Chapter Twenty one

                                             “Confessions”

                                     الشعرُ في هذا الزمانِ فَضِيحةٌ ، والحُبُّ في هذا الزمانِ شَهيدُ

Hamad

Two days before the wedding

As the raises of the shining sun embraced the city of Dubai, in the house of late Ali, Hamad sat joined by his mother at the table, having breakfast. She poured him a glass of orange juice, he drank, smiling as he did so and watched her make him a sandwich.

“Why am I being taken care of? It’s Mahra’s wedding, not mine.” He began as she handed him the sandwich.

“I know that, but you are my only son.” She replied, placing the bowl of olives near him. 

“Only son or you want someone to take care of all the work on your daughter’s wedding?” He teased and nudged her a little. “Huh ya umm Hamad, go on admit it.” Umm Hamad was grinning widely because her son was partly right.

“Allah yesamhak, now a mother taking care of her son would mean that?” She answered in a light tone which was mixed up with some fake ire. Hamad smiled chewing his food and then took a sip of his juice.

“Yeah,” He swallowed remembering something. “Did Mahra buy herself everything or is something still remaining?”

“No, she bought all that she thought she would need and more.” Umm Hamad said, pouring tea in a cup for herself.

“Mother, make sure there’s no reduction in her stuff. Buy her all that she wants or has ever wished for.” Hamad spoke. “She’s my youngest sister and has no one aside from me; there must be no room for shortage.” He finished.

“There will not be In Sha Allah, I won’t let that happen. She is my daughter as well, your father’s last souvenir.” Umm Hamad paused for a while, staring at the table. “I wanted to buy most of her belongings myself and I did, that’s why there’s still a large amount of money remaining from her Mahr (Dowry) you should put it in her bank account for later use.”

Hamad nodded remembering the day of his sister’s Milcha at the court. After both Zayed and Mahra had signed the marriage contract, Zayed and his father had given him a check, saying it was Mahra’s Dowry. When Mahra was asked to specify the amount of money she wanted, she said she didn’t want anything as her dowry but Waleed insisted she does. It was her right, the right Islam has given her.

He was lost in his thoughts when he heard Reem and her husband Khalid coming down the stairs. Khalid had been staying in there house to help out Hamad with the wedding; as a brother-in-law it was Khalid’s duty. They came down and wished the mother and son a good morning. Young Asma was right behind them, she ran up to her uncle Hamad who picked her up and placed her on his laps.

When Khalid sat down next to Hamad, he noticed his brother-in-law looked slightly worn out. “Khair Insha Allah, Are you all right Khalid? You look a bit tired.” He observed.

“What should I tell you man? Yesterday Hareb didn’t let us sleep a minute.” He complained, Hamad felt Reem and his mother looking at them.

“Why? Is he fine?” Umm Hamad asked her daughter, concerned.

“I think he’s teething.” Reem said, taking a chair opposite her husband. “Killed me with his crying last night.” She complained.

“You should’ve brought him to me, or sent Khalid to sleep in the guestroom with your uncle. He could’ve gotten a little sleep that way.” Umm Hamad pointed out, giving her daughter a look of disapproval.

“It was late at night, Khalid didn’t want to disturb uncle Saif.” Reem noted. “I did leave Asma with Mahra though.” They all turned to Asma who looked very fresh and active, playing with Hamad’s phone that she’d taken from the table. Hamad kissed her on the cheek and in doing so his eyes fell upon his phone that was now buzzing in Asma’s tiny hands. He saw the number and his heart leapt out of his chest. It was Mona.

Quickly, he placed Asma on the chair and excused himself from the dining room. He made his way to the lawn outside, happiness and excitement surged through his veins. As he got closer to the door he answered her call, smiling ear-to-ear. Hamad hadn’t talked to Mona from the past couple of weeks, because of the wedding and he hadn’t seen her since Sara’s wedding. He missed her...a lot.

“Good morning to those who don’t care about us anymore!” He spoke first and heard Mona giggle on the other end.

“Haraam Alaik, now I don’t care about you when I am the one who called.” She replied, a smile in her voice.

“You could’ve called a little earlier and end my agony a few days ago.” Hamad’s voice was thick. He stepped into their garden and took a seat there. He and Mona had agreed that he wouldn’t call since she can be with her family or in class. So whenever Mona was free she’d call him or send a message.

“Are you saying you missed me?” Mona teased.

“No, all I am saying is that I am unfortunate enough to sit here and long for you when the world is lucky enough to see you.” She giggled again and with every breath Hamad’s heart picked up.

“Wow that proves it. Did you miss me enough to write poems about me?” She asked, her tone light.

