This chapter is where I swoon 🤤🫶.

---

For God's sake.

He had met all three of them. The more he meets the angrier he gets. Because he can see exactly why she left these pieces of shit. They are an excuse for a man especially one to be married. He has no idea how men like these get the best women. Somehow, they just do.

He just hates this man extra for some reason. He doesn't even know what he did or what happened. Wait, he hates all three of them. He only knows a little background story of the second bastard.

Yet, the anger and hate stayed for all of them.

"What are you planning to do?" He asked as he saw the man accessing him

His shoulder widened and his gaze narrowed at him. He is never the one to start a fight because his guard usually removes threats before they come to him. If this bastard starts a fight, he will be more than happy to put an end to it. And he will be smiling through it.

"He wants to marry you too?"

She laughs bitterly, "No. He just likes reminding me why I am better off without his useless existence". Then she raises her head, hiding her emotions, "What do you want?"

"You can't keep my daughter away from me". Ahmad snapped

"I didn't. I clearly remember I told you that you can meet her. However, you have vanished for months now". She rolls her eyes, "I am guessing your little hide-and-seek game was found".

"Shut up". Ahmad snarled, "I am here to meet her now".

Oh, hell no. "I specifically told you that you will not meet her in a closed area like my apartment because it's inappropriate".

"Oh, but bringing another man home isn't?" Ahmad snapped

His body tightened at his words ready to pounce at him when she laughs, actually laughs, "Wish you could speak like that in front of your family for me. No? Did I hit a nerve? Because you standing here shouting at me and questioning me seems like you have some rights over me. When obviously you don't".

He heard even his guard snicker at her fireback. He likes it. He likes when she isn't scared like she was with Zafar. He clenched his jaw because once he is sure that she is safe in her house, he will deal with that bastard. He will like it very much. He can feel it.

"You-".

"Behave". His voice sounded like it was made of steel because he had enough of this already

"I am not a dog". Ahmad snapped

"You can't be". He said nonchalantly, "Dogs are loyal creatures. Don't insult them".

She snickers. He does like that. Her being in a good mood does something to him.

"You are keeping my daughter away from me".

She rolls her eyes leaning on the wall because she was drained. She didn't have the energy or time for this man. He had always been the one to drain everything out of her. She hates that. This man was never comfortable with his daughter. Due to her blindness, he can never get how to speak or act with his daughter nor does he do efforts to understand the condition.  It was just as hard for her, and she tried and read through books ans articles to understand how to be there for her daughter. This man doesn't like to hear his daughter speak a mile about something she likes. He will just be awkward and ruin her daughter's day.

"No. I am not the one who didn't even look at her newborn baby girl after finding out she was blind". She snapped and she heard the sharp inhale from the man standing beside her

"He did what?" He could feel the anger multiplying

"This is why I divorced you. You like talking too much and always blaming everyone else". Ahmad eyes were filled with anger

She laughs, "You divorced me? No, no, I divorced you. Because neither my daughter nor I deserve a coward of a man in our lives. A man who can't even tell his parents that he wants to visit his daughter. A man whose new wife told him to cut all connections with his previous wife. I don't blame your wife if I had a coward of a man as a husband I will probably do the same thing".

"Shut up". Ahmad's face was turning redder

"No. Don't you dare blame me for your lack of presence in my child's life. You did that. You are the one who is a coward who can't stand up for his family. Your cowardice is your problem. Not mine. Get away from my property or I will have the guards throw you out".

He doesn't mind her using his guards instead he could feel that his guards were itching to do what she threatens this bastard with.

He had hoped that he doesn't have to witness this again. He hates that every man he has come around with so far is the same in some way. They all cowards hiding behind a facade. He doesn't understand how. How can a man disregard the bond that Allah has bestowed and blessed him with? How can he disregard the direct command of the one that made him?

Coward is a small word for these men. They are not even real men. They are just a facade of one. Real men don't let anyone humiliate, hurt or even think wrong about their wives and children.

The anger returns as he clenches his hands because if he doesn't he will need to hit this bastard. How can he ever treat his baby girl like that? How?

He was worse than a coward and a bastard. In all the three he had met so far, they all seem to fit into those two categories yet this one seems to not.

