"Home is where I sigh in bliss
And close my eyes in peace
Home.....where the soul finds ease"
(Excerpt of a poem)
~Khayr Souf

Playlist: Here with me by Susie Suh

She hated heels!!

It made her feet hurt and she hated the soreness of her thumb. Fortunately she got a pair of comfortable and elegant flats. Yusrah, Humaira's friend made a shoe specifically for Naeemah, Specifically for this day and when Naeemah said she hated Heels, Yusrah said say no more. This was the most elegant yet comfortable flats she has ever worn. Who said you can't slay in flats? Because she's so doing it right now.

Naeemah watched her family in awe, she was filled to the brim with joy. All of her loved ones are here. Humaira, Maami, Zahra and Daadi are discussing with Humaira's hand in a bag of chips. Not wanting to intrude or anything but Naeemah senses her little nephew/niece is on their way. Intisaar came out of the kitchen in her newly launched elegant bubu, being a famous fashion designer has its perks.

Yusrah, now the leading female in handmade shoe industry is here, Juwairiyya, a badass English interior designer is here too, Zahra is Naeemah's favorite. Not only because she teaches them food for free but also because whenever Naeemah visits her bakery, she either gets a discount or a free baked goody. There are their aunties, uncles, distant cousins and even her grandmother and younger sister are here. Everyone was here to celebrate with her.

"Can we start going already people" Humaira shouted gaining everyone's attention before they all scurried and started getting ready to head out.

"Naeems are you done? Hafeez ask walking into the house

"Yes Hamma Hafeez, absolutely" Naeemah replied

"Then let's hit the road" He said smiling

"Babe where's the yogurt? Humaira asked looking at him

"It's right here babe" Hafeez replied as he looked at Naeemah

"Went to get her frozen yogurts. She developed quite an appetite these days" He added laughing

Naeemah looked at his totally oblivious face and smile. Hoping what she's thinking is true and couldn't wait for the day Hafeez and Humaira realizes it

"Naeems your ride is outside, everyone else shoo. Let's go" Humaira shouted yet again and they all headed out

Naeemah grabbed her bag just as Raeesa came behind her and dragged her out

"Let's go you lazy head. He has been waiting"

Fighting the urge to smack her best friend, Naeemah followed her rushing pace until they stopped to a halt next to his car

Raeesa whispered "see you in ten minute" in Naeemah's ears and winked before walking to her own ride with a skip

He got out of the car and looked at her, a look of admiration and respect clouding his eyes.

"You look breathtaking as always, can I please get a picture?

She tried ignoring his adoring eyes and failed, laughing as she posed and gave him her biggest smile. Not only from her lips but her heart as well

Every pore of her being oozes happiness and content and she knew she's at home, home....where the soul finds ease
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She couldn't believe it.

The truth was she couldn't believe anything anymore, especially not this, not now. Things had being rough and she didn't expect this to come up. Maybe it was her ease, comfort and peace at the end. The peace her lord promised her.

She stood before the moderate, yet fancy looking Spa and salon as people buzzed in and out of it.

The spa she just launched, her Spa!!

It still felt surreal that she now owns a spa. Which she started as a home based little business, taking session not more than three times a week or even less.

It's been six months since the incident with Mr Yaari, he could have been bailed out already but a further investigation revealed he was among and the head of most of the kidnappings going on, no amount of power or money could bail him out especially when Humaira was hell bent on him being behind bars.

Raeesa was doing so much better than Naeemah thought, she wasn't hurt physically and mentally which was a huge relief to Naeemah. And Raeesa buried those days far behind her, she came in terms with it, healed and moved on. Naeemah on the other hand wasn't so sure. Yes she buried her past, and is still coming in terms with it. There's still this feeling, this guilt whenever she sees Raeesa or Ameer. She felt like she was the reason everything happened.

With the help of her family and an enormous one from Ameer, she was coming in terms with everything and slowly healing. Ameer told her she should take it slow, a gradual process and she was doing good at it. She doesn't flinch or feel a deep ache whenever she heard the name Mahmud or Kidnapping again. She was starting to be at peace with it.

