Chapter 4: The Unspoken Bond
Everyone was still stunned.
The soft thud of Abid's small feet echoed faintly in the silence as he approached Noor. His wide, innocent eyes, barely blinking, shimmered with something unspoken. Then, out of nowhere, his lips trembled slightly, and he whispered,
"Mama..."
Noor froze. Time stood still around her.
Her body stiffened as the word hit her like a wave, crashing straight into her guarded heart. Her eyes slowly lifted to meet Sadiq's — and to her surprise, he was already looking at her.
Sadiq's expression matched her own: shock... disbelief... and something else. Something deeper.
Before Noor could even respond, the little boy said something softly again — this time, in Arabic.
Sadiq, standing nearby, immediately translated in a low, almost hesitant voice.
"He said… 'Where have you been for three years, Mama? I've never seen you before.'"
Noor's breath caught. Her gaze stayed fixed on Abid, but Sadiq's eyes — filled with a silent plea — met hers. Without speaking, he seemed to beg her: "Please... don't break my son's heart. Just stay, for now."
Noor gave a small, nearly imperceptible nod. Her eyes shimmered with an unspoken promise.
Then, her voice, soft yet filled with a depth that made everyone turn:
"Now… I will always be with you."
The weight of her words lingered in the air. Sadiq's expression shifted again — this time, softened — surprised by the gentleness in her tone, so different from the cold wall she always held around him.
Just then, the sound of the main door creaked open.
All heads turned.
A graceful figure stepped in — Shakina, Noor's mother. Dressed in a subtle shade of teal, her aura was calm yet commanding. Close behind her was Shahid, Noor's father — his presence silent but powerful.
Flanking them were the youngest members of the family: the bubbly, ever-curious Arzoo, skipping slightly, and Adil, with his hands tucked in his pockets, observing everything with quiet interest.
Their entrance brought a subtle shift in the atmosphere — a warmth that contrasted the earlier tension.
Sensing the lingering heaviness, Mehak gently stepped forward and spoke in a tone both diplomatic and warm,
"I think we all need a moment to talk... together."
Everyone slowly moved to the sofa set, finding places, settling into a circle.
As they took their seats, a brief moment of stillness returned. The reality of what had just occurred was beginning to sink in.
Mehak cleared her throat, her voice composed,
"There's something I need to tell everyone…"
Her eyes swept across the room, finally landing on Noor.
"You all might not know… but this man —" she gestured toward Sadiq gently, "—is Sadiq Al-Amoudi."
Gasps echoed lightly.
"The president of the Al-Amoudi Group," Mehak added calmly, her voice measured but impactful, "One of the most powerful business families — known across continents."
Noor's expression changed — not into surprise, but a subtle acknowledgment. Because she had only come to know this earlier today — when Mehak had met his personal assistant Ayaan and the guards who came looking for him.
The knowledge had shocked her too, but she'd kept it to herself until now.
Mehak sat back, allowing the silence to stretch just enough.
Everyone turned to Sadiq, whose calm exterior never wavered.
A long pause…
And then, Sadiq finally nodded once, solemnly — confirming everything.
Noor's eyes, still a bit wide from earlier, met his again. Her abaya moved slightly as little Abid clung to it — his tiny hands holding onto the fabric as though he feared she'd vanish.
Mehak looked around, her eyes noting the many quiet expressions.
Arzoo twirled a strand of her hair, clearly curious but a bit too young to understand it all, while Adil tilted his head slightly, as if trying to read between the lines.
Noor sat in silence, her hand gently placed over Abid's, grounding him... maybe grounding herself too.
And though no one spoke for a while, in that quiet, a new understanding was slowly blooming.
A fragile, unexpected beginning — held together by one word.
Mama.
Shahid glanced at Sadiq thoughtfully and said, "You are such a kind and humble man… yet powerful. And with power comes both allies and enemies."
Sadiq nodded silently.
Shahid continued, "That's why… I found you injured last night."
Sadiq's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't speak. His thoughts stormed within him.