She entered the apartment after Ahmad left. A second in and her daughter came rushing to her with her hands wide open for a hug. It was their ritual to always greet the other as soon as they are home.

"Hi, baby". She whispers as she inhales her scent, "I missed you".

"I missed you too, Mama". Sudur's soft voice spoke

"You have a dog?" His voice broke her stance as she turns to look at him

His eyes held adoration as he looked at her daughter and back at her.

"It's a service dog". Her daughter replied and her voice stone, "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

She purses her lips because she knows her daughter. Her daughter is soft and kind-hearted. That doesn't mean she is ever not cold to people she doesn't know. She has a strong spine maybe even stronger than hers.

"I see that she takes after you". That compliment does something to her heart, and then his eyes turn to her daughter, "I am Hani Ibrahim from Hani's Oil refineries and building company. You probably didn't hear about me-".

"I know who you are. You are Raja Sahab who owns most of the area around here. You completed your education in the UK and majored in business much like your father. You are thirty-six years old".

He looks at her daughter amazed and that adoration increases tenfold.

"An educated girl". He muses, "Yes, that is me. I was actually working on a deal with your mother".

"That doesn't explain your visit to our house".

Ok. He likes this child because of how amazingly she talks.

"I am sorry to visit uninvited. We had an issue and I was just making sure your mom got home safe".

"Is she hurt?" Her daughter's voice drops low

She shakes her head when he looks at her.

"Not really, no. Her car just wasn't working so I had to drop her off".

"Do you know that a cloud can weigh around a million pounds?" His daughter asked and she knows what her daughter is doing

Her daughter is figuring out if she can trust this man. Usually, not many people like it whenever Sudur starts to talk about math or science (like her father). There is a thing that her daughter listens to podcasts all day because she likes hearing sounds especially of forests or animals. She also likes to learn new things.

"It does?"

"Hmm". Her daughter nodded, "The average cumulus cloud can weigh up to a million pounds, according to the USGS. That’s about as heavy as the world’s largest jet when it’s completely full of cargo and passengers".

"Woah. I had no idea. All I ever wanted to do was touch it or sit on it".

"You did?" Her daughter's voice was loud and excited, "I have no idea what cloud could feel like".

"Did you ever have cotton candy?" He asked invested in this conversation

Her daughter shakes her head, "Sweets are not good for health, especially mine".

Her heart clenched.

"Alright. How about a very soft comforter? Have you had any?" He was quick to change the subject and not pry into it

Her daughter nodded, bashful, "Yes, I do. I love it when my comforter is super soft. It feels so good".

"That's exactly how the cloud feels like. At least from the far".

She zones out of the conversation as she focuses on how animated her daughter suddenly gets with a stranger. Her daughter has more sense of stranger danger. It was the first concept she taught her daughter and her daughter adopted it instantly.

Wherever her daughter is out, her face remains passive and her attitude is cold for anyone to approach her. Her daughter never even gets friendly with children because the times they heard about how people use children to drag other children to them.

However, her daughter has a clear sense of compassion. It is rare, very rare, for her daughter to start speaking to a stranger. According to her daughter, she has the ability to feel people's vibe. Not realistically, but, somehow her daughter can catch onto some vibes from which she knows if a person is good or bad.

It did helps her. There were a few times when even with her daughter's attitude, people tried to lure her in. Her daughter either started screaming or moving away from them.

There was this one time that her daughter screamed when they were in the supermarket. She had held her daughter to calm her, however, her daughter said that a man tried to speak to her and he wasn't giving good vibes. Turns out, the man in question was pointed out to be someone who molests children in public.

The way her daughter's body is relaxed as she leans on the couch speaking miles with the man in front of her confirms that her daughter indeed has good vibes from him. Her daughter is still testing him. She is giving out fact after the fact just to annoy him.

He is in fact not annoyed, if anything, he shares some common knowledge with her saying that until 12th grade he had the wish to follow a scientific path.

Her daughter didn't peg for answers as to why he didn't follow his dream.

Compassionate.

