(This chapter is dedicated to my dearest first nephew, who made me an aunt for the first time. Love you and thanks for bringing us joy and happiness.)

Chapter Thirty Three

"His Pride, his dignity, his status."

أيها الساكنُ عَيني ودمي،
أين في الدنيا مكانٌ لست فيه ؟

Zayed

Friday- 11:23 AM

She is just like another ordinary woman, who has been through much more than her weak shoulders could carry, as a result Mahra became tough on the outside but very fragile from the inside. She isn't as feisty and brave as she was when Zayed first met her, although the pretense of being as such remain unchanged. She struggles to live her life her way but is bound by the obligations of the society. Lately, looking at her eyes, fills him with guilt to the very last drop, so he tries to lessen her burdens by behaving gentleman like with her. Like everybody else Zayed, too, was sympathizing her.

Mahra took note of that, and has been very clear about her dislike towards his new 'nice' behavior. What she called nice, was apparently his normal behavior, with people he didn't hold any grudges against and at days when he'd have his guard down. He could see her trying to make the days bearable and he didn't have any problem contributing to that, just so the boat could sail a little longer than it would otherwise.

But today his actions were influenced by his curiosity and not sympathy. He'd always found it hard to comprehend his father's loving nature towards this particular woman. Upon observing his father's love and care towards Mahra, Zayed wondered what was so different about his wife! So he thought to figure her out. It'll only take him one conversation to do that!

Now that he stood at the top of the hill, with a woman the world calls his, Zayed realized he shouldn't push it much, after all every word and every silence has consequences. As that thought ran through his brain, he felt her retreating just one step, refusing to stand next to him. Had he hurt her pride that much or was that how much she loathed him?

Zayed allowed himself to take a quick glance at her, and found her looking at him. As soon as their eyes met, she looked away as if caught stealing.

Sensitive... Zayed thought she was.

"You interrupted my evil thoughts." Mahra came clean.

Out spoken... He kept marking her with different qualities upon every sentence she said. "Yeah? What were you planning to do?" frowned Zayed, turning to face her.

"You need not know." Mahra shook her head, lips twitching.

Guilty...

"Stab me with an imaginary knife?" He guessed, peering at her, eyes light.

She smiled at that, and looked from the sun to him. "Well, I was looking daggers at you."

Liar... Zayed looked closely at her eyes. "But your eyes tell me otherwise." He contradicted, and watched her scoff loudly.

"Please, you'd be the last man I'll stare at otherwise." She rolled her eyes and turned away.

Assertive, opinionated, stoic, slightly quick-witted and very much deranged... there he solved her like a puzzle. He'd figured her out in no time, but were they likeable qualities, he wondered!

Letting her walk ahead of him, he noticed her slim arms from under her see-through chiffon sleeves, which was maddening. He wanted to comment on that but thought better off it, in hopes of making the 'days bearable'.

Looking up ahead, Zayed spotted Jassim and Rashid standing next to the paddock gate along with Mona, Shoug and Zainab. As they moved closer, Jassim saw them approach and called out. "You came down looking for her?" Jassim exclaimed, addressing his brother.

Zayed noticed Mahra pausing for a while, to let him precede, and he took the lead now. "Yes, I have missed her, most ardently." He replied as they both came to stand next to where everyone else was.

"I hope your wife isn't jealous." Jassim gazed at a clueless Mahra, and winked.

Zayed took a quick glance at her from over his shoulder. "It's just a horse." He said to her, unnecessarily, just to give the others a good impression of their 'perfect' marriage.

"Really? I thought you were talking about me!" Zainab joked, making Zayed turn towards his young cousin, smiling as he did. He hadn't seen her or Shoug – Rashid's sisters – so he took a moment to ask about their well-being. And then left to check on the horses or more specifically, to inquire about his Abhar.

Two people stood awkwardly there, without uttering a word, Mahra and Rashid. The former because she didn't know the man and the latter because he didn't know how to withdraw the awkwardness between them. Rashid cast down his greetings at her, and received a confident reply. They inquired about each other's health and their families' state, then Mahra fell silent, trying to remember his voice.

"I am Rashid, if you still don't remember." He reminded.

Mahra looked closely at his eyes, horizontal wrinkles appeared on her forehead. There was something vaguely familiar about his voice. And then it clicked!

"Rashid... Hamad's friend Rashid?" Mahra guessed right, recalling the old times.

"Yes, the very one." The man nodded, looking back at her with a small smile.

"The Rashid that took my bike and pulled my hair, Rashid?" Mahra articulated, without much consideration, surprise coloring her tone.

Everyone laughed and her addressee snickered. "Guilty as charged." Rashid confessed.

