* hey guys! It's me your very absent author! Sorry for the huge delay... but ya girl just had a baby. Please be mindful of that haha. Thank you so much for reading and continuing your support! **
"Welcome." My father smiled. When did he come back?
As he smiled I felt my stomach plunge. It was a very dreadful feeling.
"Come say hi to your in-laws." My dad waved me over as Ahmeds parents both smiled kindly with Ahmed next to them watching me carefully.
I wanted to jump at his throat.
"Hello." I forced a smile and swallowed despite the huge lump in my throat. I sat on the couch next to my mother who too was tense.
"We are discussing your marriage which will be soon!" My dad boasted and I felt the room spin. I didn't expect it to actaully go this far.
"How much?" I asked as I played with my hands.
My dad inched forward with a frown. "How much what?"
"How much time left until our marriage?" I couldn't look at any of them.
"A month!" My dad laughed. He was so excited to whisk me away.
I felt panic surge through me. A month!? That's not what was promised. I was told I didn't really have to go through with it if I didn't.
"Ok." I just stared at the plush carpet under my feet. I felt the world around me blur and colors mixing slowly.
"Yes, it will be amazing." Ahmed's dad chirped. "Very big extravagant wedding! Whatever you like!"
I'd like to nothing like that. I felt my eyes sting even more. "I need to use the restroom." I quickly got and rushed to the nearest one we had in the house and locked the door. My back slid against the closed door and hot silent tears gushed slowly.
*****
"I heard from Ahmed that you guys will be officially married in a month." Wafa said as we walked to the nearest coffee cafe. Apparently she needed something sweet to brighten up her day. Plus, We were just done with our classes and i honestly didn't want to go home.
My stomach turned. "Seems so."
She sighed. "That's strange how Ahmed suddenly wants to get married. Out of all my cousins he seemed the least likely to like the idea of marriage in the first place." Wafa was Ahmed's cousin?
I simply shrugged because I was numb to this whole thing. "I don't know."
*****
MURADS POV
I saw the glass cup wiz past me and slam against the wall.
I looked on to my mother who had disheveled hair and her suit a mess. She glared at my father.
Bad timing.
I heard them yell and scream vulgar things so this was normal.
"I'm leaving, so continue." I waved my hand off. As soon as I turned the corner I stopped in my tracks after I heard what my father whisper.
"You've divorced me because clearly you've been dating another man."
My eyes widened. They not only hated each other but my mom actually is cheating on my dad? I've always thought it was the other way around.
"He's so much better than you!" She suddenly spilled aloud.
"I shouldn't have ever trusted you." My father replied harshly. "With anything. Not our business, not my money, and not even my friend."
Friend?
Mom was cheating with my dads friend? My heart started beating fast.
"I worked my ass off in New York!" My mom shouted. "You don't even deserve what I did." Her wrinkles she's tried to hide had now shown.
"You also found time to mess around." My dad said lowly. "I don't deserve anything from you when you've literally ruined what we had."
******
HANNA POV:
"I really can't stand him." Wafa glared at Uriel who was seated next to Murad on the bleachers. I don't know what came over me to come to the game when I don't even like basketball.
I looked at Wafa and wondered what was her deal with Uriel? "Why?" I asked, my curiosity getting the best of me.
Suddenly out of nowhere Uriel turned to look directly in our direction as if he had known we were speaking about him. He slightly smirked at Wafa and made intense eye contact.
Wafa quickly looked away as if she was staring directly at the sun.
"What's going on?" I asked her as my eyes paced back and forwards between her and Uriel.
Wafa looked at me, not meeting my eyes. "Nothing."
I sighed. "Let me know if he's bothering you."
Wafa stayed quite, only focusing on the game that was going on.
Suddenly out of no where Mona plopped right next to me on the bleachers. I turned to look at her in surprise and she just shrugged. "What?" She chewed loudly on the gum she had in her mouth. "By the way Murad knows about your soon to be marriage."
My eyes widened and I subconsciously turned to look at him who was seated away from me but easy to see. As if he had felt my stare, he quickly looked up meeting my eyes. Something was weird and his eyes lingered a while before he looked away.
"How does everyone know?" Wafa asked, shocked.
"Ahmed." Mona said and I held my breath. Of course.
