CHAPTER | THIRTEEN | UMAYMAH | POV

Ahead of me stood fifteen boys beaming at me. Some looked older while some were younger than me, but they for sure looked happy to see me. Unlike last time, I wasn't being dragged inside the house with all sorts of weapon threatening to slice my throat.

"It's finally good to meet you. And we're sorry about before." A frown came upon the boy as he spoke, followed by everyone else.

"Don't worry about it, it was my fault anyway. So, are you going to introduce yourselves?" I asked with a smile changing the topic and Shoaib squeezed my hand that was in his to show I was doing good.

Like promised he had prayed but he still had to recite Quran to me when we got home. I was looking forward to it and he knew this too.

"I'm Max, this is Carlos, Aidan, Luke, Ali, Ben, Hamza, Jamal, Diego, Drake, Nick, Brett, Chris, Aaron and finally Matt." I tried keeping up as he went down the line telling me everyone's name, but there was just too many.

"I think I'm going to need reminding." I groaned and placed my face in my hands while everyone laughed at me.

We had already been here for half an hour and watched everyone eat and because of that I decided to leave all introductions till the end. I didn't want to disturb them from eating as I knew the feeling of wanting to eat. Sighing, I turned to face Shoaib.

"I was thinking, maybe they could come down every Sunday or something for a meal." I looked at him to try and figure out if he was happy or not. Well just my luck as he had a smile.

"That's a great idea. You can go out in the car and I'll come in a minute." I gave a nod and with a wave at the boys I left the house to the car.

Today was much colder than yesterday and as I sat in the car, I fumbled with the band of rings on my fourth finger. I wasn't used to jewellery and the rings weren't compulsory, but I wanted to wear them. All in all I was liking just how this day has turned out.

The fact that I had been married for a day seemed normal and not at all awkward like I thought it would have before. There was always that little bickering, but it was all play so it made things more fun - at least I hoped it was.

I heard the car door open and I gave Shoaib a smile while he took his place in the drivers seat and started the car. Immediately my hand went to switch the heaters on, seeing that little bits of frost were starting to form outside, making me shiver.

"That went better than I thought." His voice rang throughout the car as he began driving out of town.

"I know, didn't expect them to welcome me so easily." I admitted.

"Well you're the new part of our family, they have no choice but to." Him being nice was just so weird to me. I was used to his typical rude behaviour, but this change was definitely nice. We needed to go to our parents soon to show his new improved attitude.

Multiple times in the day I thought whether he was putting up an act just to get me off his back but I always let those thoughts go. I didn't want to ruin what had happened so far if I brought up - he might get angry and knowing his temper, the niceness wouldn't last long at all towards me or these new changes for that matter.

Though we had become 'friends', there was no romance between us. He held my hand a few times but that was all I would allow. Until I felt he completely changed without me reminding him of his duties then maybe we could be a real couple.

"We're here now." He gave me a slight push and I unbuckled myself to get out the car and moved quickly to get inside the house where it was actually warm.

Today was definitely good and I'm glad we were sorting everything out for the better. If he didn't show a change in his attitude then I don't know how we could live in the same house without me wanting to break his head off. Now all left to do today was relax.

"Shoaib?" I called to out to see where the boy had gone off to.

"Hey." He came into the kitchen and grabbed a spoon from the drawers to scoop some Nutella like I had.

"Thanks for today. I'm glad you're not being uptight anymore, and if I just ruined the moment then feel free to slap me." We both chuckled but he still gave me a light punch anyway.

"I'm not always uptight as everyone thinks I am. I get angry too." I rolled my eyes at him and placed myself on a seat at the dining table and he did the same so he could still eat.

"So you promise you're not gonna wake up tomorrow and be all moody?" I was cautious of his answer but I wanted to know because it bothered me.

He sighed and looked at me. "We made a deal that I wouldn't. If you don't want me being moody then I'll try not to."

"Not that I want to ruin the moment but it's killing me how you listened to me so quickly." I groaned and sat further back in my chair.

He looked down for a second not knowing what to answer. If this was anyone else then they'd be delighted in his sudden change of attitude, not that I wasn't, but it all seemed to surreal for me right now.

"Believe it or not, I actually do listen to people. I may not do as they say straight away but I eventually do. With you - I've been defying you for almost two months so I might as well listen now." He seemed honest enough for me even though he thought I could be nagging.