"Ya'l mujrim (You criminal)" Jassim disapproved, taking a playful glance at his cousin, Rashid, while the girls laughed.

They were interrupted when they all heard a clip-clop sound, followed by a loud snort as the hostler brought out one of the horses from the stable. The brown beauty belonged to Jassim, so he pushed open the wooden gate and walked in to welcome her. Jassim invited Zainab who'd claimed she knew how to ride a horse and he'd challenged her she do that. Both Mona and Shoug followed excitedly to see what would be the outcome of this.

Mahra stood there alone with Rashid, her hands crossed across her chest, as she stared at Jassim helping Zainab to mount on the horse.

"No offence." Began Rashid, he'd been looking at her. "But when Zayed told me he'll marry Hamad's sister, I thought he must be crazy." He proclaimed, inclining with his head towards where Zayed had left. Mahra grinned at his carefree way of speaking. It wasn't vicious or mean, it was honest. "Don't get me wrong but where he's silent and calm you were the exact opposite." Mahra stared at him, smiling at his informal words.

"Is that your subtle way of insulting me?" Mahra pretended to be offended, raising an eye brow. Rashid was a normal guy and she knew how to converse with them. But her difficulty was greater than that. This was easy, but Zayed wasn't. She'd never met as troubled a man as him before.

"It would be if you were still the same, but fortunately for my friend, you have changed." Rashid answered, with a friendly smile.

Tucking her bangs behind her ear that peeked from her sheilah, she turned the arrow at him. "You on the other hand, haven't changed at all." Mahra voiced, sarcastically.

Rashid's lips tightened as he hid a grin. "And is that your way of insulting me?"

She smothered a laugh. "You clearly are embarrassed of your past." She put forward, tilting her head a little.

"Aren't you?" Rashid joked once again.

"No I am not." Mahra laughed openly at her old self.

The sound of her laughter hadn't yet faded, and the smile on her face still hadn't completely disappeared, but it soon did when she saw a cruel spirit in the form of her husband walking towards her. The cruel spirit seemed utterly displeased. Perhaps his horse had died – thought Mahra.

Zayed came and stood by his wife, then reminded the men that they were running late for the Friday prayer, so they must leave for the masyed. Without staying to wait for anyone, he grabbed hold of her arm and hurried her away from the spot. As confused as Mahra was from this unexpected gesture, she didn't say a word as long as they could be seen. However, when they walked further away and were out of sight, Mahra stopped to inquire.

"What's going on?" She needed to ask. Mahra knew he had mood swings every other minute, but what had happened to him this time? She felt his grip loosening on her arm and then he let her go.

Her husband gazed at her, firmly and spoke with great caution. "You realize you are a married woman, don't you? You have my name attached to you. You represent me with every move you make." Zayed affirmed, voice tight.

Mahra frowned, deeply. "I don't understand. What did I do?"

Zayed shook his head impatiently, wanting to shout at her but he didn't want to hurt her more than he already had. "People see things, Mahra, and then they talk." he asserted.

Mahra's eyes narrowed. "What is there to talk about?" she questioned, confused.

Both of them were trying to remain calm. Trying not to ruin the fine day that comes once in a long while, but it was getting harder for Zayed with every passing minute.

"Seeing you talk so openly with a man you barely know is not accepted, not until you are under my guardianship." He was referring towards his cousin Rashid, and the conversation he had with Mahra. Zayed knows what kind of a man Rashid was and it bothered him that his wife stood next to him.

"But it was an innocent conversation. Nothing that'll..."

"I know that." He cut her off, mid-sentenced. "You don't have to defend yourself. My problem is not there, my problem is with another man seeing my wife's hair, hearing her laughter and probably seeing her hands through her apparent dress."

Mahra suddenly colored scarlet red with embarrassment and wished that the earth opens up and swallows her. She hadn't noticed that her chiffon sleeves were see-through nor did she realize that he had issues with the way she wore her hijab.

"I don't appreciate it that my wife does something as low as that," disregarding her flushed reaction, Zayed completed. "As if there is no shadow above her, no man controlling her. I know that inside our relationship is empty but you are mine in front of the world, my possession, my dignity, you are the woman that enhances or disgraces my status."

His status! His dignity! In normal situations, such protection and possessiveness might be appreciated by a woman with a loving husband. However, here in the middle of hatred and dismay such issues were uninvited. Mahra understood him now and she despised how selfishness oozed from every letter of her husband's sly words. She was astonished yet again at his strategic planning of embarrassing her first and then manipulating her, thoroughly.

