Back to the Present
Sara closed the box with trembling hands, her entire desk life now fitting into that small cardboard space. The HR stood at the doorway, holding out her relieving letter with her usual formality.
"Your pending allowances will be cleared by the end of the day," she said, tone dry, detached.
Sara accepted the paper without a word. Her throat burned, but she kept her silence, fighting tears, until she stepped out of the office building. Then, as if her legs gave out, she collapsed on the ground. Her sobs tore out raw, unrestrained, as strangers walked past, sparing her fleeting glances filled with curiosity, pity, or disdain. None of it mattered anymore. She couldn't care anymore, because her life was too fucked up to be shaken by anyone's judgment.
Her phone buzzed. She hurriedly wiped her tears, forced her voice to steady.
"Yes?"
"Miss Sara, Zayn is not eating," the caregiver's worried voice said. "He's throwing tantrums again. Could you please come over if possible?"
Sara's heart clenched. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
"Okay, ma'am."
Sliding her glasses back on, she gathered her box, straightened her posture, and walked, every step fueled by the thought of the one soul who was waiting for her.
At the daycare, one of the staff greeted her with a soft smile, though worry lingered in her eyes.
"Hello, ma'am."
"How's Zayn?" Sara asked quickly.
"He hasn't eaten lunch. He's been crying and asking for you all day."
Sara's heart melted, the exhaustion of the day forgotten in an instant. She walked inside, her eyes immediately searching until they landed on him, her little boy, sitting in the corner, face flushed and puffy from endless tears.
Her heart broke and softened all at once.
"Zayn, my baby boy…" she called, her voice trembling with affection.
The moment he heard her, his head snapped up. His wide green eyes, so heartbreakingly familiar, lit up. "Momma!"
He stood up on his tiny legs, he rushed toward her, stumbling slightly before throwing himself into her arms. Sara caught him, lifting him high and hugging him tight, peppering kisses all over his tear-streaked face.
"Oh, my baby boy… why were you crying?" she cooed, her voice gentle, overflowing with love.
"I Mees you, Momma," he sniffled, his little hands clutching her. "Why, Momma, leave me? I dun yike here."
Her chest ached. Each word was a knife and a hug at the same time. She cupped his face, kissed his forehead, and whispered against his skin, "Not anymore, baby. Mumma will stay with you all day. I won't leave you again."
He blinked up at her, hope flickering in those innocent eyes. "eeally?"
Sara smiled through her tears and kissed the tip of his nose. "Really."
He giggled, leaning forward to kiss her nose in return. That sound, the sweet music of his laugh, wiped away all the bitterness clinging to her soul.
In Zayn's presence, she forgot the cruelty of the world. He was her anchor. Her reason. The only soul who gave her strength when everything else tried to break her. He had come into her life at the hardest time, making everything twice as difficult… yet twice as meaningful.
A cute package of joy, which made her forget all her pain. He was the reason she had been holding herself without giving up on her life. He was the reason she got the motivation to fight, to survive another day in this cruel world. He was the reason she woke up every morning, fought through hunger, humiliation, and heartbreak.
His green eyes reminded her of the man who once destroyed her, but instead of hate, she felt gratitude. When everyone abandoned her in this world as a daughter, as a lover, Zayn had given her the most precious title in the world: Mom.
"Let's go home, baby," she whispered, picked him up, holding tightly as his little hands clung to her neck. "We'll eat something delicious."
Zayn giggled, the sound bubbling with joy.
The caregiver, who had been quietly watching, smiled warmly at their bond.
"Thank you for taking care of him," Sara said, her voice soft but polite.
"My pleasure, ma'am," the woman replied.
Sara walked out, her son in her arms, his little voice chattering excitedly about the food he wanted, the toys he missed, and a hundred little things. With each word, her heart lightened.
The world outside was cruel, but in that moment, holding Zayn, Sara felt unshakable. For him, she could endure anything.
The night was unusually quiet. Zayn had finally drifted into deep sleep, his little chest rising and falling in rhythm against Sara's arm. She carefully tucked him under the blanket, brushing her fingers through his soft hair. Even in dreams, his eyelashes fluttered, and his small hand instinctively reached for hers. Sara's heart melted, and she leaned down to kiss his forehead.
But once he was still, silence crept in again, along with her thoughts.
She turned toward the small window of their modest apartment. The city lights flickered faintly in the distance, moving as if the whole world still had reasons to shine. But she? Her light had dimmed long ago. Some wounds never healed. Some names still echoed like poison in her veins.
Kairo.
Her hands curled into fists at the thought of him. She had buried that name. Locked it away in the darkest corners of her soul. But life had its cruel ways of reminding her, every time she looked into Zayn's green eyes.
She closed her own, whispering to herself like a prayer. You're mine, Zayn. Only mine.
3 years ago
Sara collapsed onto the floor, the letter slipping from her trembling hands, scattering a bouquet across the apartment.
Minutes later, Nora arrived, banging on the door. "Sara! Open up! It's me!"
No response. Panic rising, she tried calling her friend's phone. The ringtone echoed from inside the apartment. Her heart raced. Something was wrong.
Frantically, she ran to the neighbors for help. With their combined effort, the apartment door finally opened, and there she was. Sara lay unconscious on the floor, hands loosely clutching the letter, flowers strewn around her like fallen petals.
"Sara… wake up! Please!" Nora cried, shaking her gently. A neighbor patted her cheeks, rubbed her arms, but Sara didn't respond.
Without a second thought, Nora, with the neighbor's help and rushed her to the hospital.
At the hospital, doctors quickly examined her, administering medication and monitoring her closely. Minutes stretched like hours.
Finally, Sara stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. A gentle female doctor approached, smiling softly. "How are you feeling now?"
Sara gave a faint nod. "I… I'm fine," she whispered, her voice weak.
Nora, eyes filled with worry, turned to the doctor. "What… what happened to her?"
The doctor paused, expression serious. "She's… pregnant."
Both Sara and Nora froze. The words hung in the air like a storm ready to break.
"Pregnant…?"