Her Boyfriend, My Husband

CHAPTER 8

Maryam's POV

"Salamalaikum?" I said immediately the beep was replaced by a still sound. But I heard no reply, I repeated my salam again but there was still no reply. It took me moments before I realized he hadn't picked up and I was talking to his voicemail. I canceled the recording and threw the phone on my bed.

Zainab was standing there, looking relieved before she stepped forward and rested a hand on my shoulder. "It's half past 12, Yusuf's busiest hour. I'm sure he'll call you later but please Maryam, it's no big a deal so stop exaggerating the matter. Just accept the money and get this all over with."

"You know me well enough, you know that is something I can never do. Why would he even do such a thing in the first place? I never said I was in need of money and since he knows this is all a sham, why would he bother fulfilling such traditions?" My self respect is the most valuable thing to me. I can compromise a year of my life and follow through with this but I can never ever compromise my self respect . You know that ZoZo so I just can't do this."

Zainab guided me to my bed and sat me down. "I know you, and I know whatever you'll do and decide now will be the best" Zainab said comforting me with a smile on her face.

I was grateful that she understood and didn't push me any further. "Thanks ZoZo" I said laying my head on her shoulder.

"So which henna looks better?" Zainab asked raising both hands in front of me obviously trying to lighten both our moods as she showed me the two different henna designs on each.

"Left or right?"

I thought for a moment as I considered the intricate designs on each hand. Both were really beautiful, infact I think even prettier than mine cause they weren't very detailed and didn't fill up every space on her hands and palms like mine. I like simple henna designs and I wished we could exchange hands for now.

"This" I finally chose her left hand.

That's what I love about Zainab, no matter the situation, she never lingered too long on a matter. She was always about moving on and we continued our conversation normally for a while, joking now and then and paying no attention to the real situation at hand.

I was getting married the day after tomorrow and that too to none other than Zainab's boyfriend who I know she loves very very much. And on this bases to divorce a year later. But yes, we ignored those taunting thoughts and enjoyed the moment pretty well. Zainab left at around 3pm and promised to be in our house by 6am tomorrow.

I passed the remaining day going everywhere with my phone. Like some girls, I don't carry my phone like some fashion accessory. I could even go the whole day without knowing or caring where it was but today, it was with me at all times waiting for Yusuf's call.

It even helped me with the silent treatment I was giving Yaya Abdallah since I busied myself lurking around on wattpad the whole time. He came over to my room a few times but I pretended to not even notice him. I had to admit I wasn't ignoring him only cause I was angry with him but cause I was afraid. I was afraid he might find out about what was really going on and stop the whole thing. He was a lawyer after all, snooping around was what he did for a living and it was always more so when it came to my suitors, I have no idea why.