Staring back at him, steadily, and trying not to lose her composure, Mahra began: "I am not a property that you can show off or take under control." She took a deep breath to calm herself because clearly that was what he'd done. "Don't forget that I am here just for your father's sake, not for your status or your glorifying dignity." When she looked up at him, his forehead furrowed and the eyebrows hooded over eyes that blazed with consternation and a humorless half smile then appeared on his thin lips.

In the upcoming seconds, she watched and waited silently for a sinful remark but fortunately there came none, since the discussion-turning-into-an-argument was interrupted by Badr's voice calling Zayed. Throwing one last venomous glare at her, Zayed walked up to where Badr stood, followed by a silent and upset Mahra who entered the farm house without turning to look at them.

"Why do you like to torment her?" Badr asked, giving Zayed a quizzical look, as he'd noticed the cold atmosphere.

"Why do you always defend her?" he answered him with a question of his own.

"Cause I know you too well."

"Then you must also know that I take personal pleasure in torturing people. It satisfies me." He said, gravely and looked away from his uncle.

"Astaghfirullah," Badr shook his head at Zayed's withering behavior. "Let us go pray." He suggested but his nephew stayed where he was. It had disturbed him deeply and irked him to the core to witness Mahra's attitude after his numerous trials of being kind to her.

Zayed exhaled, loudly. "I jumped into fire all by myself!" He pronounced, voice grim. "I tried to listen to your advice but the woman has never been treated nicely, she doesn't know how to receive care and consideration, if given." He declared and his companion listened to understand.

"Are you telling me that you cared for her?" Badr interrogated.

"Pretended to care for her." Zayed corrected.

"And what was the result?"

"Right in front of you." Zayed ushered to where Mahra had just disappeared.

"Her reaction is not the problem, but your behavior is." Badr pointed out and Zayed fought the urge to leave him there and get going.

"Save it Badr, your advice isn't very helpful." He put forward, throwing a glance at him. The corner of Badr' lips twitched into a small smile.

"Well, you said it yourself 'pretended to care'. The world might be fake nowadays but no one appreciates fake feelings." Badr declared, eyes radiant.

Zayed turned to look at his uncle, and allowed himself a tight smile himself. "If she's waiting for real feelings then she's gonna have to wait all her life."

**

Mahra

The men came back from the Friday prayer, following which was the Friday feast, both for men and women separately. I tried to keep myself busy with anything and withdrawn from everyone. Until after lunch when Mona had insisted I try some of her desserts. Seated around the square table, she and I were accompanied by her cousin Shoug. They seemed to be very close friends and I wasn't in a mood to make new friends today, so I remained silent as they talked about various topics, from her sweets to the latest 'abaya trends, all of which were topics I barely cared about.

I was half way through my lemon tart when a very delighted and joyous Kholoud came into the kitchen, holding on to the door knob and leaning into the door, smiling as she did. "Guess what?" She questioned, flipping her bangs away from her eyes.

Shoug stopped talking about how lucky she thought Hamad was to have Mona, and all of us looked up at Kholoud, quizzically. When she received no reply, the young girl went on. "Jenaan is here." Kholoud announced.

As clueless as I was, I naturally didn't have a good feeling about this. Jenaan, I knew that name. I turned to look at Mona and Shoug for a hint but they seemed to be rather surprised by this news. Eyes wide and lips pursed, as if guarding a sacred secret.

Jenaan, Jenaan, was it not the girl from the book?

When Kholoud did not receive a reply for the second time, she marched inside, claiming that the news would enlighten the others.

"Does she mean Jenaan, as in Zayed's Jenaan?" Shoug voiced.

Her last two words pierced at my heart and I winced, placing my tart down, losing my appetite, all of a sudden. From the corner of my eye I noticed Mona eyeing her, and she realized what she'd just done. "Oh, I am so sorry." Shoug said to me, not sounding sincere, not even one bit. "But it's surprising that you don't know."

"Shoug that's it, please." Mona ordered, somewhat abashed.

"C'mon Mona, she should know her threats." protested Shoug, matter-of-factly. "You never know what goes on in a man's mind." She completed, providing the fire inside of me, enough oxygen to grow.

"What do you mean?" I managed to utter, looking innocently at Shoug for more information, although I assume I understood the matter but I wished her explanation would tell me otherwise.

"Before you got married, everybody thought that Jenaan was for Zayed. They were so much alike and perfect for each other that even..."

"That's enough." Mona interrupted, staring at anywhere but me. "What everyone else thought, is not important now!"

"But Mona you too thought the same and so did your brother. In fact that one day when I saw her, Jenaan's eyes screamed that Zayed was the only man she could see in this wide world." She paused, vicious enough to look at me and something fell in my chest, maybe my heart.

