SURPRISE!!!

In the dark room, Jameel sat on the edge of his bed; his face etched with deep lines of frustration. Beads of perspiration formed on his forehead, bearing witness to the heated exchange he had just experienced with Afrah. A trace of despair lingered in his eyes, reflecting the turmoil within. He had gotten so angry that he wanted to damn all consequences and utter the two words that would forever change his life. The smirk on her face when she dared him to divorce her was still haunting it. It was a smirk of mockery for she knew he wouldn't be able to do it. She looked into his eyes and dared him to do it, yet he couldn't.

Exasperated, Jameel held his head between his hands and growled. He had never felt so weak in his entire life. He felt like the weakest person on the surface of the earth. Afrah had managed to push all of his buttons, exploit all of his vulnerabilities, and left him stranded in his feelings.

Jameel had always prided himself on his strength, both physical and emotional, but now, all of it seemed to have crumbled away.

"Are your hands tied? Do it! If you're man enough, do it, Jameel. I double dare you!"

Afrah's words echoed in his mind; her voice taunting him with every passing second. She had a way of getting under his skin, knowing exactly which buttons to press to provoke a reaction. She knew how much he loved her and had decided to take advantage of that. Her precision in dismantling his self-confidence was nothing short of brutal.

Jameel clenched his fists, feeling more anger bubbling up inside him. It wasn't just her words that wounded him. It was the way she looked at him; the contempt in her eyes made him question his worth in her life.

Taking a deep breath, Jameel tried to gather whatever strength that remained within him. He knew he couldn't allow Afrah's words to define him. He had to find a way to rise above this feeling of weakness and regain control. Even if it meant rebuilding from the ground up, Jameel was determined to prove to himself that he was stronger than he had ever believed.

Still lost in the depths of his anguish, a soft creaking sound broke through the suffocating silence.

Without looking up to see who it was, he yelled; "Afrah, get out!"

"It's me," Najah's soft voice made him calm down a little.

Again, Jameel felt stupid for he had expected Afrah to follow him and attempt to sort out their differences.

Najah approached him cautiously, her steps gentle and deliberate, as if afraid to disturb the fragile state of his emotions. The warmth of her touch brushed against his trembling shoulder, sending a shiver down his spine. "Jameel," Her voice, soft and tender, whispered words of solace, like a gentle melody amidst the chaos. "Are you okay?"

"I'm not," he answered. "It feels like my head is about to explode."

Standing in front of him, Najah pulled his head to her chest; her hands wrapped around it. "Everything is going to be fine," she whispered. "You're going to be fine. Just take a deep breath and breathe out.

Jameel closed his eyes, taking in Najah's scent. For some reason, it was soothing. He could feel his anger slowly diminishing and being replaced by sadness.

"Do you feel better now?"

Jameel nodded against her chest. "Did you hear our voices?"

"Uhm..." She replied. "It was like a shouting competition. I'm sure the neighbors heard too. I didn't even know you were back," her fingers caressed his face. "Until I heard your voice. What happened?"

"Did Hajiya knock on Afrah's door and she ignored?"

"Jameel," Najah pulled back; her hands now cupping his face. "don't tell me you're doubting Hajiya's words right now."

"I'm not. I believe everything she told me but for my conscience to be clear, I need to hear it from a third party. Did she?"

"Yes," Najah replied. "She did. I was there with her. We knocked for over five minutes and Afrah didn't open the door. Hajiya got really angry...I don't know why she did that though. Maybe she was sleeping or in the bathroom."

Jameel shook his head in disagreement. "Afrah? She wasn't sleeping or in the bathroom. She did that deliberately."

"But why is she acting like that towards Hajiya? She should know that she can't be at loggerheads with your mother. Does she not know that this is causing you to be stressed? I hate seeing you like this."

Jameel looked up at Najah. In her gaze, he found a sanctuary, a safe haven where he could let go of his burdens. She understood the depths of his pain and offered him the solace he so desperately craved. "You understand me so much."

"That's because I love you so much," Najah smiled. "I'm able to understand you because I put your happiness above mine."

Jameel wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to his body. Her presence enveloped him like a protective shield, shielding him from the pain and insecurities that threatened to drown him. "I love you too, Najah. Thank you for being here."

The anger that had consumed Jameel completely dissipated and was replaced by a sense of vulnerability and acceptance. He couldn't remember the last time Afrah made him feel that loved. She had taken it upon herself to make his life a living hell.

"Always," Najah planted a kiss on his forehead. "Even if everyone turns their back against you, I will be there as your support system. You will always have me by your side. I will always be your best friend before a wife. You and Hajiya are the only family I have. Your happiness is paramount to me."

Wordlessly, Jameel tightened his arms around her waist. If there was something he was a hundred percent sure of, it was Afrah's love for him. "Najah..." Jameel called, releasing his arms from around her waist.

"Yes?"

"I want you to be honest with me. Completely."

"I always am."

"What do you think about my relationship with Afrah?"

"Hmm...I really don't know how to answer this."

"Do you think she's controlling me?"

"I don't think so. You're not someone that can be controlled."

Afrah's response boosted his ego a little. He nodded. "Do you think she doesn't feel the same way I feel about her?"

"Truthfully?" Afrah asked.

"Don't mince words."

