F A R A H
The cool breeze cascaded through the streets making me increase my speed. As I reached home I closed the door behind me.“Mom I'm back” Mom is in the kitchen preparing food as today Aunt, uncle and my soon-to-be husband are coming, to be honest, I'm nervous, I don't know what he will think of me. I kept the things I bought on the kitchen counter and help my mom prepare the food. We are almost done when Mom ushered me to go and start dressing up, as they will arrive anytime soon.washing my hands, I went up to my room Yasmin will be coming back anytime from now, As if she read my thought she barged in I jumped back in surprise.“Wow, Yasmin...I was just thinking about you and next time make sure you knock first please” I declared in a serious note.“Done sis” she cracked a smile. “Sis you better start getting ready, you don't want to keep your husband-to-be waiting” she winked at me before I could reply her back, she closed the door and shouted 'I will be back'.taking a warm shower, and wrapping my hair around with a small towel. I opened my wardrobe deciding on the clothe to wear, coming across a beautiful maroon Abaya. I smiled thinking of the day; our lives were filled with so much happiness back then. I made my hair in a tight bun, wanting to put on my veil when Yasmin came back with a full plate of chocolate balls.“Masha Allah sis Farah, you look so takeaway” she sat down on the soft bed staring at me.“You just need one thing”“And what's that?” I asked raising my brows.“Makeup” I stared at her wide eyes.“What? No...You know I don't do makeup” I said shaking my head in negative.“Come on sis just for today, besides don't you want to impress Jawad at first meeting”“Please” she pleaded. If I don't agree with her she won't leave me alone.“Okay just for today” I pressed my lips in a thin line.Thirty minutes later and she's still turning my head from one position to another. “Are you done?” I asked feeling tired.“Just give me a minute” she sprayed something on my face.“What's that Yasmin?”“Calm down sis, it's called setting spray. It is used after you're through with your makeup. A finishing touch to your makeup, okay done” she clapped her hands together. I watched myself in the mirror, Masha Allah. indeed I looked different.“Sis Farah you look stunning, Jawad will fall head over heels for you”I wish“Thanks for the makeup” I smile at her.“Let me check on mom before they arrive” ***“Sis Farah!” I heard Yasmin calling my name, followed by a knock on the door.“Come in” she sat down chuckling“What happened Yasmin, why are you shouting my name?”“They're here, I saw Jawad he's so handsome, just wait till you meet him, I'm so happy” she squirms.“Let's go mom said you should come down” I place my scarf gently on my head and held Yasmin's hands, nervousness crept inside me.Aunt Khadija and her husband were seated on the 3 sitter couch, while whom I assumed as Jawad is sitting on the 2 sitter, his head down pressing his on phone.“Assalamu Alaikum aunt”“Assalamu Alaikum uncle” I greeted them.“W* Alaikum Salam my daughter you look beautiful, how are you” she held my hands.“I'm fine aunt Thank you ”We exchange greetings with uncle too. I sat down on the one sitter chair. The urge to glance at him increases. I lift up my head slowly and my eyes meet with a cold dark eyes, staring right back at me. I quickly averted my eyes looking elsewhere. feeling my heart beat just by his gaze.We were sited at the dining eating while the families we're chatting. All the while I couldn't bring my eyes to look at jawad, he'sJawad quite too, until mom decided to break his silence.“How's Netherland jawad?”“Fine ma'am” he answered masha Allah he has a sweet voice.“He's taking over the company” aunt khadija blurted out. What? Will he be my new boss?Yasmin touched my arm and mouthed 'are you okay' it was then that I realised I didn't eat much.“Sorry” I muttered without being noticed.After eating the families gave us time to to know more about each other. I lead us towards the direction of the balcony, Jawad tailing behind me. We sat down on a bench quite only the sound of birds chirping could be heard.Nervousness is killing me and he's also not saying anything, he just kept looking at his watch. I decided to break the silence.“Salam, I'm Farah” I croak a smile. I'm not sure if it's the right thing to say.“I'm jawad” he said after a while, his voice coming out husky.“You must have heard about me from your parents, so tell me about you” I don't know why my lip blurted it, but it is not a problem to know more about him. Suddenly silence prevail in the background. my head was down so I couldn't tell what he's thinking. and his figure towering behind me wasn't helping either.