"Then suddenly one day he changed his mind." Shoug completed, and Mona glared at her whereas I, I felt the air evaporating from my lungs and my heart shriveled in pain. Slowly that heartache moved to the bones and my left leg trembled, so I shook it on purpose to avoid being noticed. The corner of my eyes burned with infuriation, blinking several times, I tried to hide the effect of their words on my poor self.

Staring down at the foggy floor, I remembered where I was and gathered myself a little. There was no way in hell, I was going to show these girls or anyone else my weaknesses. I could tell, that my breakdown is what Shoug has been waiting to see all this time, but I won't satisfy her by the sight of my tears. Taking a deep breath, and mustering every ounce of my strength, I looked up at her. "That one day he saw me." I asserted and smiled at her where inside I was breaking apart.

She passed me a crooked smile, eyes filled with sarcasm. I could see that she was laughing at me. Shoug eyed me as if she could see through me. Apparently, everyone, except Zayed's father, knew that I wasn't his first choice. All the acting and pretending was for no good. But I had to finish what I started with him. Until destiny do us apart!

Fortunately, for the unfortunate me, someone else walked into the kitchen and I glanced up to see Khawlah. Her eyes brightened as they found me. "Mahra, let's go." She came and grabbed my hand, yanking me towards the door. I tried to resist and pulled her back.

"Where?" I inquired, not in a mood to go out at all.

"Come, I'll show you." She pressed and I couldn't tell her no. Besides anywhere could be better than this place.

"Where are you taking her?" came Mona's voice, as she followed us to the porch.

"Jassim and the boys have taken out the quad bikes for a ride." Khawlah excitedly said.

"Really?" Shoug joined in. "God, I so wanna ride one."

"He said I could ride his bike if I wanted to.'' The young girl declared, smiling ear-to-ear.

"Let's go then." Shoug grabbed Mona's hand and dragged her along as well.

"What am I gonna do there?" I argued, adjusting my sheilah single handedly as Khawlah held my other hand.

"You can sit with me if you want to." Khawlah innocently said, making me smile despite the storm in brain. "Why? Do you wanna drive?" her adorably beautiful eyes looked at me hopefully and I couldn't help but grin.

"No, I am too old for that." I denied, trying to toss that uneasy conversation at the back of my head but that was wishful thinking.

"Oh c'mon." She groaned.

Off course, she would. She didn't have a husband who cared about his 'status'!

The farmhouse was built at the top of a sand dune, and as we got out in the open yard, we heard engines roaring from the grounds around us. Following the noise, we spotted the place where the boys were racing and drifting the quad bikes. Khawlah leapt calling Jassim, trying to grab his attention but Jassim didn't come. He kept showing off his numerous stunts and everyone laughed at his efficiency. The girls grew impatient and went down to personally disarm him from his bike, but Jassim kept teasing them, by stopping and waiting so they would come and when they did, he'd drive away.

After a while of looking at them, I realized I must look funny, staring down at them. So I returned to where I came from, finally alone and enjoying the cold yet comfortable breeze. Although, it soon turned bitter, as the wind brought back Shoug's words to me. I folded my arms across my chest to keep out the disagreeable feelings but they barged in like uninvited thieves. I recalled the third night of our marriage, when I had asked my husband whether if there was someone else in his life and he remained silent. This was the answer to his silence. The way he looked at me when I found that book from Jenaan, explains it all. She is the reason for all my agony. It's because of her Zayed has ruined my life. And she is the person he will elope with once he leaves me!

I clenched my jaw and bit my lip, at the thought of him leaving me and that too for another woman, but then the sensible voice in my head cursed him. To hell with him, he doesn't deserve me. He never has and he never will. I am better off without him!

And as if hallucinated, a picture from my brain turned into reality, right before my eyes. There he was standing before a woman with his back to me. They both stood across from each other at a small distance and conversed, vigorously. My curious eyes fell upon the woman, and examined her tall frame. She stood head to head with him, with legs so long, it seemed unnatural. Her willowy figure adapted to her style in those skinny jeans and a leather jacket. Without her permission, the wind blew her blonde wavy hair further away from her face, revealing those high cheek bones and a strong jawline. As she spoke, she had the grace and smoothness of a serpent. It killed me to see that she was harmfully beautiful!

If this was Jenaan, then I could see why Zayed had fallen for her. As is known, men are nonsensical enough to fall in love through their eyes and not their senses. But women are even more ridiculous, since they fall in love through their ears, just like I had. I had grown fond of this awfully mysterious man because of what I heard about him. Listening to everyone talk so highly of him, had blindfolded me.

I felt an air of melancholy surround me as I watched him now, standing alone with her, so openly. It made me feel so little, like the whole world and its happiness had turned against me. As if hope escaped me, and love crushed me beneath its feet. That lonely feeling that I always talked about, came back again and engulfed me with its dark and miserable blanket. Thinking about him noticing her hair, her form and listening to her voice made me know where and who I was in this world. I was nowhere and I was no one!

