Mariam Abdul:
"Are you going to accept his offer?" My brother nodded, sensing that something was going on, and my mother simply smiled at me as my dad questioned me with a hopeful and broad smile.

What was Khalid's motivation?Or was there another reason?

"Yes, I am ready," I hesitantly replied to them. They all praised us, told us there would be more talks, and then they departed.Even though Khalid was recovering, there was something about him. He was a challenging person to understand.

"What made you accept?" My eyes widened as he asked for my hand, seemingly lost in thought. What had gone wrong?

"You..." He cut me off.

He said sternly, staring blankly at the wall, "Stay in your limits."

"What is the issue with you?" He merely shook his head when I asked.

"Listen closely, there is nothing personal between us. We are just showing off to show my uncle's daughter and him that we can defeat each other, and we are doing this for your parents, you understand?" He spoke slowly and with a dejected expression, but he quickly covered it up. I was staring at him the entire time, not believing a word he said.

"Warning you in advance," he said .

It seemed like he liked me.

He growled, "I hate you got it, I just hate girls," as he winced in agony from his headache.

I handed him his medication, but he simply refused it and drank water while shaking his head.

He tried to fall asleep and said, "I do not need your pity." I just stood there, dumbfounded.

I warned him, as though he had not heard, "Please take your pills or I call my family members."

"Alright," he replied, taking it.

With an evil smile, he said, "Just because I have a terrible headache and you will not mention any of our conversation to anyone and welcome to hell, my soon-to-be wife."

I knew he was hiding something, but nevertheless, my soon-to-be husband, welcome to heaven. I will work to gradually win your heart. I will find out what is bothering you.

"Are we done talking?"My brother's voice interrupted us, and he looked at Khalid before turning to me; he must have sensed something was off about Khalid.

"Khalid, since the deal went well, you have to read and sign some documents. My brother handed him the file while Khalid appeared worn out and drowsy.

After he signed, we both left the room so he could get some rest.

"What is the issue with him?" As my brother asked me a question, I averted my gaze.

"I will not bring up what you told him," he said, his expression sad and worried.

"He has been experiencing headaches for a few days, even at work," I said softly to him. My brother paid close attention as I spoke, omitting to mention Khalid's recent shift in perspective toward me.

"It seems like you like him?" I was taken aback by his question and remembered every incident. Yes, I did like him, and I now realize all of this, but it is biased.

My brother gave me a hug after I nodded.

He wiped away his tears, thinking of my marriage, and said, "My princess has grown up."

My brother tried to talk me out of it by saying, "He has been through so much, but he is really good at heart, give him time." We spoke for a short while until my dad called us to dinner, at which point my brother sent me instead of going alone, and my parents said they preferred that we get to know one another before moving further with this relationship.

He spent a week at our house to receive better care, so I took a tray of food and drinks and stood at his door, which was next to mine.Ya Allah help me.

"Khalid?"I called him once, but nobody picked up.

" May I come in?"I called out his name one more, and when I heard no response, I carefully opened the door. However, what I saw stopped me cold, rendering me speechless.
***
To be continued,  any wild guesses?