“Don't worry, you will get to know me when we get married” I was confused by his words but decided to get my mind off the unnecessary thinking of mine.“If you don't have anything more to say again, can we go inside?” wow do I sense rudeness in his tone. •••The family we're now seated in the living when we came back. Jawad sat down beside Uncle, while I squatted close to Mom.“So since everything is settled now, let's fix the wedding date” uncle Abdallah Started. My heart hammered in my chest, now that the wedding is about to be fix I'm feeling kind of insecurities. what if I made the wrong decision. Mom and Aunt Khadija nodded their heads in agreement.“Okay let's fix it in 3weeks time. What do you say Farah, your opinion is what mattered most ” he inquired. We have come this far, there is no need to drag anything more.“Yes uncle” I answered in a low voice. I could swear from the corner of my eyes I saw a hint of anger on Jawad face. But why being angry, he agreed to this reunion too.“Masha Allah. May Allah subhanahu w* ta'ala see us through this day”“Ameen” everyone answered. •••As they are living we accompanied them to their car. Jawad is already in the car as he's the one driving. I saw aunt khadija talking to him before she trekked towards me.“Here, give me your mobile number and don't worry about jawad he's just a little shy" She exclaimed offering me her radiant smile. We exchanged number and they left. I catch a glimpse of Jawad for the last time seeing his face glued to the road.3weeks? In 3weeks time I will be married.J A W A DI can't believe I'm getting married and that to some low-class girl. I just came back from Netherlands that finally I will be taking over father's business but instead I received unexpected news. Events of what happened flashed through my mind.***We were eating dinner when dad announced he wants to talk to me, I was a little bit excited because I knew he was going to talk about handing me the company, but what he said made my eyes widen in shock.“You're getting married” I choked at my food, sipping a glass of water immediately.“What? Dad getting married, I just came back from Netherlands”“No son, you're 25, you're not getting younger you need to settle down and we've already discussed with her family, she's a nice girl, you will like her” I stared at my dad dumbstruck“Dad I can't, I'm not ready to get married, I have a lot planned for myself. ” I blurted out. Seriously I'm not ready for any marriage, besides I want to marry someone I love.“And what if I said you must,
F A R A HIt’s almost a week now since my encounter with Jawad I didn't hear from him, his mom used to call mom so we get in touchPreparation for the wedding is taking place at both houses. Mom had been busy with the preparation and Yasmin is also preparing for her exam. I'm sitting on my desk working on my laptop when precious tap me on the shoulder.“Have you heard about the news?” she whispered looking around the surrounding.“What news?” I asked furrowing my brows.“We're getting a new boss” she chuckled as if it's something to be excited about.“Oh that's good” I fake a smile. My boss and also my husband to be. “I hope he's not like the previous boss” she spat. he's far more like the previous one.Just when we were in the middle of our talk a man walked pass us, dressed in a suit, his hands stuffed in his pocket, my gaze wandered to his face, he has light brown eyes, with a beard, he has a curl black hair. That person is none other than Jawad. I won't lie, the guy is indeed han
F A R A HI was busy with my thought when I heard the ping on my phone. Which is a message from Jawad.Mom is picking you up tomorrow to shop for the wedding dress. The way he wrote the wedding dress with exclamation mark made me think otherwise.I replied with an 'Okay' keeping my phone on the nightstand making sure it's in silent mode and lay on my bed, before I know it, I fell into a deep slumber. •••I was working on some files that needed to be printed out when I heard the landline phone ringing.“Hello” I answered politely.“Where are the files I asked you to bring” Jawad spoke in a low tone, the way he speaks tells me he's not in a good mood.“I'm sorry sir, I will bring it right aw...” he didn't even let me finish and he hung up what's this supposed to mean. We are not even married but he's showing his true self. Ya Allah help me! I prayed.I gathered the files from my desk drawer and quickly made my way to his office. knocking on it, I heard him s
