Unspoken vows

Yusuf’s POV

It’s been two years since we got married, yet she still doesn’t look at me the same way I look at her. I know part of this marriage was arranged by our parents, but that doesn’t change how I feel about her. I care about her. I want us to have a happy life together.

I've been patient for two years. But I don’t know how much longer I can wait.

It was a quiet Saturday morning when I decided to visit my parents. My mom had been complaining about not seeing me for a while, so I figured I owed them a visit.

As I drove into their house, everything looked just as it always had. The well-kept garden, the large oak tree near the driveway, the same comforting scent of blooming jasmine in the air.

"Good morning, Mr. Yusuf," the gardener greeted me as I stepped out of the car.

"Morning," I replied simply before heading toward the main house. I knocked on the door three times before it was opened.

I was greeted by Mary, the African lady my mom had hired as a maid.

"Good morning, Mr. Yusuf," she said with a slight bow.

"Morning. Where are my parent?"

"They’re in the backyard, sir," she said.

I nodded and walked toward the backyard. My parent were sitting there, sipping coffee and chatting. They looked like a newlywed couple still so in love after all these years. I had always wanted to experience the kind of love they shared.

"Why are you just standing there?" My mom’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I walked toward them and greeted them warmly.

"Good morning, Mom. Good morning, Dad," I said as I hugged them both.

"Morning, love. How are you?" Mom asked.

"I’m fine, Mom. How are you?"

"I’m fine too. You look so pale. Have you been eating properly?"

"Yes, Mom."

"How is your wife?" Dad asked.

"She’s fine, Dad."

"Why isn’t she here with you?" Mom interrupted.

"She’s a little busy with work."

"Hmm. She’s always busy with work," Mom muttered.

I didn’t respond. There was nothing I could say that would make the situation any better.

---

I left my parents' house after dinner and drove back home. As I entered, the maids greeted me, but I barely acknowledged them. I headed straight to my room, feeling the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me.

I thought marriage would bring me happiness, but here I am always lonely.

After a quick shower, I put on my pajamas and lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The dim glow from the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across the room, highlighting the vast emptiness of my space. The large king-sized bed felt too big, too cold. The scent of fresh linen filled the air, yet there was no warmth, no presence to make it feel like home.

No presence of Aylin.

Flashback - The First Time I Saw Her

Two years ago, on a chilly autumn morning, I was waiting in line at a small café, craving a strong cup of coffee before heading to a meeting. The rich aroma of roasted beans filled the air, blending with the scent of fresh pastries. I had just placed my order when my eyes drifted toward the street outside.

And then I saw her.

A young woman, wrapped in a beige coat, stood beside an old homeless man sitting on the pavement. She handed him a small paper bag and a cup of coffee, her lips moving as she spoke to him. He looked up at her, his weathered face breaking into a grateful smile.

I watched as she listened, nodding occasionally, not just giving but actually acknowledging him. There was a quiet kindness in her actions, something unforced, something real.

I wanted to approach her, to say something, but before I could step forward, she glanced at her watch, gave the man a final smile, and walked away, disappearing into the busy street.

I didn’t even know her name.

Flashback ...

Fate, however, had other plans.

A few days later, I was at the airport, waiting to board my flight. The terminal was crowded, filled with hurried footsteps, rolling suitcases, and overhead announcements crackling through the speakers.

Then, out of nowhere—splash!

A gasp escaped me as something hot spilled all over the front of my white shirt. The sudden warmth seeped into the fabric, followed by a sharp intake of breath from someone in front of me.

"I—I’m so sorry!" a soft yet urgent voice stammered.

I looked up, and there she was—her.

The same woman from the café.

Of all the people in the world, it had to be her. The girl I couldn’t stop thinking about.

She took a step back, clutching her now-empty coffee cup, her blue eyes widening in shock. She fumbled in her bag and pulled out a few tissues, hesitating for a second before extending them toward me, keeping a slight distance.

I took them, dabbing at my shirt. "I was just thinking I needed a new shirt anyway," I said lightly, trying to ease her discomfort.

She pressed her lips together, clearly flustered. "I wasn’t looking where I was going… I was in a hurry."

"I can tell," I said, a small smirk forming.

She glanced around, as if looking for an escape. Her fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her purse, her body angled just enough to show she wasn’t comfortable staying too long.

"I really didn’t mean to…"

"It’s fine," I assured her, amused by her reaction. "No permanent damage."

She gave me a quick nod, then, without another word, turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd just as fast as she had appeared.

I stood there for a moment, staring after her, wondering why I suddenly felt the urge to chase after a stranger.

That was how it all started.

---

Back to Present

I sighed, rubbing my temples. That moment felt like a lifetime ago. Back then, I had believed in fate, believed that our meeting was the start of something beautiful. But now, two years into our marriage, I was nothing more than a stranger to her.

No matter how much I tried, Aylin’s presence never left me not in my heart, not in my mind.

I closed my eyes, willing sleep to take me, but the memories of Aylin lingered, refusing to fade.

—-

I woke up around 10 a.m. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting soft patterns on the floor. With a sigh, I dragged myself out of bed and headed for the bathroom. After a quick shower, I dressed in a simple navy blue shirt and black trousers before heading downstairs.

As I reached the dining room, I froze. Aylin.

She was sitting at the dining table, her fingers tapping on her phone screen. For a moment, I thought I was imagining things. She had been gone for months she wasn’t supposed to be back until next month.

"Good morning," her voice, soft yet distant, pulled me from my thoughts.

"M-Morning," I stuttered, completely caught off guard.

"Have a seat," she said, looking at me with those captivating blue eyes.

I hadn't even realized I was standing there, staring at her like a fool. Embarrassed, I cleared my throat and quickly sat at the opposite end of the table.

"So… you're back," I said, trying to start a conversation.

"Don't you want me to be back?" she asked, looking directly at me.

"No—I mean, of course, I do. I just thought you weren’t returning until next month."

"Well, I decided to come back early," she said

"Good morning, sir. Good morning, ma'am," one of the maids interrupted us.

"Morning," we both said in unison. After serving us our breakfast, she left. We ate in silence.

"Do you have anything to do today?" I asked after we finished breakfast.

"No," she simply replied, still typing something on her phone.

"I was wondering if we could go out for lunch sometime," I said, praying she would agree.

"I’m a little exhausted right now," she said. I felt a bit disappointed but decided to let it go.

"Maybe we could go out next week," she added to my surprise just as I was about to go upstairs.

"Okay," I said, smiling. At least she agreed to go out with me, and I was happy about that.

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