"But what about your parents? They actually love an idiot like you but you're always disrespecting them." I stated as a matter of fact.

"I know. I guess it's that phase where I think I'm better than everyone else."

"That phase doesn't seem to be ending." I laughed and he groaned, but his lips twitched, trying to hide the smile he wanted to let out.

"Well this is progress. How about we watch a movie?" I asked and he nodded. "Can I choose?" I asked again, but more desperately this time. No doubt picking movies was something I liked doing, although I always had to take into consideration the other person might not like what I pick.

Standing up I stretched from sitting too long and went to the living room to turn the TV on. Netflix was already connected and I smiled smugly flicking through the endless amount of movies being displayed on the screen. Should I choose a romantic movie to annoy him, or action / comedy?

Romance wasn't my favourite genre when watching movies but it would be worth the annoyance on Shoaib's face. Finally I settled on picking 'The Fault In Our Stars', when deciding between that or 'Fast & Furious 7'. It was a close call but unfortunately the first movie it was.

Just as I settled in the sofa while hugging a cushion Shoaib walked in with bowls and plates of food and instantly my mood quirked up and I reached for a tortilla chip and dipped it in some sauce.

"What are we watching?" He too was now on the sofa with me with his legs crossed and a soda in his hands.

"The Fault In Our Stars." I replied smugly and got comfortable.

I didn't miss his scrunched up face as soon as I said the movie name and shoved another chip in my mouth in order to stop the laughter from coming out. Though I hope I don't choke.

"Was there no other films? I didn't take you to be one of those girls who liked chick flicks." He question and grabbed the bowl of chips away from me in punishment for choosing this.

"Hey! Give that back." I grabbed the bowl out of his reach, but not without some strength. This boy was definitely strong and it took a good two minutes before I had it again. "And for your information, I don't like chick flicks. I just took you as one to like it."

After saying that I had to dodge his hands and glares with a cushion as I laughed and he threw profanities at me. Trust me to either insult him or always making jokes at the most inappropriate times when watching a movie.

"You know, I didn't think anyone could be ruder than me, but you just hurt my pride."

He said nothing else after that no matter how many unnecessary comments I made about the film, him or about the food. If he wanted to give me the cold shoulder then I wouldn't be as childish to do the same and even though I was falling right into his trap by carrying on talking, I didn't care.

After two torturous hours of watching someone die of cancer I decided to never again watch such a sad movie. It was depressing, that's for sure and I pitied such a gorgeous boy having to die like that, but it was just a movie, so there was no need to be overly emotional and cry over it.

"Are you talking to me now?" I questioned and flicked his forehead which in return for my fingers being whacked away from him.

"I will if you promise to never make me go through that again." He said with a fake smile.

"I promise. Now come on, it's time for you to pray and recite some Quran to me. A girls patience doesn't last long you know." True to what I had just said, I dragged Shoaib behind me up the stairs and pushed him inside the bathroom so he can do his wudhu.

I was already seated on the floor in the corner of the prayer room when he entered and without a word slipped on his thobe and laid out a prayer mat. Offering me a smile for two seconds, he turned his attention ahead of him and began to pray.

The room was silent but the time seemed to have gone by fast and he was already finished with his prayers. Nothing but a massive grin could be seen on my face and I'm sure I looked like an idiot right now, but I was content.

"Chop, chop mister." I impatiently said to him as he rolled his eyes at me and sat opposite me with a Quran in his hands, page turned at a particular verse.

His voice filled the quiet room with the verses of surah An-Nisa and I mentally praised his choice of verse. The Arabic rolled from his tongue, again fluently and I was in awe. No doubt it was a beautiful language and Shoaib reciting it made me embarrassed by my efforts in learning the language even though I was an Arab myself.

Minutes passed but he never stopped until he had completely finished. He would look up at me occasionally as if to see I was actually there and every time I would give him a smile and motion to carry on.

"That was so beautiful Mash'Allah!" I couldn't help but lean over excitedly and give him a big hug which made the two of us stumble back a bit.

"Thanks. I haven't read in a while so it might've been a little rough." He was too modest right now and I just whacked his arm.

"Rough? You're just as good as any Sheikh reciting. I feel like I should record your voice and listen to it when I want. That would be nice." I finished rambling and pulled him up with me as I couldn't feel my legs anymore.