F A R A HI can't believe I'm getting married today, it feels so surreal. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, dressed in the Ash Abaya, my face decorated with makeup, with henna on my both hands. I touched the gold bangles on my hands Mom gave me that papa has been keeping it for my marriage. I look totally different. A small drop of tear roll down my cheeks I wish papa was alive to witness this day, to see his daughter getting married.The door flung open revealing my Mom dressed in her beautiful purple Camisole gown. I wiped off the tear not wanting to spoil my mom's mood she's very happy about the marriage. She trekked towards me, with a smile on her face.“My daughter you look beautiful, I know if your papa was still alive he will be happy too” the tears I've been holding escaped.“No Farah, don't... It will ruin your makeup” mom said wiping off the tear with her palms. I can't help it.“I will miss you” she added.“I will miss you too Mom” just then Yasmin came in clearing h
F A R A HI woke with a neck pain due to uncomfortable position I slept in. checking the time on my phone showing 7:00am I miss fajr prayer. I made my way towards the bathroom, glancing at the now empty bed. Last night event ran through my mind. I felt something warm dropping from my eyes, I wiped it off not wanting to remember his words but my mind keep recalling it.This marriage means nothing to meAfter spending almost fifteen minute sitting on one position, I managed to take my bathe. I felt much better; I prayed salatul fajr which I missed.I went down to greet my in-laws, aunt Khadija and uncle Abdallah are seated across each other while Jawad is seated in one of the chairs beside uncle. His face shows nothing just blank.“Good morning aunt”“Good morning Uncle” I greeted them trekking to the dinning.“Morning Farah, you can call me Mom, get sited” she said.I glance at jawad whose eyes is on me indicating me to act normal like he cares.“Here” Aunt placed two toasted br
F A R A H“What the hell are you doing here” he roars one look at him and you'll know he's very angry ready to explode.“I...I...was” I stuttered finding the right word to way. The words choked on my throat when he took a slow step towards me grabbing my wrist. “You're hurting me please...ja-” I tried to free my hands from his hold but it seems my words were in vain, he lead us to the bedroom pushing me, my hands landing on the hard wall, I wince in pain due to the tight hold on my wrist.“How dare you enter that room" he seethed. “I...was just exploring” I managed to say without looking at him.“Exploring what. You don't have the right to go around my house exploring, stay within your limit, you're nothing but an obstacle in my life” my head snapped to his direction hearing his bitter words. I felt something tug in my heart.He took a predator step toward me, pinning me against the wall his face few inches from mine, pure hatred on his face.“I'm sorry Jawad” I stammered feeling hi
F A R A HIt's been a week since our marriage but nothing changed between us. First, he leaves without eating breakfast, and comes back late, eats his dinner change his clothes and sleep, I wonder if he even prays. He doesn't even care about me, or how I'm doing. what do you expect my inner mind reminds me. But his behavior doesn't stop me from living my peaceful life, as he had already given me a piece of his mind. Since today is Sunday, I decided to make pancakes for breakfast as Aunt Fatima is not around. I know Jawad won't eat but I still prepared plenty just in case.I slumped down on the couch eating my pancake topped with strawberry syrup, my eyes dart toward the stairs hoping Jawad will come down but no sign of him. I cleared my plate putting the remaining pancakes inside the refrigerator for later.I went upstairs and took the new novel I'm reading, which of course belongs to me not from jawad library. Reading makes me forget all my worries, I'm halfway through the book when
F A R A HThe rays of the sun woke me up from my deep slumber, I slept in the same place Jawad left me yesterday. The room was quite only the sound of birds chirping.I literally walked to the bathroom and took a hot bath to soothe my aching body. I dressed into a simple black legging with a white baggy top and tied my hair in a bun wrapping my hijab on it.My eyes roam to the bed finding it clean exactly as it is yesterday, it means Jawad didn't sleep in the room. I ignore the pang of hurt I felt, brushing off the thought of Jawad I decided to make myself some breakfast since aunt Fatima is still on vacation. I stood in front of the fridge contemplating what to make, I decided to make some pancakes with hot chocolate. I set my plate on the dining ready to devour when I heard sounds of footsteps, I don't have to be told who it was because nobody is living in the house apart from me and Jawad. Ignoring him I continue devouring my food.fifteen minutes later, I was done with the little