Shoug was right, the way she looks at him is as though she can't see anything else around her except for him. I stood in front of her at a great distance but was unnoticed. How would I be? They were so engrossed with their conversation that she couldn't even spare me a glance. And before she would, I decided I had enough pain for one day, so I left them and entered the farmhouse through the back door.

If earlier I ran away from people, now I wanted to save myself from myself. I was walking through a long corridor that had several doors, passing the first two, I entered the third room, without knocking. Fortunately, it was empty and so was I.

Closing my eyes, I leaned against the door and inhaled loudly, but that didn't help. As I opened my eyes again, I spotted a bed and realized how tired and restless my brain and body were. Walking across the bedroom floor and around the bed, I sat down on it, with my back to the door. I wanted to escape, to disappear, everything was so foggy I even wanted to die. If only my soul would free my body from this dismay, but it wouldn't. I had to live through this. I had to.

Something warm burned my cheeks, I lifted my hand and rubbed them off to see they were tears. More silent tears followed without sobs or whimpers and I brushed off these transparent feelings. Why was I crying? This had nothing to do with me. Their love story was something that had started long before me. I remembered that this wasn't the first time I had seen Jenaan, I saw her once before in his office, and I can never forget how excited he had been hearing about her arrival. His eyes, too, shone for her. And then I came in the middle, I had everything to do with them. It was my brother who was fooled, it was me uncle Waleed had chosen and it was my father that had died. I ruined everything!

There was a squeaky sound and the door opened. I quickly removed my tears with the back of my hand, remaining where I was without turning to see who had entered.

"How'd you know this was my room?" said a voice so familiar and yet extremely painful. I would know this voice even if I was lost. It would be my guide back home. This voice shook me, moved my very being and it made me go through hell. It was Zayed's voice. My own inhuman nemesis.

I remained silent, and did not turn to tell him that I hadn't known.

"I was right when I said, that you were everywhere I went. It's intriguing to be honest, you just find your way somehow." He spoke more to himself, seeming to be in a good mood. I heard him close the door and his faint footsteps on the wooden floor, as he moved around in the room, stopping next to the wardrobe where there was a small duffle bag. He sat down and opened it, taking out his necessities, he zipped it once again and stood up.

"Why are you here all by yourself?" He questioned, looking at me, and I stared at my fingers in my laps. Seeing him with his past lover had maddened me, off course, but not for the same reason as one would think. I chose not to show him my displeasure, perhaps he will mistake my annoyance as jealousy "Mahra?" He called and I ignored him. Why wouldn't he go away when I needed him to? "Have you gone mute?" He ridiculed.

And that was it for me. Listening to his voice was torturous enough, I didn't want this shameless man to make fun of me now. I stood to my feet and stormed towards the door, but he was quicker than me. Guessing my next move, he yanked me by the arm and I fought back.

"What has gotten into you?" His grip was tight on my arm and I couldn't break free "You wild woman." He muttered but I heard him and it drove me insane.

"Get away from me you bloody hypocrite." I cried, and at my last word he let me go. As always, he provoked me to utter a word and then let me go to find out the rest of the problem. He was curious to know why I had accused him of hypocrisy. Well, if he wanted to know, then speak I will.

"You dare enough to lecture me about dignity and respect! Those words are bigger than you ever can be." I hissed, glaring at him with all the fire I had.

He watched me interrogatively, and tilted his head from one side to another as he exhaled in exhaustion, probably understanding what I meant. "Shut up, Mahra." He demanded, but it was too late. He had to listen now.

"No. You wanted to know what was wrong with me, well, your lack of conscience and lack of morality is what's wrong with me." I breathed and saw fury taking over him. "The rules that you were implementing on me earlier, you don't implement on yourself. You forbid me to talk to or laugh with any other man while you vigorously do the same in front of everyone, and not just with any other woman..."

The malicious look in his brown eyes kept me from completing that last sentence, but I didn't let his bravado intimidate me.

"Just like I can ruin your so called reputation you do the same too. Have you ever thought about my status, my dignity?"

I stared at him, impatiently, waiting for him to budge so that I would pounce on him with a million other logics I had, but he didn't. He stood there, unaffected, as if my words hadn't even moved a single feeling inside him.

"Are you done?" He beseeched, blackly.

The strength in his voice took me off guard, and I couldn't reply, so he took that as a yes.

"Good, now get out." He looked at the door, showing me my way out. Such guts and audacity, I wanted to kill him, stab him with that imaginary knife he spoke of earlier.

