How Love

ded none of them were suitable. Later, she joined Aish and her family for evening tea, and they all ex

r. Her mother glanced at her, and her previous mood changed. "Ifa, go cha

ell," she replied and walked into her room. From inside, s

she was going out to dinner, it meant she was going with Aseel. If not, she

help. The mother and daughter worked together effortlessly, comfortable with each other's tasks and sha

or an emerald green midi dress with irregular pleats, paired with white jeans and a peach-colo

g. She was wearing her favorite 3-inch leather brown satin pumps, which matched her leath

a week. It used to be different before they broke up. Aseel would come over to her pla

rsed through her veins. But amid all the excitement, her mind drifted back to the plan she'd cooked up with Aish. The idea of causing

osing the life she'd built in the city. The clock kept ticking, and her mind kept racin

the plan with Aish seemed like a way out, she couldn't shake off the feeling that it

's love for the island and the family was too strong to manipulate. Instead, Haifa realized that s

sh, and she didn't want to push him into something he might not be ready for. Yet, the desire to marry him, to spend her life with him, was a steadfast feeling deep within

ve. She believed they could find a way to resolve their differences and make a decision that was best for everyone. And as

g street appeared oddly quiet in the night, with only a few vehicles passing by compared to the daytime traffic. The buildings along the street showcased a mismatched collection

d decided to give Aseel a bit more time before reaching for her phone to dial his number. Just as she was about to do so,

ngth. His long, curly hair cascaded past his shoulders, framing his beautifully sculpted face in a way that made her heart ski

left him with a knee injury. Although it prevented him from pursuing a professional basketball career, he continue

ed his deep blue jeans. As he effortlessly maneuvered his 80's Suzuki along the street toward her, He pulled off the p

lege of his family's wealth, he navigated life with a carefree attitude, never really having to worry about earning a living on his own.

managed to capture his sustained interest. Although his parents encouraged him to join the family

g smile, his lips revealing a set of perfect w

ulder and smoothly swung her leg to join him behind the bike. Slipping her hand around his waist,

located by the ocean, offering its patrons breathtaking vistas of the beach and the expansive sky. The establishment exuded a cozy ambiance, accompanied by the enticin

, she fell into step beside him, her hand slipping through his arm. As they settled into their

e of days," Haifa ventured, immediately regretting the words as they lef

came over to watch," he explained, his attention elsewhere. Ah, the football season – Haifa sighed internally. Ase

ect. "There's something I need to talk to you about," she began, her voice slightly shaky. "My

er to her. "When will you be b

life there," she clarified, her voice tinged with sadness. She quickly recounted the conversation she had with her mother earlier in the day, explaining

uard "Why are you laughing? This is serious," she said, her heart sinking even further. She cou

n't picture you living the island life," he said, his tone mocking. "Will you be wearing flo

living. "Aseel, it's not funny," she said. "It's not as uncivilized as you think," she retorted, her tone def

ion. "Oh, sure. Do they even have cable? In

isbelief. "You're not even a little sad that I'll be gone?" she asked, her voice t

ment here," he shrugged as if it were the simplest solu

is is a big deal for me. It's not just about an apartment. It's about my family, my life here, and... and us,

the situation and offer some sort of support. But what she saw in h

e conversation. "Maybe if we talked to Mamma and told her we want to get ma

to think about it. Constantly talking about it won't help," he said, his fingers idly playing wi

their future seemed to be at the top of that list. She had to abide by his rules, even when she was struggling with her own emotions. It was always about

s. After a while, Haifa attempted to break the tension. "Will you at least com

e Aseel's c

ds yesterday. Have you seen the reel I uploaded? I haven't finished editing the others yet," she sa

s expression bored as

" Haifa asked wi

responded in the

a took a deep breath, trying to hold back her tears. Hugging herself for comfort, she made her way back to her apartment. Thoughts of Aseel filled her mind, and sel

, I have news," her mother

e was beaming with excitement. "Your aunt Naseema just called. She found a job for you in Vavathi. It might not be anything

graphy gigs at various weddings, so you can continu

once again. "Yes, Mamma," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned

start packing from tomorrow," Nasreena said,

y. Her thoughts were racing, her mother's words echoing in her mind. How could her career be dismissed as just a hobby? Sure, she hadn't

r the importance of her dreams. It felt as if her mother was making decisions without considering her feelings at all. T

r own choices. But it seemed like her mother had already made up her mind and was pushing forward with her plans, disregarding Haifa's opinions and feelings as if they didn't matter

frustration that had consumed her earlier. She realized that she couldn't let her mother's decisions dictate the course of he

use the plan. It was a drastic plan, a painful plan, but it was the only on

motions. But she was prepared to fight for the life she had envisioned, even if