So… she saved me. She isn't a trap for me. She saved me from them. And what did I do? I… suspected her.
Before the silence could stretch too long, Arzoo, with her childlike curiosity, leaned forward slightly, her eyes sparkling. "You really are Sadiq Al-Amoudi?"
Sadiq turned slightly toward her, his expression softening as a gentle smile tugged at his lips. His usually intense eyes glimmered with warmth.
"Yes, little princess," he said kindly, his voice dipped in affection.
Arzoo beamed at the title, her earlier shock melting into a delighted grin. She glanced at Adil, who gave her a knowing look, amused yet quiet in his thoughtful manner.
The tension in the room seemed to ease just a little with Sadiq's gentle tone, like a soft breeze cutting through a storm.
As the air softened with the brief exchange, Noor looked up again, her gaze steady now—curious, calm, and tinged with something deeper.
"So," she began gently, "as someone who has so many responsibilities… businesses to run, a powerful name to carry, why were you here? So far from your home?" Her voice was not accusatory, only inquisitive, but it held a quiet edge.
"Your business is in Korea. Your family is in Arabia. Yet you're here, in India… with your little son." Her eyes briefly flicked to Abid, who was now curled beside her abaya.
Listening to their questions, Sadiq suddenly winced, his hand rising instinctively to his temple. A sharp throb surged through his head, and he staggered slightly, losing balance.
Noor stepped forward immediately, her instincts faster than thought. She caught his arm firmly, steadying him before he could fall. "Sadiq..." she whispered, concern softening her features.
Mehak hurried over, kneeling beside him. Her fingers went straight to his wrist, then to his forehead. "He's burning up," she said seriously. "His fever has risen. He's been straining too much."
She looked up at the others with a tone that left no room for argument. "He needs to rest. I don't think we should continue this conversation right now."
Sadiq leaned slightly against Noor's hold, his strength waning. Everyone watched, the earlier questions and tension fading into silence. Noor didn't speak, but the look in her eyes—steady, unreadable—lingered on him as if speaking volumes of what she could not yet say.
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INT. HOTEL. EVENING.
Sadiq lay on the bed, his brows slightly furrowed in sleep, beads of sweat still visible across his forehead. Abid, curled up gently at his side, was fast asleep—his tiny form resting peacefully. Noor sat closest to Sadiq, on a chair beside the bed. Her head leaned slightly forward, one arm resting on the bed, and the other hand gently holding Abid's.
Abid's hand was in the middle—held softly by both Noor and Sadiq, as if he unknowingly connected them in sleep. A gentle bond had formed between the three, like a quiet family thread tied without words.
On the opposite side of the room, Mehak sat on a sofa, a book open on her lap. Though her eyes scanned the pages, her thoughts seemed far away. Ayaan sat nearby on a separate armchair, reading through some documents with quiet focus. The whole room was covered in a warm stillness, the golden hue of the evening sun spilling through the curtains.
As Sadiq slowly stirred awake, his fingers twitched around the warm touch of Noor and Abid's hands. His lashes fluttered open, and the first thing he saw was Noor, asleep in that soft, leaned-forward posture—her knee touching the bed, her temple resting on her hand. The weight of her silent presence touched something deep in him.
His slight movement made Noor shift gently, her brows tightening as if sensing the change even in sleep. Her lashes lifted slowly, and their eyes met—quietly, unexpectedly. For a heartbeat, the world hushed around them. Noor's expression held no anger, no words—just a stillness that neither pushed him away nor pulled him close.
Sadiq's voice, hoarse and low, broke the silence. "I'm sorry, Noor... for suspecting you."
Noor blinked, her gaze lingering on him. She said nothing—only looked at him with unreadable eyes. Instead of answering, her voice came calm but different, with a question that lingered in the air like a soft breeze. "Where is Abid's mother, Sadiq?"
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Questions for My Moonbeams:
1. How did you feel about Sadiq's apology to Noor?
2. What do you think Noor means by asking about Abid's mother?
3. Which part of this scene touched you the most?