"No. I won't." stubborn, I disagreed. "What will you do?" I took a step forward, for the first time not scared of him at all even though he appeared to be infuriated. Risking it, I knew if I pushed it one more time, it'll be the death of me.

"Are you gonna hit me? Go on." I challenged, standing face-to-face with him, unafraid of the consequences.

Eyes burning in flames, he fixed me in a head-on gaze, then roughly grabbed my head by my jaw, making me wince. This was where I began to worry. Was he really going to hit me? As my insides moved with anxiety and fear, I quickly changed my mind and surrendered. Incapable to glare back at him, my eyes found the floor and blood rushed to my face, announcing my defeat and embarrassment. It was then that I realized that he was unacceptably close, I could hear him breathe. So instead of trying to break free, I froze, heart in my throat.

Before another thought could cross my mind, he let me go—softer this time— and I heard him snicker as if amused. "I'll admit that you are foolishly brave." He complimented, and I caught a glimpse of a wicked smile lingering on his lips, but soon he turned his back to me. Collecting his stuff, he entered the bathroom, leaving an awed-me behind.

Seriously? This man was beyond my understanding. Utter and absolute insanity!

I left the room, working on my heart's quick beats and rubbing my cheeks because that jerk's grip had been tight. I choked in revulsion, since I felt his scent still lingering around me. I hated the effect he had on me. The only man in the world who could do that to me, no matter how much I claimed I loathed him and I did despise him, a lot.

Trying to forget him and the problems that came along with him, I went to the living room, to spend the rest of my day with Zayed's grandmother. It was way easier with elderly people, there was no wickedness, no jealousy, just innocent conversations that if not benefit you, would never harm you.

Sitting there at the far end of the room was the grandmother and uncle Waleed's only sister, Fozia. I went up and sat with them, picking up the baby girl that was named after me, little Mahra. I stared at her, as she slept innocently in my laps.

After a moment's examination, the older lady picked up my mood.

"Is something wrong Ya ibnayati." The grandmother noticed, looking lovingly at me. I shook my head, trying to smile.

"No, yaddo." I disagreed. "I am fine."

"Your eyes look a little red." Pointed out aunt Fozia.

I shook my head in denial. "Everything's fine. I haven't slept well, maybe that's why." I declared and she let it go.

But grandma looked from me to the young Mahra. "May Allah bring about all that is fine, ya binti!" She prayed, her observance amazing me.

**

Zayed

She was really something to watch when she was angry. Eyes wild and challenging, like an untamed animal ready to attack. Zayed never understood where she brought the guts from, he'd known Hamad all his life and he was a very subtle and considerate man, unlike his sister. He held her by the jaw and looked into her raging eyes, preparing the words he would scream at her so that she would never repeat what she'd just done.

Acting without thinking things through, she crossed her limits today. Zayed understood that she behaved in such an unreasonable manner at the beginning of their marriage but now she knew everything and she saw how he was trying hard to make the days bearable. Yet she calls him names and questions his morals. At first he was going easy on her but then she touched the wrong nerves, therefore he aimed to scare her.

Hitting her was out of the question, he wasn't that man. Yet as her punishment, he clenched her jaw line tighter and she winced, looking away. Zayed knew that the message was delivered and his poisonous words were ready but as he looked at her helpless form, Hamad's picture flashed before his eyes. Hamad had trusted him with his sister and he felt as if he'd betrayed him by hurting Mahra.

She stood before him, her eyes on the floor, her cheeks pink and lips quivering. In a matter of seconds he'd made her lose all her courage and bluntness. He let her go, the man in him was satisfied, and joked about her bravery but the human in him was guilty, unable to look her in the eye.

As he came out of the bathroom, he'd put on a pull-over long sleeved grey shirt and a pair of casual jeans, which was what he came for, in the first place. But seeing her crying like that, he inquired about her distress. However, upon asking he figured out that her problem was with Jenaan. Clearly she'd seen him with her and there must be a reason behind such anger and exasperation. Zayed knew that Mahra wouldn't have reacted in such a way towards Jenaan, if only she wasn't fed with some gossip. She must've heard something.

He sighed, this wasn't a problem he wanted to deal with right now. Only he knew how hard it was for him to face Jenaan after all that happened. It was astonishing to see her here, like this. He spoke to her as formally as one would with a colleague, asking about her health and well-being. But she didn't, Jenaan tried to turn the conversation towards his happiness with his marriage, twice. However, Zayed skilfully dodged the questions and gave her a taste of the show he puts on in front of everyone. He could see that seeing him 'blissfully' married hurt her, and he enjoyed the agony he was giving her. Her departure at his wedding day had turned everyone's doubts about them into certainty, and Mahra had heard about them, somehow. So he chose to punish her in his own way for risking to damage his name, even a little. And as was their last meeting a disaster, he made sure that today's was too.