Soon after it, she decided to indulge herself into something and started skincare, she started traditional spa at home, in one of the guest room and soon after, with support of everyone around her it started to blossom.

Humaira first suggested her opening a spa which she said she couldn't. Then Ameer pushed her even further by helping her choose a place, went shopping together, ordered all the equipment and every other necessity.

Juwairiyya, Humaira's friend helped with the interior design giving it an exquisite, minimalist elegant touch. It was beautiful and Naeemah absolutely loved it especially her little office. Intisaar designer her gown, which was free and beautiful along with Yusrah's Comfy shoes. Humaira took care of the refreshment and Zahra the foods. Naeemah was so grateful for the endless support she always got from them.

And now as she watch the huge logo on the door to the entrance which read Naeems Spa and Salon, she knew she was ready for this new step in her life.

"Let's go" Ameer said coming to stand next to her as her thoughts ended

"Where? Naeemah questioned confused. She didn't know he followed her, she went outside to look at her logo and really think about how far she has come.

"Somewhere peaceful, I want to show you something" He said with a shy smile

That's one among the numerous things she likes about him, he was kind and has an aura of calmness instantly bringing an end to your turmoil. Even he might not know this, but he carries so much peace, calmness and kindness around him. Not to mention how he's patient with her, always patient. Taking everything slowly, handling her so gently and always telling her how inspiring she is. He calls her Superneemah and she love it.

"Okay" Naeemah replied with a broad smile "Let me inform them" She added before stepping in only to meet the knowing and smiling faces of her family. She knew they were snooping

"When you are back, you're giving me all the deets" Raeesa whispered in her ear

"Go, we'll handle all that's here" Maami said as Daadi gave her a mischievous smile

Naeemah looked over to Humaira who walked over to her with a broad smile and teary eyes

"I'm so proud. This is who you are, a greatness, a powerful current, you're the rise of your name not something else, not someone else or someone else's life. This is your life, your own time zone" Humaira said pulling her into a hug and fully sobbing

Naeemah stood with a big grin. Her cousin's word uplifting her and also the confirmation to her initial assumption. Humaira was definitely receiving good news soon

"Okay love, let her go babe" Hafeez said pulling his wife from Naeemah and into him as he wiped her eyes and gave Naeemah a confused look.

Naeemah smiled and held her cousins hands

"It feels good to live this life, my life and give myself a name. This reality is much better than the dream I was living"

Humaira nodded with a sloppy smile and mouthed go, gesturing towards a waiting Ameer.

Promising to be back soon for the delicious cheesecake on the serving table, Naeemah turned and followed Ameer into the car

She didn't know where they were going but it was okay. She doesn't know where her life is heading either, yes she has opened a shop but she doesn't know the turbulences to come. All she knows is whatever happens, she has herself, her family, friends and Ameer. She was home.

This was her life, her reality, a gradual process and she was creating a much better reality for herself. It wasn't perfect but she loved the perfect imperfections of it rather than the Imperfect Perfection she once saw.
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Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah!!

Finally done with IMPERFECT PERFECTION.

Amongst all my books, this was the one I poured my soul into. I'm so proud of Naeemah, her journey of realizing and becoming who she's supposed to be not who she would be with someone else in the picture.

There's so much imperfection in this life, the truth is nobody has a perfect life. So why not live your own Perfectly imperfect life and see how beautiful things turn out than seeing others imperfect perfection as perfection and wanting to live that. You're in your own time zone, don't rush it because others are ahead. Everyone started slow.

So to everyone and most especially the girl out there, You're a force to be reckoned with, you're the rise of your name, a powerful current, an uproar of waves. You're greatness in its purest form.

And if you want to heal, take it slow. Breathe, feel, heal. You're a gradual process and when you step out, the ground will tremble beneath you.

Never wait on something or someone to be happy or to be great. You alone, are great. Don't let who you want to be, be only part of someone else's life, someone else's story. Write your own story, be your own star and let others read your book!!

We'll be having an interview soon insha Allah. Jazakallahu Khairan for your endless support❤️

Love, Khayr❤️