahra sighed, "I know how persistent and persuasive Warda can be so..."

Despite himself, a chuckle slipped past his lips. "Yeah. Very annoying and stubborn."

Taken aback, Zahra couldn't help the smile that stretched her mouth. "So, uh, I'm sorry."

Nasseem stared at her for a bit and cleared his throat when she started to squirm. "I'm only offering a helping hand. Don't worry too much about it."

"It's too late to say this considering we've already signed the papers but," she exhaled, "I feel like you're stuck with me...like I've ruined your chances at finding someone you love."

Nasseem hadn't even considered that when he'd accepted to help his sister's best friend. Yes, she nagged him for a while until he relented but he only had one goal in mind: help.

He smiled. "That's for me to worry about, Zahra. Honestly, I haven't even thought of it that way so don't be too hard on yourself. I'm busy with work and don't have time for anything else let alone relationships."

His words, however, seemed to deepen Zahra's sadness rather than alleviate it. The thought lingered within her, questioning how someone could be devoid of time for love. Yet, at that moment, the reality of her own predicament washed over her, serving as a harsh wake-up call. It reminded her that she was in no position to pass judgment on his life choices, as her own circumstances left her similarly constrained.

"Well then," her voice faltered before she took a sip of water to get a hold of herself. "I don't wish for us to remain strangers. I mean it's awkward and I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

Nasseem wiped his mouth and crossed his arms, leaning back against his seat. His gaze, intense and piercing, focused on Zahra, who visibly squirmed under its weight. Her leg bounced up and down, and her lips were pressed into a thin line. "It seems to me like I'm the one making you uncomfortable."

She squeaked, "What? No, no, no."

When he raised a brow at her, she deflated and interlocked her fingers on her lap. He balled his fists and willed his leg to stop shaking under the table. Why was he acting like a high schooler?

Zahra shifted in her seat. "Sorry, I just...don't know how to approach you."

"Honestly, neither do I."

Strands of chocolate escaped her messy bun and framed her delicate face. Her doe eyes were wide, darting all over the place.

Nasseem hummed. "Friends. Let's start with that. What do you think?"

As if he had just gifted her the world, Zahra's face lit up. Her timid grin tickled his heart, and he tensed. "Okay. Alright. Good." She reached over the table. "So, friends?"

Nasseem glanced at her outstretched arm before accepting it. He hoped his palm wasn't as clammy as it felt, but upon contact, he found hers warm. An involuntary grin brightened his face as they shook hands.

"Friends."