As he got out of his room, he found Mona, chatting on her phone with someone predictable. She stood there in the corridor, leaning side-ways on the wall, with her back to Zayed. She seemed too preoccupied since she didn't hear the door, so he called her name to announce his presence.

Mona jerked in her place, turned around to look at him, disapprovingly. "God, you scared me." She exhaled, holding her phone close to her heart.

"I wanted to ask you something." Zayed began, tone dead.

Seeing his serious expressions, Mona grew anxious. "What is it?" She frowned.

"Have you said something to Mahra that might upset her?" He asked, looking closely at her face and witnessing her get uneasy. He knew it was her and before she could say anything in her defense, he completed. "Look, I get that you have issues with her, but from now on you leave her alone. She's already going through too much. Is that clear?" He ordered.

"It wasn't me. I didn't say anything." Mona justified, half guilty.

"Then who did?" Zayed questioned, staring intently at her and Mona couldn't lie to him.

"It was Shoug." She replied, glumly.

Zayed sighed, shaking his head. His mother's choice for him.

"What did she say to her?" He knew what Shoug would've said to Mahra and why.

Mona stole her eyes from him. "She brought up Jenaan." She stated, and Zayed understood.

Standing there, with his hands hanging on both sides, Zayed hated the fact that someday, upon her asking, he'll have to explain this to Mahra.

"Okay." He closed the subject and without further questions he left her there.

Zayed headed to the kitchen to see his mother, but on his way he found his grandmother sitting in the living room, accompanied by his wife and aunt. He made towards them and cast down a greeting. They replied in unison and the grandmother smiled at Zayed, stretching one hand and inviting him. Zayed went down and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"How are you, yaddo?" He inquired. "In sha Allah well."

"Your grandmother is well, but she's upset with you." She complained, as he sat down on the other side of her.

"Afa, what have I done?" smiled Zayed at her, and in doing so his eyes met Mahra's who sat on the other side of her, trying to keep her eyes safely away from him.

"Ask yourself." She replied, and Zayed reached forward to grab her hand and kissed it. He then turned to face his aunt.

"How are you, ya umm Ahmed?" he asked, addressing her as the mother of her oldest son, Ahmed.

Fozia looked warmly at her nephew. "I am fine habibi. How've you been? How's work?"

"Alhamdulillah, everything's fine. How are the children?" he then turned to look at her daughter sleeping in Mahra's arms. "You've given away your only daughter to my wife?"

Fozia laughed, as her phone started ringing. She held it up and looked at the screen. "Her father will kill me. He loves her more than anything." She replied before excusing herself and leaving the room.

Zayed turned to look at his grandmother again. "Yes, now you can tell me. What have I done to upset you?" He watched as she placed her free hand on Mahra's shoulder.

"Why have you distressed the girl?" she interrogated, looking intently at her grandson.

Zayed's eyes averted from her to Mahra's who looked surprised. "Did she come and complain to you?" He addressed his grandmother and managed a smile.

"No, she didn't. But at our age, it only takes us one glance to know." The grandmother objected. "Why has she cried?"

The man rubbed his forehead, wearing a crooked smile. Now how does one deal with this? Making it look normal would be the best thing to do.

"I was a little upset at her this morning, because I am an envious man when it comes to my wife." He articulated, playing it well. "I think she's mad because of that." The grandmother gave Mahra a questionable look and she chose to remain silent knowing Zayed and his smart games.

There was a slight moment and upon hearing their voices the young baby had woken up. She blinked a couple of times and looked at Mahra unfamiliarly.

"Why were you upset at her? You could've just talked it through." Grand ma suggested.

"I did, but apparently she didn't like it." Zayed put forward, playing with the baby's small feet that peeked from her blanket. "On the contrary she began lecturing me."

Here Mahra looked up, eyes wide and mouth half open. She jumped in to defend herself, which was what Zayed needed her to do, to make it look like a normal husband and wife conversation.

"Liar, I didn't even..." She began and Zayed cut her off mid-sentenced.

"You see, I am a grown man with all the respect in the world and she calls me a liar." He said to the older woman. "Do you accept that?" He played, cunningly. The grandmother looked from one to the other, not knowing what to say.

"Yaddo, no matter how much one tries, they can never satisfy your grandson." Mahra proclaimed, looking at the grandmother.

"I know my child, he's always been hard to please, but just be a little patient with him." Grandmother advised, remembering belatedly. "Before I forget, she said you make fun of her tea. Is that true, Zayed?"

"What? I could never be that rude." Lied Zayed, with a coy smirk on his face.

"As if she doesn't know you." Mahra came back, glaring at her husband.