"You're kinda raising my ego right now, but I don't mind. Carry on." I glared at him which he ended up laughing at.

He didn't stop laughing even when we came inside the room but I ignored him and was about to take my hijab off when my hands abruptly fell back to my sides. Turning around, I saw Shoaib giving me a confused look as to why I had just waved my hand over my head.

"I forgot I still have to leave this on." I explained to him with a sigh.

"Is this like a punishment or something? When I do something good I get treated but when I don't then you do stuff like that..." He trailed off but I could tell I hit a nerve.

Surely he couldn't be that desperate to see my hair.

"Technically yes, but it's for the good. I promise." I had to stand on my toes because of his towering height and placed a kiss on his cheek.

He looked down at me but wasn't smiling. It didn't seem like he was angry anymore but he wasn't happy either. His mood swings were the worst.

"This better be worth it." He scoffed and took a step back to take his shirt off and lay on the bed.

I continued to look at him unsure of what to do now. We had a great day but this wasn't the ending I was expecting but nonetheless I made my way over to him and pushed him aside. Laughter rolled out of my mouth as he didn't see that coming and he moved aside by the force of the push.

"Sorry. Don't think about doing this because of what I'm restricting you from. Think about how good you'll feel about yourself afterwards." I said while laying next to him on the bed.

He stayed silent for a few seconds before he spoke up again. "Do you really think I'll go back to the old me?"

"To be honest I like the way you are now but it's your actions that has to change. Okay?"

Honestly I did like the way he was now. Confident and not a typical stereotype to be based upon - he had his own character but the way he portrayed it made him look like some kind of monster, which he isn't. There was no denying he knew this too.

"Okay, I promised I'll try and I will. Time to sleep now, school tomorrow unfortunately." He said.

I didn't want to put the pillows to separate our sides tonight but for the sake of it I got up and strolled to my side of the bed to arrange the pillows. Shoaib stayed quiet as he watched me do what I was doing. Once happy, I took off the jumper I was wearing and let it drop to the floor; too tired and lazy to put it in its place.

"Oh one more thing. I don't want any guys looking at you tomorrow or I might lose it." The time of his voice was dead serious and his face didn't have a trace of amusement in them.

Jealousy huh?

I had to laugh though. "Trust me, you have nothing to worry about there. But same goes to you, stay away from Maryam. She seems to think you're hers." I had a look of disgust in my face as I said Maryam's name.

Normally I wouldn't but now that me and Shoaib were married, I knew she was going to do something. Especially as she's wanted Shoaib for a really long time.

This time it was his turn to laugh. "I wouldn't want anything to do with her anyway. If it makes you feel better, I only have eyes for you. Might be a poor choice but I have to live with it now."

I gasped and hit him several times with a pillow and completely ignored his pleads to stop until he caught both my wrists to stop me.

"You mister are too rude." I stated and tried getting my wrists out of his grasp, but he wouldn't budge.

"Only for you. I'm serious though, don't ever think I'll go that low to someone like...her." His face resembled the look of disgust that was on my face a few minutes ago.

The confusion was clear. I had my reasons of distaste towards her, but why was Shoaib so negative about Maryam? I don't remember neither of them ever being close, or even talking.

"Wait, why do you hate her?"

"Some things are better left unsaid." Was all he said and finally let go of my wrists while I took a hold of my pillow and put it back in its place.

"That's not fair. We're practically best friends now, so you can tell me." I didn't mean to sound whiny but it usually happened when things didn't go my way.

Resting my chin on his shoulder I looked up to him with a sweet smile hoping that would win him over so he could me his reasons for disliking Maryam. Unfortunately he didn't budge which made me even more curious than I was before.

"Not happening. Just go to sleep. There's gonna be a lot of drama and whispering to deal with tomorrow." He gently moved away from me and laid down comfortably on the bed.

I looked at him for a split second before doing the same. "Alright but don't think I'll forget." I warned and he feigned looking scared.

Rolling my eyes I told him to turn the lights on and soon enough after the bed dipped with his weight, his arm wrapped around my waist.

"I can't guarantee your arm being intact with the rest of your body if you don't move it now." He didn't say a word and as soon as I said what I did, his arm was gone and back to his side.

Suppressing the laugh that wanted to come out, I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to take over.