Chapter 2

Epilogue: Home, With You

The sun was setting, casting a warm golden hue over the garden as Jodha stood at the edge of the patio, watching the sky change colors. It had been a few years since that dinner, the one where she had let go of her fear and allowed herself to trust him. Now, looking at the horizon, she couldn't help but smile at how far they had come.

A light breeze tugged at her hair as she felt the familiar warmth of Jalal’s presence behind her. She didn’t need to turn around to know it was him - she felt it in the air, in the way his energy always seemed to fill the space around her. And when he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close, it felt like home.

"You always loved the sunsets," Jalal’s voice was low, warm against her ear. He pressed a kiss to the side of her temple, the same gentle kiss that had once melted her heart. "I remember when you said you felt like they were... a reminder that no matter what happened, there would always be another day."

Jodha smiled softly, feeling the weight of his words as they resonated in her heart. She had said that once, in a fleeting moment of reflection. Back then, she hadn’t been sure of tomorrow, unsure of what the future might bring. But now, with him beside her, the promise of tomorrow felt certain.

"They’re beautiful," she replied, resting her head against his shoulder. "But it’s not just the sunsets anymore. It’s everything."

He chuckled, his voice rich with affection. "I think you’ve become a hopeless romantic after all, Mrs. Mohammad."

Jodha laughed softly, her heart fluttering at the sound of her new title. It had taken her a while to admit that she wanted this kind of love, this life with him. But now, three years into their marriage, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. There had been challenges, yes - both internal and external - but together, they had navigated them. They had built something solid, something real, in a way she had never imagined was possible.

"You were right," she said, turning in his arms to look up at him. "You always said it wasn’t about perfection. It was about being real. And I’ve learned, more than anything, that just being with you, in all our messy, imperfect ways, is enough."

Jalal smiled down at her, his gaze warm and steady, and in his eyes, Jodha could see the reflection of the same trust she had felt the first night they’d let go of their walls. It was still there, only stronger now.

"We’ve come a long way, haven’t we?" he said, brushing a lock of hair from her face.

Jodha nodded. "I didn’t know how much I needed you until I had you. I didn’t know how much we needed to happen."

The years hadn’t always been easy, but they had been beautiful in their own way. There had been laughter - so much laughter - and moments of quiet, simple joy. They had learned to be patient with each other, to let go of the things that didn’t matter, and to treasure the things that did. They had become partners in every sense of the word, supporting each other in their careers, in their dreams, and in their shared love of life.

Their home, a small, cozy house just in the heart of city, had become a reflection of them - a balance of order and chaos, laughter and stillness, warmth and space. Jodha had found joy in making their space truly their own. Jalal had filled it with love, with art, with laughter that echoed through the halls even on the quietest nights.

As they stood there, basking in the moment, the soft, familiar sound of tiny feet pattering across the wooden floor reached their ears. Jodha’s heart skipped a beat, and before she could turn around, a small voice interrupted their quiet moment.

"Ma-ma!" The cry was followed by a little whimper, and then a familiar face appeared around the corner of the patio door - wide-eyed, tear-streaked, and in need of comfort. Their one-year-old daughter, Ruhi, had crawled over, her tiny hands reaching out as she made her way to them, a soft whine escaping her lips.

Jodha’s heart melted instantly. "Hey, baby girl," she murmured, crouching down with a smile to scoop Ruhi into her arms. The little girl was still too young to walk properly, but her bright eyes were already full of curiosity, and the whimpering had only lasted a moment. She snuggled into her mother’s chest, her small face softening as she felt the warmth of her mother’s embrace.

Jalal leaned down, brushing his hand through Ruhi’s messy curls. "Someone’s hungry, huh?" he said with a teasing smile, but his voice was warm and full of tenderness.

Jodha looked at him with a soft laugh, cradling Ruhi closer. "She’s always hungry," she said, nuzzling the top of Ruhi’s head, the familiar scent of her baby’s soft hair filling her senses. "But it’s okay. We’ll get you fed, sweetheart."

Jalal’s expression softened as he watched Jodha with their daughter. His eyes were full of love, the kind of love that had grown and deepened over the years - not just for Jodha, but for their little family. He couldn’t help but smile, his heart swelling with the realization that this was everything he had ever wanted. The life they had created together was more than he could have ever imagined.

As Jodha stood up, holding Ruhi in one arm, she leaned over to kiss Jalal’s cheek. "You’re right," she whispered against his skin. "This is everything."

Jalal’s eyes softened, a smile tugging at his lips. "I know," he replied, his voice full of quiet satisfaction. "It’s perfect."

And with that, they moved inside together, a family - complete in a way that was beyond words. The house that had once felt like just four walls now felt like the very center of their world, where love, laughter, and the promise of a future would continue to grow with every passing day.

As Jodha sat down to feed Ruhi, her daughter looking up at her with wide, trusting eyes, Jalal sat beside them, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. They shared a quiet moment together, as the world outside grew darker, the stars beginning to shine overhead.

Their home was a sanctuary - a place where imperfection was embraced, and love was a constant. And as Jodha looked at Jalal, their daughter in her lap, she realized that the sunset they had just witnessed wasn’t just a symbol of tomorrow’s promise - it was a reminder of everything they had built, together.

As the last rays of the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky painted in deep oranges and pinks, they sat together in silence. A few years ago, she had been terrified of this kind of life -terrified of letting someone else in, of trusting someone with her heart. But now, here in the quiet of their home, with the world fading into night, Jodha realized she had found exactly what she had been searching for all along.

A love that didn’t need to be perfect, but was real.

A love that was enough.

And as they stood together, in the warmth of each other’s arms, with their little bundle of joy in between Jodha knew one thing for certain- this was only the beginning. Their tomorrow would be just as beautiful as today. And the sunsets? They’d continue to be reminders - reminders of all that they had shared, and all that was yet to come.