Aisha woke early, her sleep restless with the image of Omar from the night before. His bruised face, the bandages, and the exhaustion in his eyes were etched into her thoughts. Even now, standing before the mirror, towel-drying her hair, the unease lingered. Droplets of water escaped her hair, landing unknowingly on Omar’s face.

The cool sensation stirred him awake. Disoriented, his eyes fluttered open, taking in the soft morning light and her figure by the mirror. She hadn’t noticed him yet, completely absorbed in her routine. Omar stayed still, silently watching her. Dressed in a simple beige kurta, her dupatta draped loosely over her shoulder, Aisha looked effortlessly radiant.