CHAPTER 4

As the weight of the conversation lingered in the air, Haya felt a flicker of hope. Maybe one day, she could find a balance between her love for Sam and the possibility of a future with someone who could share that love. For now, she would continue to be the mother he needed, cherishing every moment together.

After Ayesha left the room, Haya took a deep breath, trying to process everything her mother had said. Just then, her best friend and personal assistant, Shreya, walked in with a bright smile, holding a stack of papers.

“Hey, Haya! Ready for our meeting?” Shreya asked, noticing the look of contemplation on Haya’s face. “You seem a bit distracted.”

Haya managed a weak smile. “Yeah, just had a heavy conversation with my mom about… well, everything. She thinks I should start dating . She believes Sam needs a father figure.”

Shreya raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting to one of concern. “Oh? That’s a lot to take in. But you’re not ready for that, right? You’ve got so much on your plate with Sam.”

Haya nodded, feeling a mix of relief and sadness. “Exactly. I can’t even think about dating when I’m so focused on him. But there’s something else… I do have feelings for someone.”

Shreya’s eyes widened with curiosity. “Wait, really? Who? Why didn’t you tell me?

Haya hesitated, biting her lip. “It’s complicated. He’s someone I’ve known for a while, but we never talked. I’ve kept it to myself because I don’t want to complicate things with Sam.”

“Come on, spill! You can’t just drop that bombshell and not say more,” Shreya urged, her excitement evident. “Is he someone I know?”

“Yeah, actually. It’s Zaid,” Haya admitted, feeling a mix of embarrassment and excitement.

Shreya grinned, her eyes sparkling. “Zaid? He’s perfect for you, Haya. But I get it—bringing someone into your life right now feels overwhelming, especially with Sam.”

“Exactly,” Haya sighed, her heart heavy. “I don’t want to confuse Sam or make him feel like he’s losing me. Zaid is amazing, but I just don’t know if I’m ready to explore that side of my life yet.”

Shreya placed a comforting hand on Haya’s shoulder. “You deserve to be happy, too. Sam will always be your priority, but you can still have love in your life. It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing situation. Maybe you could take it slow?

Haya considered Shreya’s words, feeling a glimmer of hope. “You mean like, just spending time with Zaid without any labels? That could work, right?”

“Absolutely! You can build a friendship with him that could naturally develop into something more. And who knows? Sam might actually benefit from having a positive male role model around,” Shreya suggested.

Haya smiled at her best friend, feeling grateful for her support. “You always know how to make me see things differently. I’ll think about it. Maybe I can invite Zaid over for a casual dinner sometime, just to see how things go but as you know we never talked who knows if he don’t accept my invitation?”

“That’s the spirit! Don’t worry i will help you in that” Shreya cheered. “And I’ll be there to help you with the cooking, just in case things get a little chaotic with Sam around!”

Haya laughed, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. “Thanks, Shreya. I really appreciate you. I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing for Sam.”

“You’re a great mom, Haya. Just remember that it’s okay to let yourself be happy, too. You can create a life where Sam feels loved and secure while also allowing yourself to explore new relationships,” Shreya encouraged.

Feeling a sense of relief, Haya nodded. “You’re right. I’ll take it one step at a time. For now, let’s focus on that meeting and see what happens next.”

As they moved on to discuss their plans for the day, Haya felt a renewed sense of hope. Perhaps it was possible to find a balance between her love for Sam and the budding feelings she had for Zaid. With Shreya by her side, she knew she could navigate whatever challenges lay ahead.

With thoughtful expressions, they retreated into the quiet sanctuary of their study room.