“No, I missed you enough to dream about you and that is worse.” Hamad said knowing that his words would embarrass her. And it really did affect her; she was silent for a while.

“Anyway how have you been?” Mona’s failed attempt to change the topic!

“Not good without you. In your absence I get closer to you than I am to me…so I am not me which isn’t good.”  He answered, looking around in the garden. He heard Mona sigh in defeat.

“What’s gotten in to you today?” She questioned.

“You.”

“Hamaaaad, stop it.” She pleaded smiling, unable to handle Hamad’s romantic mood anymore. Hamad couldn’t help it now too, he laughed along with her.

“So are you gonna be there when we come today?” Mona stalled.

“I’ll be here if you want me too, although tonight’s ceremony is mostly for women.” Hamad pointed out. Referring to the ceremony of Lailat-al-Henna, where all women gather around in the bride’s house and celebrate the function of applying henna on her hands.

“Yeah,” Mona’s reply was filled with disappointment.

“But if you want I can come and see you at your place.” Hamad suggested and his words made her laugh.

“Try that and Zayed will kill you.” She said between laughs.

“Not to worry, I have an intermediary who can help.” Hamad indicated.

“Who?”

“His wife, my sister. Mahra is between us both.” He stated. Mona sniggered slowly, and didn’t comment. “I don’t think it’s fair, that your brother can marry my sister when they just met and we two can’t when we’ve known each other for years.”  

They sat there talking for what it seemed like half an hour and then the door-bell rang, disturbing them. Hamad grimaced and apologized from Mona saying that he needed to go. Once they finished their goodbye’s, the bell rang again. Hamad sat up to open it and saw a huge truck parked in front of them. The wedding lighting service had just arrived. Hamad recognized the man he spoke to yesterday and asked him to cover the building with white lights. He wanted them to make a summit at the top of the building.

Soon the labors broke into action and the front yard was busy with energy. As he kept an eye on their work and was ordering around, Khalid and Mahra’s uncle Saif came out at the voices. Hamad sighed in relief because he had to go out for some work, and Khalid could replace him.

“The weather is nice.” Saif commented, stepping down the stairs and walking near him.

“Yeah, we should go for a trip to the desert.” Khalid replied, looking up at the migrating clouds.

“It’ll be sunny after a while,” Hamad guessed and faced Saif. “Khali (uncle) you didn’t have breakfast.” It was more of a statement than a question. Uncle Saif headed for the table in the garden, Hamad and Khalid followed.

“We’ll have it here, Khalid and I.” He said, taking a seat.

“I have already had mine.” Khalid smiled, sitting beside him.

“Do you want to have it here? You and Khalid can watch over the work since I have to leave for the wedding caterers.” Hamad put forward, calling Fahad from his phone.

“Yeah, that’ll be fine.”

Hamad nodded and looked around for the maid. When it came to uncle Saif, Hamad personally made sure he was being taken care of, since he was close to Mahra and meant a lot to her.

“Delisia,” He called the maid who was nowhere to be found. So he walked back inside the house and saw her following the orders of his mother while cleaning the living room. “Delisia take breakfast for Baba Saif outside.” He ordered their Filipino maid.

“Why won’t he come in?” Umm Hamad interfered looking curiously at her son.

“They liked the weather. Yalla Delisia, hurry up.” Hamad hurried not liking her lazy steps. Frowning, he faced his mother again. “Tell the girls not to get out, there are men outside.” He commanded, calling Fahad again since he didn’t pick up the last time.

“Ok, but where are you going?” She hedged.

“The caterers are late to set the buffet; I’ll go with Fahad and check on them myself.” Hamad responded, trying Fahad’s number another time and this time he luckily picked up.

“Where are you, man? I have been trying your number.” He complained, grimacing.

“I have my mother and the girls with me, they are the reason I am late.” Fahad retorted. Hamad asked him to cut to the chase. “I am waiting for you outside, come out.” At this Hamad turned to peck a kiss on his mother’s forehead and left the room.

As he reached the front yard, he saw his aunt Amna, her daughters Latifa and Alia and her young son Saleh, walking into the house. After welcoming and greeting them, he headed to Fahad’s car to the caterers.

~*♥*

After finishing his work in two hours, he returned home with Fahad. They both walked in together, the lighting was done the house looked good, satisfied, they both headed to the maylis where Khalid and uncle Saif were. Hamad sat with him a little, while going through the arrangements and then left them alone to go see Mahra.

He knocked three times at the main entrance door, trying to avoid any embarrassment that could occur with the women. A few seconds of wait and then the door opened and surprisingly Abdullah stood on the other side. Hamad frowned.

“What are you doing here? You should be in the maylis with the men.” Hamad chastised.

