As the sun began its descent, painting the sky in a tapestry of vibrant colors and casting a warm golden glow across the horizon, Nasseem's weary footsteps echoed on the porch. 

It had been another long day of hard work on the farm, and exhaustion had settled into his bones. He approached the front door, ready to collapse onto the couch and rest his aching body.

But as he reached for the doorknob, his tired eyes caught sight of Zahra sitting on the porch, her figure silhouetted against the fading daylight. A gentle breeze tugged at her hair, causing it to sway softly around her face. She turned her head, her eyes meeting his, and a soft smile spread across her lips.

Surprised and intrigued, Nasseem's weariness momentarily lifted, replaced by a spark of curiosity. He released the doorknob and walked towards her, the wooden planks of the porch creaking beneath his steps. As he drew closer, he could see the anticipation in her eyes, the faint glow of excitement illuminating her features.

"Hey," he greeted. "What brings you out here?"

Zahra's smile widened, and she motioned for him to take a seat beside her. "The sky looked too good not to be appreciated," she replied, her voice soft and filled with a hint of vulnerability. "I thought it would be nice to enjoy the evening breeze and watch the sunset."

Nasseem's fatigue seemed to dissipate further as he settled down beside her.

Together, they sat in comfortable silence, their shoulders barely touching. Warmth radiated from his body and chased the chilly breeze away. Zahra hugged herself tighter.

The air was filled with the sounds of nature—chirping birds, rustling leaves, and the distant murmur of the farm in the background. The rhythmic swaying of the trees mirrored their own quiet connection as if the world around them understood the importance of this moment.

Zahra's presence was a soothing balm for Nasseem's weary soul. The worries of the day seemed to fade into the background, replaced by a sense of calm and contentment. The weight of his responsibilities lifted, if only temporarily, as he allowed himself to be present in this shared space.

When the sun dipped lower, he stole a glance at her. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon, captivated by the beauty unfolding before them. He marveled at the way her features seemed to glow in the fading light, the way her existence brought a sense of peace and warmth to his heart.

"Something is wrong," he stated.

Zahra met his gaze, her eyes sparkled with unshed tears while his glinted with understanding. She'd come to appreciate his straightforward and observant nature.

"Tell me what's wrong, Zahra."

With a heavy sigh, she allowed her head to rest against his broad shoulder, seeking the feeling of security and comfort he seemed to offer abundantly.

"I can't find a job."

His eyebrows shot up. 

"It wasn't as easy as I expected it to be. I thought it was a matter of citizenship but the stupid papers offered little to no help."

"It's never easy finding a job."

"Yeah. Even before, with the threat of getting deported at any given moment, I couldn't land a part-time job easily."

Nasseem's expression softened as Zahra opened up about her struggles.

"I was overjoyed when I landed a scholarship to finish my studies here, away from my hometown, away from my family. Don't get me wrong, I miss them. My God, I do," her voice broke. "But, they were killing me, smothering my dreams. I used to hate cooking, you know? It reminded me of all of the housewife tasks my mom used to drill into me. I've only grown to enjoy it after I moved away."

He remained silent, allowing her the time and space to unload and unburden her heart.

"The deportation threat had been looming over me for two years after college. It cast a shadow over my life and made it difficult for me to find employment and lodging." Zahra paused. "I'm so thankful for you and Warda. I'll forever be in your debt."

His heart ached for the hardships she had endured. Nasseem reached out and gently placed his hand on hers, offering a comforting squeeze. "I can't even begin to imagine how tough it must have been for you," he said, his voice filled with empathy. "But please know that you're not alone in this anymore. We're in this together, and I'll do whatever I can to support you."

Zahra's eyes glistened with gratitude as she looked at him. It was in moments like these that she realized the depth of their connection, the strength of their bond. They had both faced their own battles, but together, they found solace and the courage to overcome their individual challenges.

"I'm proud of you, Nasseem, for doing your best to support Warda, for doing your best to revive your parents' farm. I'm so, so proud of you."

Her voice was thick and he cleared his throat, overcome with emotions as well.

"It was their dream to own and manage a farm this big. I lost myself after they were gone. However, in making their dream come true, I found not only myself but I found a purpose. I'm sure you'll find yours."

And I also found you, the thought flashed through his head, the realization shocking him to the core.

"I'm sure I will. Thank you for listening."

"No need to thank me, Zahra. I'll always be there for you."

With renewed determination, Zahra smiled. "I'm grateful to have you by my side," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity.

Nasseem returned her smile, his gaze filled with warmth and unwavering support. They may have started their journey with an arrangement born out of necessity, but along the way, the budding flowers were blossoming into something more beautiful.

At that moment, Nasseem realized that sometimes the greatest joy could be found in the simplest of gestures—a shared space, a stolen moment of togetherness. It was in these unassuming moments that the true beauty of their connection revealed itself, a reminder that amidst life's challenges and hardships, there was solace and comfort to be found in each other's company.

He might've found purpose in realizing his parents' dream, but he'd also lost a lot of precious moments he could've spent with his loved ones. He'd buried himself under piles of work under the pretext of having a demanding job but was only a sorry excuse to hide from the loneliness that had him in a chokehold lest it buried him as well.

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared below the horizon, Nasseem reached for Zahra's hand, lacing their fingers. The gesture chased the darkness away and warmed both souls.

And so, as they sat there, hands intertwined, their hearts grew closer, united in a silent understanding, appreciating the stillness of the evening and the quiet strength that blossomed between them.