The following morning, I woke up feeling brand new and positive, and I knew it was definitely going to be a better day than the day before it. I just needed to concentrate on and appreciate all the people I had in my life, instead of obsessing over those who chose not to choose me. It was as simple as that.

Before waking up, I affirmed myself, then I got up, watered my plants, went for my morning jog, and got some coffee along the way.

“Good morning, Can I please have one,” I said to the cashier.

“Butter scotch latte,” a familiar voice yelled in the background.

I looked to the back and saw his face. It was Rashied again. “Do I have to get a restraining order against you?” I asked in an annoyed tone.

“Maalf, I was only trying to get your attention,” Rashied responded with a slight smile on his face.

“What do you want from me? What?” I asked.

“I want you. I want a day with you. I need to talk to you, kanala (Please). Just one day,” Rashied responded, begging. “If you don’t say yes, then I’m going to go down on one knee and make a scene in this coffee shop.”

“Okay, okay, okay. Just one day, just one day. And I’m only doing this because I have things I want to say to you. We’ll meet here tomorrow, okay?” I responded.

“Yes, yes. I knew you’d agree. You won’t regret it. See you tomorrow, right here, In Shaa Allah (If God wills),” Rashied said happily while making his way to the exit.

While I was watching Rashied walk away, I could not help but wonder if I had made the right choice by agreeing to see him the following day. But it was not like I was cheating on Malik, though. I just needed closure from Rashied, and that was all. So, later that evening, I had dinner with Malik and our families, and, around the table, we were having the normal family banter.

“It’s about time you get married Layla. You’re almost 30, and we thought you would die a spinster,” my always unnecessary grandmother said.

Instead of responding, I let out a laugh of relief, even though I also almost believed I would die a spinster.

Malik turned to me and leaned over. “Are you okay?” he asked. “You’ve been very quiet lately. Did I do or say something wrong?”

“No, my love, no. I’m just a little overwhelmed with my workload, that’s all,” I replied with a little bit of a guilty conscience.

“You know that you’re the love of my life, and if you’re not happy, then I’m not happy. I’ll love you and choose you every day, and I’m only saying this because I feel like you needed to hear the reassurance,” Malik said while stroking his gentle hand across my flustered cheek.

“I know, I love you too,” I responded. “Now come on. Let’s eat before the food gets cold,” I continued, anxiously trying to shift the tone of the conversation.

When the night was over, I felt relieved. My guilt started to weigh heavily on my conscience, but I needed to hear what Rashied’s excuses were. I just needed to know.

***

Tell us: What do you think is going to happen after the main character hears Rashid’s excuses?