“Wa Alaikum assalaam wa Rahma...I am fine Hamad, how are you?” Abdullah replied, opening the door wider so that Hamad could enter. “Etfadhal elbait baitak (Come in, the house is yours.)” He ridiculed with a wicked smile.

Both of them walked in the living room and looked around to find Ayesha and Alia trying to connect the huge speakers with the TV. Alia had bent down and was checking the wires and Ayesha had the remote.

“Marhaba.” Hamad greeted and watched the girls quickly sit up.

“Ahlain Hamad, how are you?” Ayesha replied, adjusting her scarf.

“Alhamdulillah, how have you been?” Hamad replied, without waiting for her reply he continued, facing Alia. “Haa Alia what are you doing?”

“Just getting things ready for tonight’s function, trying to connect these wires,” Alia replied. “Though I don’t know anything but I am trying. We told your cousin here,” She ushered to Abdullah, a wire still in her hands. “But he refused to help.” She complained, glaring at Abdullah, who humphed. Hamad turned quizzically to him and he shook his head.

 “I am not helping her.” Abdullah retorted.

“Why?” Hamad’s question was ignored.

“Oh please I don’t need your help.” Alia spat, turning back to her technical world.

“Try not to burn the house.” Abdullah mocked, with an evil grin, which scored him two excruciating glares from both the girls.

“Fahad is good at this stuff, call him Alaya.” Hamad said to his cousin and then grabbed Abdullah by the nape of his neck, which made him turn to face him. “If you won’t help them then why are you here?”

“I am here to see Mahra, haven’t seen her in days.” Abdullah admitted, “I asked your mother and Reem but they refused.” and at that Hamad let him go.

“Well then, I am going to her now. If you wanna come, you can.” Hamad said, heading to the stairs. Abdullah followed him, giving the girls a victorious look.

“But he can’t. She’s a bride, you can’t see the bride.” Ayesha interfered.

“Says who?” Abdullah challenged.

“It’s a tradition.” Alia baffled.

“I don’t follow traditions. I set them.” Abdullah said to her, coolly, as he reached the stairs. “Good luck with the wires ya umm lisaan (Mother of a loud mouth).” He teased, glancing at Hamad who had ascended all the stairs.

“Don’t call me that.” She yelled, stomping her feet on the ground, “If I tell my brother, he’ll kill you.” She threatened, making Abdullah chuckle.

“I’d like to see you do that.” He said to her and then turned to jump up the stairs, taking three steps at a time he ascended the stairs. As he reached to Mahra’s room where he saw Hamad knock at the door twice. Standing at a good distance, he smiled.

“What if she throws us out?” He questioned. Hamad shook his head at him and the door opened. Saleh, Fahad’s seven years old brother opened the door and ran out of the room. Both of them watched the kid disappear and then Hamad grabbed the door to take a peek inside.

“Mahra, Abdullah is with me.” He informed. His eyes fell upon her sitting near the window, staring down. She instantly stood up, smiling as if seeing Hamad had brightened her mood. Now that her face was away from the sun, Hamad saw how different she looked. Her face glowed today, her hair that were dyed shone like glittering gold, and her honey brown eyes shone with hope and happiness.

This was a sight Hamad always wished to see.

Mahra quickly grabbed a sheilah and let it hang from her neck. She saw Abdullah as her younger brother and didn’t do complete hijab from him.

“Yeah, let him in.” She invited, picking up some boxes from the bed and making room for them to sit.

When Abdullah came into the room; “Why does he get to see you and I don’t?” Abdullah said, pointing to the door where the little kid had just left from.

Mahra brushed his question off with a smile and; “How are you Abood?” she asked.

“I am good, but can be in trouble, just had a fight with your cousin.” He winked at her and sat at the chair near the window where Mahra had been sitting.

“Which one of them?” She asked, sitting next to Hamad on her bed.

“That umm lisaan. (Mother of a loud mouth)” His words made Mahra laugh. Her brother sitting next to her; didn’t say a word. Hamad was staring at her and observing her laughter which made him smile.

“It’s a good thing you came. I was hoping to see you.” She said, pursing her lips.

“All thanks to your brother here.” Abdullah ushered to Hamad. Mahra turned to him, eyes filled with gratitude and her brother smiled at her lovingly. “But looks like you have been waiting for me?” Abdullah continued.

“Yeah,” Mahra nodded. “I found a solution for your car’s problem.”

Here Hamad knit his eyebrows. “What kind of a problem?” He asked and after a few seconds of thought, his frown deepened. “That reminds me, where’s your car? I didn’t see it in the parking lot.” He asked, concerned.

Abdullah and Mahra stared at each other sharing a knowing smile.

“The police impounded my car a couple of weeks ago.” He said, smiling guiltily. “Got caught at a roundabout drifting with some friends.” He confessed.

