Enjoin good and forbid evil. That is your purpose in life!
---
'Bela! Bela.' Talha grabs the woman by her shoulders as she falls limp against him. She's on his chest and all he can think of is claiming this woman entirely. 'Shoot. I'm only a man for the Love of God!' He mutters under his breath. He stares at her and creates a distance between them. He holds Bela with one hand and turns around waving the other. He manages to draw Saif's attention, his main body guard and second in command, Aaqib come marching forward.
'What should we do, Sir?' Talha glances at the woman in front of him. 'Should we take her?'
'No.' There's no way anyone's laying a finger on her. Not like I'm allowed to. Then again I'm saving her life.
'Do you want to keep her?'
'I have to keep her here. I don't want a case filed against me for kidnapping.' Talha lifts Bela who's slipping through his grip. The woman is petite and slim which makes it harder on him. His iron like grip could break her. God forbid.
'What happened?' Aaqib asks. Saif nudges him slightly, the fellow is fairly new to the whole system.
'If you don't mind us knowing Sir.' Saif adds in. Talha is too distracted to even care about his nosy body guard.
'She fell unconscious at what I showed her. We need to take her inside.' He says whilst looking at Saif.
'Yes Sir.' Saif then barges through the front door with no warning. Talha carries the woman like a bride, over the threshold and into the living room. Everyone gasps in shock and horror at the strangers. Especially at the one carrying the woman.
'Mía Dio!' (My God!) Maria shrieks. 'Who are you? What are you doing to my daughter?' Everyone is stunned and left speechless.
'I'm Talha, her boss. She collapsed outside.' Talha explains.
'What?! How?' Maria rushes toward him. 'Put her down!' She points at the sofa. No one else has the nerve to speak up. Not even Thabith who's still processing the entire situation. Talha complies and places her down slowly, he can smell her sweet perfume and he clenches his jaw tightly. He stares at her closed eyes and longs for them to open. He then rises to his full length and faces two troubled families.
'What are you doing here at this time young man?' Thabith questions with a strong voice.
'I came for something.' He answers vaguely while analyzing the members in the room. His eyes land on none other than Kareem, who looks furious. Good. Be mad.
'How did she faint?' Suzanne throws in while looking at her daughter in law to be.
'I showed her something.'
'What?' Maria intervenes.
'You should ask her.' He says quietly. Quite frankly the image shocked him too, he can't begin to imagine what it did to Bela.
'Sumayya, bring some water! Sara grab a towel.' Maria orders her twins. They were huddled in a corner whispering and now Talha acknowledges them.
'You have no right to touch her.' Kareem speaks up and steps forward in a rage.
'And you do?'
'No but I'm her fiancé which makes me more deserving if anything.' The word "fiancé" ticks Talha off. The jerk has a nerve.
'Too bad she fell on me though.' Talha has the slightest smirk. Kareem breathes hard and tightens his fist. Sumayya and Sara return with the items in hand and they tend to their sister.
'She's marrying me.' The members of both families stare at this argument in shock.
'I doubt it.' Talha rolls his eyes, he isn't sure about that but after her reaction to what he showed her, he's pretty certain that Bela will rethink everything. He watches the twins splash some water on the woman he's fighting over.
'Enough of this.' Maria steps in.
'What?' Kareem completely ignores her, he's too riled up now. 'What is that supposed to mean?' He steps up to Talha who doesn't back away. Beside them Bela begins to stir.
'I'd much rather have Bela explain.'
'No tell me!' Kareem is up in his face at this point. Everyone is alarmed, if he fights me, I won't fight him. Not because I can't but the woman I'm in love with, happens to be overly soft.
'Talha.' Bela calls out softly, her eyes are blinking rapidly trying adjust to the light filled room. Both men flick their gaze hastily to meet hers. She called me? My name? Not Kareem. Ha. Kareem appears to notice this as well as he watches her sit up with the help of her sisters. Her body is tired and all this pressure added to her exhaustion. Bela looks at everyone in the room and tries to stand, but her feet refuse to obey and so she leans on Sumayya. 'I'm sorry.' She tells everyone.
