The next day I wake up early, pray, eat breakfast, and get ready for a day full of meetings. I get dressed for the meeting in a black jumpsuit with a collarless coat, black heels, a black clutch, a black hajib, and my black sunglasses. Everything I am wearing is black, today.  As I go to meet Ismail, I try not to think about my feelings for him. As my Mum said, I will know with time if he likes me the same way. I will act like nothing has changed between us. But now I realize the depth of my feelings for him, I will never see Ismail as just my ‘brother-in-law’ again.“Aha! Umit, did someone die?” Ismail chuckles as I walk toward him.“Is the black too much?” I ask, wondering if instead of looking professional I look like I am going to a funeral.“A bit, but you look beautiful as always.”“Thank you,” I say trying to hide my smile. Maybe everyone is right, and Ismail does really like me, but

Last night the men took us out for that dinner we extorted. Udar and Ismail did manage to get us a booking at the restaurant. We all had a great time until it was time to pay. Fatima and I were only joking about making them pay, but they took it seriously. In the end, Fatima and I graciously allowed them to pay, not wanting the evening to end on a sour note.Fatima and I plan to go to the spa for a good massage after our two weeks of work in Iceland. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), we are through with advertising our app to all the hotels and tour guide companies in various countries. Some did not sign with us, but overall, it was a success. And I am sure once others see its success, we will get more interest.While I am getting my massage, my phone starts buzzing with text messages. I put my phone on silent so no one would disturb me, but it seems this person found another way to get my attention. I pick up my phone to find out who is disturbing me when my phone s

A few hours has gone by since we got the devastating news about Abeela’s disappearance. Ismail was able to get the pilot to get the plane ready in record time. We are currently flying back to America. Fatima has been crying so much I feared she might make herself sick. She is sleeping now, finally agreeing to rest. I can’t imagine what Fatima is going through at the moment. The uncertainty of what is happening to your loved one makes the imagination go wild. You don’t know if the person is well or is being treated well. You don’t know if the person is fed or not. You don’t know if they are torturing your loved one or not. The horrors the person might be facing might be unbearable. The uncertainties are so many, you might lose your mind. I can’t imagine anyone from my family getting kidnapped, like maybe Waheeda’s children or even Ismail. No! I should not let my imagination even go there. My life would feel like it’s been shattered from

“Where is Fatima?” I ask the maid who opens the door for me. I got to Fatima’s in half the time it normally takes, that is how fast I was driving. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) I arrived in one piece.“She is upstairs, Miss Umit,” the maid replies.“Thank you,” I say, rushing in and taking the stairs two at a time.Everything makes sense to me. Why she sent the video and did not want me to come over to her house. She sent it to me so if anything happens to her, I will know.I arrive at Fatima’s room; I quickly open the door praying dearly I am not too late. I look inside, but Fatima is nowhere to be seen. Am I too late? Did my best friend already risk her life for her sister’s? I have to be sure, so I check the bathroom. I knock on the bathroom a few times but no answer. I open it, but there is no one inside. I check her closet and she is not there either. Ya Allah, I can’t believe I came to

“My name is Doctor Marcus. I am the surgeon in charge of Mr. Adam. He was brought into the hospital in a critical condition, but we were able to stabilize his condition.” Dr Marcus tells us.“So, you are saying he is alive?” Fatima asks sounding very hopeful.“Yes, he is alive, and he is recovering well,” Dr Marcus says, finally smiling.“Allah Akbar, can I see him?” Fatima asks, while crying tears of joy.Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) he is alive, I have never been so grateful to see Fatima smile as I am right now.  “Yes, doctor can we see him?” Ismail says, sounding very eager to see Udar.“Yes, you can, but not all of you at once. Please follow me.” Dr Marcus replies.“Alright doctor,” Fatima says. We follow the doctor to the last door on the floor.“This is his room. I will leave you guys to it, but please take it easy.