"Yes, I have watched you grow right before my eyes." Grandmother placed her left hand on Zayed's knee and patted there twice. "You might be the smartest of my grandchildren but I have lived too long to not understand you."

Zayed stared at her and smiled, "Allah yatawelli b'omrich. (May Allah lengthen your age.) But you still don't understand me." He made fun, and the old woman grunted.

"Mahra, find me my walking stick." She looked around searching for it, making Mahra laugh whereas Zayed suppressed a grin.

They heard footsteps and two figures entered the living room, Deema followed by her sister Jenaan. He took a glance at them, and composed himself then turned again to the young Mahra, in his wife's arms.

"What do you want with other people's kids? Have a baby of your own, let me see your children before I die." Zayed's grandmother suggested. Smiling at her words, he cleared his throat, straightened up and stood to his feet.

"In sha Allah." He said, and walked up to where Mahra sat, holding the baby. He noticed her scarlet face and embarrassment at his grandmother's words or maybe it was the reaction of seeing Jenaan and him in the same room. Keeping his calm, he bent down and placed a kiss on the baby's forehead, taking Mahra off guard and feeling her discomfort in such a short moment.

When he made to leave, he saw Jenaan coming to greet his grandmother. He looked at Deema and gave a short nod, then heard Mahra greet Jenaan. Without another word he walked away.

**

Friday- 5:03 PM

The day was coming to an end, daylight fading and darkness taking its place. Everybody had decided to leave, packed their stuff and were getting in their cars except for Zayed. And the reason behind that was Mahra. He looked around for her, but she was nowhere to be found. There was this one place where he thought he might find her. Tired and annoyed, without telling anyone, he went to search for her.

Knowing the place too well, he took a shortcut and came down to the tree tunnel that led to the swimming pool area. Climbing up the few stairs, he got to his destination and found her right where he thought he would, next to the swimming pool, under the patio, shaded by the weeping fig.

She was busy reading the information written on the can of her soft drink and didn't detect him coming. As he got closer, his feet made a splashing sound on the wet ground which was what caught her attention and she looked up, gasping loudly.

"You startled me." She pronounced, hand placed on her heart.

"What are you doing here alone?" He asked for the second time today.

"What does it look like I am doing?" Mahra gave him a smug look.

"Witchcraft?" Zayed guessed, sarcastically.

"Yes, I was working on a spell." She went along. "How to get rid of my husband in three days!"

She heard him chuckle and he stopped at a distance from her. "Isn't there a faster spell?" He put forward, surveying her, closely.

"Not that I know of, but there are faster ways?"

"Like stabbing him or poisoning him?" Zayed recommended, watching as a strand of her hair teased her face.

"No, more like annoying him to death." Mahra asserted, tucking her hair behind her ear.

There was a small pause.

"Don't you think you've already done that?" Zayed pointed out. She looked up and their eyes met. So many feelings unsaid but said at the same time.

"Let's go, everyone's leaving." He informed, gesturing towards where he came from.

She shook her head. "No. I don't wanna go. Can't we just stay here?" She questioned, eyes hopeful.

Zayed tucked his hands in his pockets. "No, we can't. Particularly not this place." He replied.

"Why?"

"Because... this place is known to not be safe at night. I am sure you've heard about the myth of the weeping fig." He explained in exaggeration.

"There is no myth. You're making that up." She observed, not ready to believe him.

"Suit yourself. I hope you have a good night with..." He looked up at the tree, indicating that there were other types of creatures living in this tree. Zayed turned his back to her and began to walk away.

Mahra stood up in her seat. "You're lying." she disagreed.

"I designed this place I know what exists in here." He made known, walking further away.

After a moment of thought. "But I don't think very highly of you." She remembered him saying, that she thought very highly of the person who had designed this place.

"I think I can live with that." Zayed yelled from over his shoulder. And Mahra was sure she heard him snicker.

Without wasting another minute, she decided to follow, thinking to herself that there was a drastic change in his behavior throughout the whole day and for some odd reason that was relieving.

**

Hello everyone, okay umm we know apologizing for being three months late will not cut it, but we'll still say we are extremely sorry, first of all for not being able to write and post this story, which is very close to our hearts, and second for not being able to reply to all those people who commented begging us to post. We got the messages but were never free enough to write a reply. Like we said in the last chapter, the reason for the late posts is because we're busy, things will remain the way they are for this whole year. We're trying all that we can do. 

And thanks to all those who wished me a Happy birthday, I was having exams and couldn't thank you then. We'd also, once again, like to thank our awesome readers for being so patient.

Any way, hope you all liked this chapter. If you did, vote and comment to let us know.

~Lots of Love

~Witty & Witch