"Okay...if she truly loves you, she wouldn't be doing the things she is doing right now. She would want you to be happy. She would get along with the most important person in your life. I hope this answers your question."

Jameel couldn't agree less with Najah's words. He had been foolish to think he and Afrah loved each other infinitely. He loved her. She did not. "Thank you."

"You must be hungry. Let me go and get your food."

Jameel held her hand before she could get away. "I don't feel like eating anything. Maybe later. I just want to rest now."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded.

"Alright, I should leave you to get some rest then."

"Stay. Sleep here tonight."

"Jameel," Najah looked at him in disbelief. "You know I can't. It's not my right to do so today. You have to go to Af—"

"Don't mention her name." He warned. The thought of even seeing her face annoyed him to the core. "I don't want to hear it."

"I'm sorry."

"Are you staying?"

"I want to but I—"

Jameel let go of her hand. "Then leave."

She shook her head. "I will stay. I won't be able to sleep well, knowing you're low-spirited and alone."

•

"Jameel?"

Najah's voice woke Jameel from his slumber.

"You didn't eat anything last night, so I woke up early to prepare breakfast for you. I didn't go back to sleep after fajr."

Jameel's gaze darted to the breakfast tray sitting in front of him. He gave her an appreciative smile.

"Have a bite of the toast and tell me how you like it."

Jameel had a bite and nodded. "I give it a hundred and one out of a hundred."

Afrah's smile widened. "Hajiya said the same thing. I'm glad y'all like it."

"I'm going to the office early today."

"Alright, but I hope you will return early today. At least for Hajiya's sake."

"I will."

Najah held his hands in hers and looked into his eyes. "How are you feeling this morning? I hope your anger has lessened. Afrah—"

"Please," he cut her off; his mood ruined. "Don't talk about her."

"Sorry."

Jameel pushed aside the tray and got out of the bed.

"Are you—"

"I have lost my appetite." He said and made his way to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom and went to the closet to find something to wear.

Clad in his white kaftan as it was Friday, Jameel left his room for Hajiya's.

"Assalamualaikum," he muttered and waited for his mother to respond before walking into the room.

"Hajiya, I'm leaving for work."

"Toh, Jameel. May Allah ease your affairs. Go and return safely."

"Thank you, Hajiya. Is there anything you'd like me to get for me when returning?"

"No...I don't think I need anything right now."

"Alright, Hajiya. Bye. Take care of yourself. Feel free to stroll around the house. Najah is here to keep you company and to prepare whatever you want."

"Is Najah my slave?"

"I don't mean it that way, Hajiya... Najah enjoys doing these things for you. She'd gladly do them. None of us even have to ask."

"But Afrah can't? Doesn't she also have a responsibility towards me? Today, I want her to be the one to cook for me. Najah did yesterday and even this morning. Afrah should today. Najah will rest. I want you to tell this to her."

"Hajiya..." Jameel's voice trailed. He had intended to avoid Afrah the whole day.

"Am I asking for too much? Or you simply can't ask her to do it?"

"It's not like that, Hajiya," Jameel sighed. "Najah doesn't have a problem cooking. She loves cooking."

"It doesn't matter. She's not going to do it today. The fact that Najah doesn't complain doesn't make it okay for her to keep doing all the chores in this house. She's no one slave. I want Afrah to be the one to cook today."

"Alright," Jameel swallowed. "If that's what you want."

•

Taking a deep breath, Jameel pushed open the door to Afrah's room. The scent of her room freshener filled mixed with the faint scent of baby powder filled his nostrils.

Afrah sat on the edge of her bed, cradling their baby in her arms.

Without saying a word to her, he extended his arms, motioning for her to pass the baby to him.

Afrah hesitated for a while before giving the baby to him.

With utmost care, Jameel took the baby from Afrah. A tender smile curved his lips as his son stirred, sensing his presence, and a soft coo escaped those tiny lips, like a melody that could melt even the coldest of hearts. He marveled at how beautiful and calm his baby looked. For this precious gift, he knew he would do anything to protect him. Despite how angry he still was at his mother, he found solace knowing that no matter the storms that may rage between them, the love he shared with his baby will forever be a beacon of light.

"Did you miss Daddy?" Jameel asked, placing kisses on his forehead and cheeks. "I know you did. Daddy is off to work, but he will be back early to spend time with you, together with granny." Jameel placed one final kiss on Fawaaz's forehead before giving him back to his mother.

Jameel couldn't help but notice that Afrah hadn't even looked at him since he entered the room, talk more of speaking to him. Although he felt a pang in his heart, he acted nonchalantly.

"Hajiya wants a meal prepared by your hands."

The way Afrah's body suddenly stiffened didn't go unnoticed by Jameel. He didn't care. He continued; "Hajiya expects this from you. Don't let her down." Jameel didn't wait for her reply before turning around and walking out of the room.

•

Assalamualaikum/hello!

What do you think about this chapter?

Do you think Jameel is doing too much?

What do you think about Najah in all these?

Do you think Hajiya has overstayed her welcome or do you think she has the right to stay in her son's house for as long as she wants? 👀

Do you see Afrah and Jameel settling soon or is this the beginning of the end of the relationship they fought so hard to keep?

Anticipate the next chapter 😊

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