F A R A H
“What!” I stared at him mouth hung open as if he's grown two heads. His face didn't show any form of a joke. “Why must we act as couples in love, let's act normally,” he clenched his jaw knitting his brows in a frown.
“It's the only option we have,” stuffing his hands in his pocket, he stormed out of the room, closing the door with a loud thud; I let out a small sigh
How can we pretend to be couples in love, when we don't even talk to each other that much, something must be wrong with this man.
I stayed up in my room all day, only go out when it's necessary. Picking up the plate, I took them downstairs, the living room is eerily quiet. Aunt Fatima must be sleeping. Taking a bottle of water and walking towards the room, I heard the sound of something smashing followed by voices which I recognize so well.
“At least try”
“Stay out of my fucking business” hearing the footsteps coming to my direction. I quickly dashed inside and slouched down on the bed, pretending to be sleeping.
The door flung open, followed by a crushing sound, popping one eye open, I met with an angry Jawad, his hands curled into a tight fist, blood dripping from his knuckle. I didn't know when my body took off from the bed towards him.
“Subhanallah, are you okay?” I reached my hands to his knuckle, snatched his hands away, he moved farther away from me as if I'm some germ. Deep down I felt hurt by his action but I tried not to show it. He rests his chin on his palm, raking his fingers through his hair continuously.
Even after all the harsh treatments, I still find myself being worried.
I trekked to the drawer, and took out the first aid kit, biting my lips in nervousness, I sat down not too close and not too far.
“Let me treat your wound”
"Don't touch me," he flinched at my touch. Clenching his fist and moving to the end of the bed. My body stiffened at the remark.
“Don't do this to yourself, please I will only treat your wound,” I pleaded. I don't know why I'm even begging him. He dropped his hands and that gives me a cue to move forward. I gently applied the ointment, he let out a hiss, resulting me to mutter a sorry. Bandaging the wound, I stepped back giving him some space. An awkward silence fell on us, I spoke first to ease the tension.
“I will keep the kit in the drawer, in case you need it” walking to the drawer, his next word caught me off guard.
“Why did you help me?”
Why did I help him?
I can help anyone who is in need.
Or you actually cared.
“Um... I did it for the sake of Allah” taking my nighties out I stormed to the bathroom. By the time I'm out, Jawad is already in bed. I took the blanket ready to sleep.
“Sleep on the bed,” I was caught off guard by his statement.
“It's okay, I'm used to the couch already”
“I insist, I don't want someone to barge in and see us in this position” So it's all part of the act.
Moving towards the bed, I kept one pillow in the center, as a barrier turning on my back.
“Thank you,” I heard him say. Oh my god, I'm I hearing things Jawad thanking me. Is he for real? “Its Okay” A smile dangled at the corner of my lips, pulling the duvet to my body, I let sleep overtake me.
**
The sound of Alarm blared across the room, I groaned scratching my leg, a yawn escape me. Staring at the wall clock bug-eyed. Shit, I miss my prayers. I turned around finding the bed empty, Jawad must've left for office.
After freshening up, and performed my missed Namaz, I wrapped my hijab, walking downstairs.
“Morning dear, you've finally woken up,” Jawad said with much fake tone. So he hasn't left for work. Acting on.
“Oh..morning to you two” I fake a smile. Taking a seat beside Jawad, he placed two freshly baked cinnamon bun in front of me.
“Eat, you must be hungry, ” Like you care.
“I will be going now, I have a meeting in one hour” he stood up, taking his keys from the dinning.
“Bro, drop me off at the airport, I need to pick Myrah” Khalid chirped in. Jawad glared at him but didn't say anything. See you later, Khalid whispered. The two left together; leaving me and aunt Fatima in the house.
My mind wandered to yesterday events, what are they talking about? And why is Jawad so angry? Only Jawad knows the answer.
I helped aunt with the house chore, even though she insisted she will do it alone, but I can't sit at home without doing anything, no job, nothing. I need to look for another job. I used the laptop I found in the room which I assumed belonged to Jawad, after searching for almost one hour, I came across a few ones, which are not even good enough.
**
Slouching myself on the couch, and sipping my strawberry smoothie. The door burst open, Khalid walked in with a beautiful woman, her hair cascading down her back, with a radiant smile on her face. She must be Myrah.
“Hey, Khalid you're back”
“Yeah, meet my wife Myrah” he beamed happily “Myrah this is Farah, Jawad's wife,” he introduced us.
“Oh my, So you're Jawad's wife,” she embraces me in a hug, which caught me off guard.
“Nice to meet you, Farah,” she smiled. “I can tell we will get along, and where is the guy?” the door crack open speaking of the devil.
“Oh...here comes the man of the house” Myrah chirped happily. For the first time, I saw his smile, I felt a pang in my chest. This smile is directed to someone else, not me.
“You're looking more handsome by the day” she smacks his shoulder. Is she normally like this, or... Come on Farah she's married.
“Dinner is ready, let's feed our stomach” I fake smile, walking towards the dining, which is filled with delicious dishes.
We ate eating quietly when Myrah decided to break the silence.
“So how do you guys met Farah,” she asked folding her arms
“Not again Myrah, ask your husband he will tell you”/Jawad stated. Nice one.
“Oh come on tell me” she pouted.
“I will tell you later” Khalid cut her off. I literally ate my food in silence, glancing at Jawad every now and then.
After dinner, we sat in the living room watching a movie which Myrah suggested. I don't even know the name.
“You know, I met Khalid in college, we are very close friends, at first we're both shy to admit our feeling; but later on we realized the love we have for each other and now we are married” she exclaimed happily.
“Let me tell you something Farah, you're lucky to have Jawad as your husband, back in school a lot of girls will do anything to grab his attention, but Jawad being the quiet one, didn't even look at them,” she said her voice sounding serious.
“I need to talk to the guys we need to go on a date” She sprinted upstairs, living me with mouth agape. Date? I have a feeling we'll get along with Myrah.