*****
When the game was over everyone got off the bleachers in a rush. I suddenly lost Wafa and I got pushed around by everyone trying to leave the gym and get to the after party hosted by one of the football players.
Without knowing I bumped into Uriel who was busy glancing around as if he was searching for someone. As soon as he saw me he spoke. "Hey Hanna."
"Hi." I began walking away but he ended up following me.
"You haven't seen Wafa have you?" He asked, getting to the point.
I looked at him curiously. "I was actually looking for her." I studied his reaction but he showed nothing.
"Oh," he scratched his chin. "It's getting late do you want me to take you home?"
"Hanna!" Wafa called me over frantically from a few feet away. As soon as she saw Uriel her eyes widened.
"Oh there she is." Uriel said as he looked at Wafa.
"Yeah we are leaving." I quickly said because Wafa looked like she really didn't want to speak to Uriel.
Uriel took a long glance at Wafa. Something was hidden in his eyes and I couldn't quite catch what it was. "I-"
"Uriel," Murad's voice sliced through me as he stood behind him. "Hurry up."
I looked at Murad who really avoided my existence at this point. He looked the same but different. It hurt to look at him.
He paid me no mind by looking only at Uriel.
"Hold up," Uriel kept his eyes on Wafa. "I'm going to speak to Wafa real quick."
Murad's eyes flared. "Uriel." He gritted But Uriel was already gone. As soon as Wafa saw him coming she quickly hid into the crowd.
Murad stood awkwardly before taking a. Step away from me.
I don't know what came over me but my mouth opened up and, "Take me home." I blurted.
Murad stopped in his tracks. Despite the crowds of people here and the loudness, I could only hear my pounding heart.
"Please." I breathed. Anything to be near him. My desperate attempts suddenly came at an impact.
Murad turned around and studied me. He surprisingly fished for his keys and quietly walked in front of me giving me the green light to follow him.
As soon as we reached the parking lot he opened his door and I reached for the passenger seat. We sat quietly in the humming new car that was so dark it disappeared in the night.
After a while of listening to my own heart beat and feeling the sweat beads drop my dry mouth finally gave in. "I'm -"
"Don't want to hear it." Murad quickly intervened. He put his hand up and reversed the car.
I held quickly on to his wrist to stop him. He quickly hit the brakes and stared at me. "What is wrong with you?" He glared at my hand. "Don't touch my hand."
Immediately I removed my hand. "Sorry." But I spoke. "I'm not happy with myself." I suddenly blurted.
Murad looked ad me. "What are you talking about?"
"I don't wanna marry Ahmed." I finally said holding my breath as I studied his face.
"Why?" He broke eye contact and stared at the road ahead of us. "He talks about you nonstop."
I cringed but I decided to move on. "I don't love him."
Murad didn't care to meet my gaze. I wanted to know what he thought because I finally put it out there.
He stayed quiet.
The seconds that went by felt like hours.
"You'll need to figure that out." He finally said, crushing my hopes.
My mouth felt dry. "What-what do you mean?"
Murad kept driving calmly and he slowed down after we got near my house. "It's not my problem. I'm leaving anyways." He shrugged.
I looked at him, mouth open. "Where?" I said quietly.
"It doesn't matter." He parked the car on the side of the house.
I felt my heart squeeze itself tightly. "Paris?"
Murad met my eyes and for a second I could see he still was the old Murad. "Yes."
"I knew it." I whispered. Paris was a dream of mine and he knew how much I'd always wanted to go. He promised me that we'd go together at one point for a whole summer. Funny how he picked that place.
Silence settled in completely in the car. Me and him avoided each other. To be quite honest I didn't even want to look at him. How dare he.
"Thanks for the ride." I quickly open the door and get out making sure to close it before he could say anything. Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.
Ha! As soon as my foot hit the ground he quickly sped off. I honestly thought he took my fingers with the door but luckily everything was attached to me still.
When he was out of sight I decided to come up with a plan. The only thing that will work in my opinion.
***
Later that night I called Wafa to tell her everything and the hatered I had for her cousin. She was understanding and told me what will I do.
"There is only one thing." I spoke to Wafa on video call. "Prolly the only thing that will stop this wedding."
She put a chip in her mouth. "And what's that?"
"That I'm having Murad's child."