Chapter 11

It was morning again. He had closed his eyes in the darkness of the night, feeling the warmth of her body and opened them in the cold dawn but still in her warm embrace. He opened his eyes and sat upright, not believing what he just did the previous night. He averted his gaze to the side, she was still asleep. She looked so calm while sleeping. How on earth could he accuse her of giving herself out to some trashy men outside. Why would he ever look at her that way? He was amused that she was still a virgin and he had no right to accuse her of not being a virgin. Now how would he look at the girl when she wakes up? With this thoughts, he got off the bed and sauntered into the bathroom to take a hot bath. A little while later, he sauntered out and dressed up before praying considering that it was past Fajr prayer. After praying, he moved to the bed side and gently tap on her shoulder but she never woke up. Instead, twisted her face in annoyance in her sleep. He took a deep breath and relaxed. It was hard for his mind to be in panic when his body was relaxed. He took the vanity stool and placed it beside the bed. He settled down and fixed his eyes on her. Today, he was happy but no human could tell. It's under the surface and mixed with some anxiety. He wasn't used to the combination, it was truly odd. He was utterly confused about the new feelings swirling inside him. Ahmad smiled softly. He wasn't sure of what he was feeling but he lived long enough to know that what he feels for Hidayah, he can never replicate with another woman. He was there with her, staring at her till she finally woke up. As her eyes opened, her limbs flex in pain. The moment their eyes locked, Ahmad knew there was going to be war but instead, she looked away and tried to get off the bed. He helped her and to his surprise she didn't stop him. She needed the help anyways. Hidayah came out of the bathroom after a long while. With slow, careful steps, she walked out of the room to hers'. He only looked at her without uttering a word. At that moment he had no right to stop her from doing what she intended to do. Not after what he did without her consent. She walked into her room and dressed up before praying. With an aching body, she collapsed on the bed, leaving behind nothing but the essence of misery which swirled through her. She never thought he could do that to her. She can honestly say she doesn't hate anyone, she never had. But what she feels towards Ahmad, she could say it was more than hatred. A part of her wants to be far away from everything, most especially him. He had done something to her that she could never forgive him for. He left a painful bruise that would leave a huge scar in her heart. An hour later, he walked in, holding a cup of hot tea with a plate of cookies Nafisa made last night. He dropped it by the side drawer and also a pack of pain reliever. She never looked up nor responded to whatever he was saying. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. God knows she wanted to yell, scream, throw things at him, say hurtful words to make feel the pain he made her go through last night. He got tired of talking and sauntered out of the room. Hidayah hissed annoyingly as she sat up to eat. She never knew she was hungry until she saw the mouthwatering cookies and steaming hot tea. Hours later, Hidayah was fast asleep when he came in again, same time she woke up from her long nap. With her bulging eyes, she stared at him, waiting to hear why he was standing right before. He dragged a stool and settled down. 'How are you feeling?" He asked. His eyes filled with worry and guilt as he looked at her intently. She furrowed her eyebrows and rolled her eyes before getting off her bed and ambled into her bathroom. He was still in her room when she came out of the bathroom. She walked to where her prayer mat was and spread it. Before she finished praying, he left the room fully knowing she could throw a tantrum any moment if he tried urging her. ** A week passed by in a blur, Hidayah was in her room, reading a new novel Nafisa brought for her. She was so engrossed with reading her novel that she never noticed when he came in. She slowly lowered the book and gave him a stern look. 'Get ready, we're home to visit ummah. It's been long since we visited them seeing that you weren't feeling well." A smile appeared on her lips by the mention of home. He stepped out of the room while she got up to get dressed. She picked out the perfect dress and stripped off her clothe and put on the dress eagerly. In less than 10 minutes, Hidayah was done getting ready. Before he could look her way, her perfume announced her arrival. He gazed her way and looked at her from head to toe. Her perfume was so strong that it could be smelt from a distant. Her dress was so tight, leaving him wondering how she managed to walk down the stairs. His chest felt tight. 'Go and wear something appropriate and don't spray that perfume again. Or your brain is filled with water that you think I'll let you go out looking that way?" He spoke with so much irritation, the refusal of acceptance in his eyes audibly seen. 'Look, if you won't go out with me like this just say it, but I know that I'm not changing my outfit..." Without hesitation, Ahmad rose to his feet and grabbed her hand. 'By Allah you're not going anywhere looking like this. It's either you change outfit or I will do it myself." He declared upon entering her room. Fully knowing that he's capable of doing that or even heading out without her, Hidayah exhaled sharply and hissed. 'Just get out of my room." Ahmad smiled keenly and walked out. She briskly changed into a black abaya and stepped out. She came down immediately and met him sitting in the living room, waiting for her. Before she approached him, Ahmad just stared, soaking in the warmth of her eyes. His grin was forming as she stood before him. 'Can we go now?" She mumbled angrily. He shrugs it off and stood up. He led the way out to the car. On their way to the house, Ahmad gazed at her with a yearning expression. She seemed so pissed for the reason he knew he caused. He badly wanted to lace their hands together, but having an accident was the last thing he'd want that night. 'Why do you look so upset? Is something bothering you?" His gesture was almost affectionate. She crossed her arms, shrugged her shoulders and looked the other way. She made no reply, the teasing remark annoyed her. He heaved a sigh, eyes on the road. All he wanted was to make things work between them. Ever since he found out that she was pure, the feeling he had for her intensified. He wouldn't call it love but with was something greater than just a ‘like'. The moment they arrived, she alight from the car and ran inside. She encountered with Ummah in the living room together with her two sisters, Aisha and Nafisa. Hidayah jumped on her mother and pulled her into a bear hug. Ummah was beyond happy to see them together, looking blithe. Hidayah shuts Nafisa a glare when she tried talking to her. 