'The introduction is over and done with. Who is he? Why is he here? What is going on?' Kareem questions angrily. Bela is quiet, calm. Stay calm. Just explain yourself and don't falter.
'Talha.' Bela looks at the Man with more clarity. 'I want you to leave.' He freezes at this. He doesn't want to go anywhere, he wants her to explain everything and accept him.
'What?'
'You heard me. Please.' Her eyes plead with him. Their audience is confused at this. 'Talha I'm begging you.' He looks away from her to Saif. I don't want to be the reason for her pain. I need to leave. It's for the best. Saif and Aaqib open the front door and Talha walks out with one last glance in her direction.
'Mi hija, what is going on?' She presses a hand to her forehead and looks at her husband for support.
'Yes, explain this fiasco to us. A moment ago you were outside having coffee with this man.' Thabith points to Kareem. 'Then you fall unconscious and are being carried by that man followed by those two. I mean...' The father of three is very angry. He doesn't know how to explain his feelings on the matter.
'Papa, I know what it looks like but trust me I never wanted this to happen.' Bela holds back her tears and looks to Kareem. 'Do you still want this engagement?'
'I don't know.' He admits. Suzanne comes forward and takes ahold of her son's hand.
'My son hasn't stopped talking about you since the two of you met.' She sighs with a sad smile. A tear slips down Bela's cheek at the sound of that.
'I'm sorry.' She drops her head in humiliation. 'I really am.' Kareem hates to see this woman so distressed.
'Lets think about it.' He suggests with a small smile. 'But I need to know what he has to do with everything.' Bela nods.
'Lets do this tomorrow Kareem.' Suzanne notices Maria cover up a yawn and talk to her husband in a hushed tone. 'I think everyone needs to rest and recover from this.' She begins to gather her things.
'That's a good idea.' Bela says loud enough for Kareem to hear.
'Could I get a glass of water?' She nods and makes her way to the kitchen. He isn't thirsty, he just wants to speak with her alone. Bela pours the jug over the empty glass. 'What are you not telling me Bela?' She places the jug on the wooden counter and lifts the glass with a sigh.
'Nothing.'
'It didn't look like nothing.' He takes the glass from her without breaking eye contact. 'Is he come ex-lover I should be worried about?' Bela shakes her head. 'A concerned best friend?' She shakes her head. 'An arrogant douche with a demanding personality?' Her eyes widen and she covers up a chuckle. He smiles at her reaction.
'He's my boss. He is... He has... He likes me.' She admits. As instantly as that smile came, it fades.
'So I was close.' He sips the water. 'Do you like him?' She's silent. Bela clasps her hands in front of her and thinks of how to answer.
'I spend almost the entire day in his presence. I work for him, with him and around him. It's impossible to not feel anything for him, Kareem.' The man takes in a deep breath and places his empty glass on the counter.
'What about me? What do you feel for me?' He looks lost and Bela feels a dam of guilt wash over her.
'I'm sorry.'
'No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I want this so badly. I'm sorry I want to make it work.' Kareem explains. When he doesn't get a response from Bela, he leaves. He said what he had to say and he's satisfied. Bela on the other hand, is soaked in confusion. Her heart won't tell her what to do. Her mind won't reason and her limbs won't function. She's just tired. Oh Allah, You're the Best disposer of affairs. I believe in you. I trust You. I rely on no one but You. Help me.
---
There ;) so I don't think anyone expected this, ha! I read the comments and most of you expected the picture to be HORRIFIC. Lol. I guess you'll just have to keep reading to find out :P also the picture I've posted is for those living in Sri Lanka. It's a program conducted at AlHuda during Ramadan by an amazing instructor :) please do come and if you're living abroad, share it with people you know, who live here! That's it for now. Peace- Zai x