Short of words, Zynah gazed at him. He got married to someone else? Good! Why did he feel the need to let her know? Certainly, he didn't expect her to be envious of the same life she ran away from. She shrugged, her demeanor nonchalant. She didn't expect him to not move on after four years. It was his life. He could do as he pleased with it. "Why are you telling me this? It's none of my business, or," she scoffed. "Do you want a congratulations from me?" "I'm telling you because I don't want to hide anything from you. I wanted to be the one to tell you before you hear it elsewhere. This concerns you, Zynah, because we're still married. I'm still your husband." "Not for long," Zynah mumbled. Bilal seemingly didn't hear her because he didn't reply. "I'm not asking you to be honest with me," Bilal continued, searching her eyes. "But I want you to be honest with yourself that you're not affected by this. That you are not hurt by this and that you feel absolutely nothing hearin
After Bilal had driven off, Zynah walked into the house with a sleeping Adnan on her shoulder. Her face scrunched up in anger. The ultimatum Bilal had given her left her completely stressed. She definitely didn't want to breath the same air with him, talk more of sharing a house with him for three while months. She wasn't ready to go back to her previous life even though it'd be temporary. Heaving a sigh of exasperation, she walked into the house. Rashida was curled up in the couch, a fashion magazine in her hands. "Assalamu'alaykum," Zynah greeted, making Rashida shift her attention to her. "Wa'alaykum salaam," She replied, averting her attention back to the magazine in front of her. Zynah smiled. She wasn't a tad surprised by her cold behavior because she was already used to it. Rashida had never liked her no matter how she tried. She had given up trying a long time ago. Just as Zynah was about to walk past her, Rashida spoke, making her stop in her tracks. She turned
Since Ramlah got back from her meeting with Dr. Muslim, she had been pondering over his proposal. She had expected it, but not so soon. She heaved a sigh. Did she love him? She had no idea, so she decided to pray istikhara for Allah to show her the right decision to make. "Ramlah! Are you in there?" Rashida suddenly called from the other side of the door. "Yes, Ya Rashida, the door is unlocked," she replied. "Mom wants to talk to us. Meet us in the room," she said and right after, Ramlah heated the sound of her footsteps retreating. Ramlah heaved a sigh. "What now? The problems never seem to end! • When everyone had gathered in the room, Mr. Aliyu began. "Rashida has told us about the condition he gave you," He stated, putting emphasis on the word 'He' Mr. Aliyu seemed too irritated to even utter his name. "Have you made a decision already?" Zynah had thought long and hard about what she wanted. She nodded. "I'm not going to accept his condition." Her voice was shaky,
"Adnan! Adnan!!" Zynah yelled, racing down the stairs. She couldn't bring herself to calm down even for a split second. Her thoughts kept drifting to many possibilities. What if Bilal had taken him to get back at her? She checked every nook and corners of the living room, but couldn't find him. She climbed up the stairs again and headed to the room she used to share with Ramlah and Rashida. Without knocking, she pushed open the door and barged in, startling Rashida who was seated on a stool in front of the mirror. "Are you out of your mind?" Rashida yelled, placing a protective hand on her bump. "What was that for? Is it your plan to harm my baby?" Breathlessly, she asked. "Where is Adnan?" "Adnan is missing?" Ramlah asked, emerging from the bathroom. "Are you sure? Have you checked the room properly? He might be there somewhere." "He's not! I have checked the room thoroughly, he isn't there. If he isn't here as well, someone must have taken him!" "So you're insinuati
"In sha Allah, he will be fine." Hafsa reassured, placing a hand on Zynah's shoulder. "How could I be so reckless, not to notice he has been sick? What type of a mother am I!" Zynah asked, her eyes glossy. "I should have known." "Quit blaming yourself. With all the things that have been happening lately, it's only natural you didn't notice his health deteriorating." "Sis, I called Ibrahim earlier. He is on his way here." Ramlah informed. "Why did you call him?" Zynah threw her hands up in frustration. "I don't want to bother him more than I already have." "I just had to. If he finds out we hid this from him, he might be offended. I'm sorry," Ramlah apologized. "It's fine," Zynah replied in a low-pitched voice. Just then, Ibrahim appeared, jogging towards them in the waiting room. His gaze fixated on Zynah for a few seconds, before darting to Hafsa. "Good evening, ma." He greeted, bowing his head a little in respect. Hafsa nodded her head in response, and walked aw
Immediately Ramlah got out of their sights, she heaved a sigh and shook her head in disbelief. "The nerve of that man!" She seethed. After everything he did to her sister, he still had the guts to show his face to her and misbehave - she rolled her eyes. Had it been her in her sister's shoes, she wouldn't have tolerated any of his attitude. Sometimes, the way Zynah tended to give him a listening ear annoyed her. He didn't deserve any of that. She, for one, would never believed he'd ever be able to turn a new leaf. • Even after Bilal had left the hospital, Zynah couldn't stop pondering on the things he said. He had refused to spill the beans to her. He insisted that she should ask Rashida herself if she was that curious. Her sister said despicable things about her? But what? Zynah shook her head, an attempt to push the thought to the back of her head. But it was in vain. For some inexplicable reason, she felt very uneasy. She wouldn't be able to rest easy until the truth had
Despite being angry at Rashida for what she'd done to her, Zynah couldn't help but worry about her. Rashida was in so much pain when she was rushed to the hospital. Zynah wanted to go with them, but she decided to stay back. Not out of spite, but because she didn't want to go where she was not wanted. Rashida had shown her nothing but vivid hatred. She felt it was pointless trying to act like everything was alright between the both of them. But still, she hadn't stopped praying for her safety, as well as the child's. Zynah's mind then drifted to Ibrahim. After what had transpired between them the previous night, she felt bad for the way she asked him to leave. She had completely forgotten to call him. She sent him away when he only showed up because he was concerned. She sighed, dialing his number. The best she could do was apologize to him, and make him understand why she had to do what she did at that moment. Ibrahim picked up at the third ring, but didn't say anything. "He
Bilal didn't bother to knock before walking into the house. Zaahida was waiting for him in the sitting room. Immediately he walked in, she walked up to him, her hands folded on her hips. "I was so worried when I returned and didn't see you . Where did you go?" Bilal shot her a death glare. "It's none of your business, Zaahida. Please don't provoke me now." "Alright, I won't ask you again if you don't want to tell me," She said, raising her hands in surrender. "I have arranged the room we will be sleeping in." Bilal looked at her as if she'd just grown horns. "I'm not sleeping in the same room with you. This room has two rooms. Pick one, and I'll take the other." "Come on, Billy," she drawled in a singsong voice. "We are married now," she pursed her lips. "It's only ideal that we sleep in the same room." Scoffing, Bilal untangled his arm from hers and began to walk away. Zaahida puffed out her cheeks as she watched him leave. She was making every effort to win him