'Don't talk to me. So you promised to come back but you ran away right?" She shots her a playful glare. Nafisa smiled apologetically. 'I told you I had exams to prepare for and your husband called and told me he came back, that's another reason why I didn't come back." The girls went upstairs while ummah and Ahmad stayed behind to discuss. 'I got new makeup." Nafisa announced, gleefully. Hidayah peers her way briskly. She was long gone, thinking of a way to call Adam using Nafisa's phone but she was petrified. 'Really where did you get it from?" Hidayah asked, audibly uninterested in their conversation but she had to keep it going to avoid being suspicious. They chit chatted until it was time for them to leave. Ummah still gathered them both and reprimanded about the same thing she does whenever they visited. 'I know how wayward you can be, Hidayah. Please Ahmad, you should be more patient with her as I know how she can be stubborn sometimes." Hidayah furrowed her brows and scoffed. 'Ummah you should also tell me to be patient with him. Do you know the kind of vicious things he does to me? Ummah do you know what this man..." Then she paused and exhaled sharply, nose flaring. Ummah gaped at her and shook her head. Ahmad took a glimpse at her, biting his lips to hold his laughter. 'Ahmad take your wife and go please. I can't with her." Ahmad couldn't help but chuckle. He couldn't find the reason why he wasn't angry with what she said. Or maybe because the intensity of the likeness has grown stronger. He laugh out a heartily laugh when he remembered what Hidayah did few moments back. She glared at him and hissed when she heard he sound of his deep voice, laughing. 'So let me get this straight, you wanted to tell ummah what happened between us last week?" He pointed out, a smile completely enveloping his face. Hidayah faced the window without uttering anything to him. Irritation surged up inside her. He gazed at her and fixed his eyes back on the road. He heaved a deep sigh. How does he even expect her to be cool with him after what he accused her of and got intimate with her without her agreement, then all of a sudden act normal, like nothing happened. 'Look, I know whatever happened should not have happened the way it did. I had the wrong idea of you and I shouldn't have accused you the way I did last week. Please forgive me for what I did. My intention was pure, I admit. I did not want to hurt you one bit. I am really sorry for what I said and also what I did... to you." A strange feeling washed over him with unbreakable force. He patiently waited to hear her say something as he silently begged for her to at least insult him but instead, Hidayah ignored him. The silent treatment was killing him slowly. He glanced at her, she had her eyes fixed on the window, watching the silent street of Abuja and the building which came to view and passed. Deep in her heart she was relieved to hear him say that, considering she was hurt by his heart stabbing words, but now she was at ease. From nowhere came the sound of Ahmad's phone that was kept between them. She peeped at the person calling. A boiling fury swelled inside of her when she caller's name. Layla? With a heart right beside the name? A red heart? He had the audacity to talk to other girls after her? He had another girl outside? Why would he do that? Wasn't she enough? Hidayah tried to act nonchalant by looking away. Her eyes narrowed and her teeth clenched together. Amidst of his phone calls, Ahmad took brisk glimpse at her same time she looked at him and eyed him. 'So when are we going please? You promised me this week but you never called." Layla spoke as she pursed her lips, as if he was there with her. Ahmad continued with his phone call until they were about to pass the road safety and he knew it was illegal to answer a call while driving. He put the phone on speaker and kept it between them. Hidayah didn't know she was furious until she heard the soothing voice of Layla. She sound so calm and composed. All through that, he was observing her reactions. 'No, captain boo, you're not escaping this one. We have to go out tomorrow, I'm helping you keep your promises." She finished off with a giggle. Hidayah clenched her fist angrily. 'Yes dear, just send me the location and time, and I'll be there, okay?" 'Omg, yes... Okay, bye, I love you." Ahmad's lips curved upwards. 'I love you too. Bye." Then, she ended the call. Hidayah looked at him same time he took a glimpse at her with the corner of his eye. She was angry, he could tell by the way she looked like she was about to strangle him. And anyone could tell by the looks of it, she was jealous. He bite his lower lips to avoid the laughter from escaping. Never in his wildest dream has he ever thought she'd ever worry about him talking to other girls, but tonight, she had proven him wrong. The moment they arrived home, she dropped down from the car and slammed the door hard before she stormed into the house. He threw back his head and let out soft, gentle laugh. He crossed his arms over his stomach in an attempt to catch his breath. Finally, he stepped out of the car and followed her in. He met her in her room, undressing as she threw everything on the floor. Her pulse sped up and she was breathing very shallow. He wandered across the room and stood inches away from her. 'What's wrong? Why would you step out of the car that way and slam my door?" She let out a growl out of annoyance. 'I don't know! Aren't you going out with some other girl? What is your business with whatever I do? What are you even doing in my room?" His laughter echoed in the large room, causing her to be more infuriated. 'Wha- what do you mean by the way you're laughing? Oh, so now I've turn to some sorta clown or what?" Ahmad shrugged his shoulders and sauntered out of the room, leaving her standing there fuming. She hissed angrily and stormed into her bathroom to take a shower before going to bed. She came out shortly. Got dressed for bed and laid down, closing her eyes. Hidayah took a deep breath and thought of it again; how could her own husband talk to another lady, right before her? Tell her he loves her? Something he has never told her before. How could he even do that to her and then laugh to her face when she confronted him. Hidayah scrambled up, like she was lying down on a needle. Without even bothering to wear a scarf, Hidayah stormed out of her room and went straight to his room.