Because she understands, even at a very young age, that not all things go how people want them to. She doesn't mind her daughter learning things that are considered to be for adults. Mostly because, her daughter is unique and she will not lie about things to protect her, that's not how things work. Instead, she let her know things and what to do after. So, she knows better.

In the world we are living in protecting as per old methods is not going to keep a child safe. They need awareness in the most gentle and well-put manner.

This is another reason her daughter is home-schooled. The other is that their is no good system available for blind people in this country. No protection either.

"As lovely as it is to meet you". Hani spoke softly with a gentle smile, "I need to leave. It is not proper for me to stay here longer".

Her daughter's face fell and Hani looked at her for help and she shrugged. He sent a glare to her mouthing 'that was very helpful'.

"I promise I will see you soon, ok? Then we can talk without restrictions".

"Promise?"

She shakes her head at Hani to not promise something he absolutely won't do. However, Hani shrugged at her the same way she did a minute ago.

"I promise, Sudur".

Her daughter smiles big and walks away leaving them alone.

"Your daughter walks with so much confidence". He was in awe as he looked at her, "This is so refreshing".

"Remember I told you she can do anything if the environment is set for her?" And he nodded, "This house is one of the things I can set in a way she can navigate. She has been learning about every turn and placement of furniture for a few years now. She is quick to adapt and understand her way around".

"Still, it is something amazing. She is young and she can get frustrated by these things yet she looks so mannered".

"She throws a tantrum alright. You just wait until she is comfortable with you".

"I wouldn't mind".

"We will see".

"You need to meet me tomorrow, ok?" Hani was back to serious, "I really do have something important to speak about".

He sits in his car removing his coat and placing it on the seat where she sat not too long ago. Her scent is still fresh in the car.

"Take me to the police station". He ordered and his guard nodded, "You have something to say, Hamza?"

Hamza shakes his head, "No, sir. I just want to remind you that you were supposed to travel tonight for your meeting in the UK tomorrow".

"Cancel it. Schedule a meeting with Ms. Irsa and then a lunch".

"Yes, Sir. Anything else?"

"Yes. I need guards around her. Somewhere far but close. I want you to brief our team and know that anyone who disrespects or fails to keep her safe will no longer stay with us. Am I clear?"

"Yes".

"Good".

Once he handles the mess at the police station, he went back home. As usual, his place was quiet. He chooses to not live with his family. It's a big mess that he has no reason or responsibility to handle.

His siblings are spoiled rotten to the point that they just don't have any other things to do besides spending money. So, every month he sends a specific amount to their accounts.

His mother is alive. His father is not. Which are a good thing and a bad one.

The next day, she did have a meeting with him. He didn't ask much and signed the contract with her. She couldn't even believe it was that easy. However, the process before the signing raised some suspension, especially for her secretary.

Once he had entered her office, he asked how she was and he wasn't asking about her health instead the marks on her neck were still there just covered. He asked if she took medication and ate something. She did say that she skips breakfast because she hates it and he had frowned ever since.

"Now, we will go eat something". He announced once the signature was done

"It's not lunch yet". She said looking at her watch showing 10 am

He shrugged, "We can eat early. Let's go".

She agreed. Only because she was indeed hungry now. Maybe because she was relaxed now.

"What is that you want to talk about?"

She sits in front of him after ordering some french fries. She did want to order a burger but she hadn't recovered from her past yet.

"Your daughter". Her eyes narrow at his words, "Listen to me before you say anything. I will never harm a child. When you told me about her a few months ago. I was invested. I have a friend". He pauses, "Zohan is a very successful lawyer".

"And?"

"He is blind". She inhales sharply, "He doesn't like hiding or sugarcoating his blindness. I spoke to him. I told him about your daughter and offered to help".

"He will do that? For free?"

"Zohan has everything in his life as far as he told me. I asked if there was anything I can do in return, but he didn't ask for anything. He said that if he can show someone a path to not be lonely, he will do it for free".

"But-".

"I do have something to ask in return though".

"Of course, you do".

"Marry me, Irsa".

-----

Ok, before y'all come at me for the "marry me" line you should know by now that's my trademark now 🫡😼. My story isn't complete without the line and only I know how I survived four chapters without it 🤓.

Adios.