“What have you been driving then?”

“My friend’s car. Told my dad we exchanged cars where in reality I am driving his from the past weeks.” He chuckled at his own situation and Hamad shook his head at him.

“I should be punishing you.” Mahra joined in, “But you are too precious a cousin, so I am solving this little problem of yours.” She stood up and headed to her dressing table looking for something. She opened the first drawer and found something. Turning to face Abdullah she held her car keys in the air.

“Here you go.” She stepped closer to him and handed him her car keys. “My baby is now yours.” She said, liking the shocked face on Abdullah’s face.

“What?” he asked in disbelief.

“Yeah, it’s a clean car and you are very lucky I am giving it to you because that car means a lot to me.” Mahra said, taking her seat back near Hamad, who seemed surprised himself.

“It’s your wedding. He should be gifting you something.” He said to his sister and Mahra shook her head.

“Abood deserves all the best he can get.”

“Are you serious Mahra or are you playing me?” Abdullah stood up.

“Yeah, I swear it’s all yours.” She assured between laughs. “Besides I wasn’t going to take her with me and I love her a lot to just let her rust in the garage; so I want you to have it and take care of it.”

“Ya Salaam, I sure will and thank you. Now I understand why I have always liked you so much.” He jeered.

“I’ll tell the maid to bring out all my stuff from there and it’s yours from now on.”

“Thanks.” Abdullah said again, playing with the keys.

“Go get it.” She told him and Abdullah didn’t need telling twice, he immediately left the room. “Make sure you don’t get it in police impound.” Mahra cried from behind him, giggling as she did.

Hamad gave her a questioning look.

“What? I’ll buy myself another one.” She said, grinning.

“Well then, did you have breakfast?” Hamad asked, placing his hands on his laps.

“Yes, but I can have a cup of tea with you again.” She said making her brother smile.

~*♥*

The Wedding day

Zayed

In the dark, cold and silent room where Zayed was fast asleep, came in some loud and disturbing noises from outside the door which woke him up. He recognized Mona and Jassim arguing about something in the hall upstairs and frowned because he hadn’t slept much throughout the night. Zayed opened his eyes and closed them again. As he did so, he thought about what day it was and what tasks he had to carry out. It took him a few seconds before remembering the importance of this day. He was to be married today! Tie his knots with a woman he hardly fancied.

Not wanting to begin with what he thought would be a long tiring day, he kept his eyes shut hoping somehow he’d fall asleep and realize all of this was a dream. And that he would be in the streets of New York with Jenaan again, but it was wishful thinking.

After a while of lying there, an unfamiliar and uneasy feeling clutched to his heart. He flipped with a sigh to lay on his back, watching the ceiling.

Zayed AlWaleed

&

Mahra Ali

He repeated both the names in his mind and the silent echoes reached his brain and his heart, disturbing some cells in his mind and causing destruction in his heart. He had seen his name and hers written on his wedding invitation cards that were sent to all their acquaintances and relatives. They might still be there, placed on a table or hidden in a drawer. Some part of him wished he could undo this but he couldn’t because now everybody knew that he, Zayed, had married a girl named Mahra.

He recalled her nervousness when he saw her at the court while signing the marriage contract. She had seemed anxious and probably afraid of starting a new life with him. ‘Of course she would be!’ He thought. Even in the short period of their Milcha, he had remained quiet, didn’t show any care or interest from his side. Any girl with some brains would figure that out.­­­

Trying to place that thought away, he got up to change and get ready to have breakfast downstairs. He grabbed a towel from the wardrobe and was about to head to the bathroom when he heard an impatient driver outside blaring their car’s horn. Curious and annoyed, he walked up to the window and drew back the curtain to see whose boorish behavior could this be? Looking down at the entrance gate, he saw Badr in his car, arguing with someone who had parked in front of the main gate, getting in Badr’s way. Zayed watched his uncle pause when he saw their grandmother along with some other women step out of the car and get in the house.

Zayed turned from them and went to take a bath which took him fifteen minutes. As he got out, he was drying his short wet hair with a towel which he then threw at the nearby chair and selected a ghatra (Headdress) from the wardrobe to wear with his white kandorah.

Once dressed, he glanced at the clock on the wall in front of him; it was nine in the morning. He made his way to his bed-side table and picked up his phone. Running his thumb smoothly at the screen, he unlocked it and unexpectedly saw four missed calls from Jenaan. Zayed furrowed his eyebrows at the timing and the urgency of the matter, since she had sent a message too, which said;

“Can I see you today?  Please?”

Zayed’s thoughts went to several directions at once. He sat there staring at her brief words which led to many assumptions. He was still looking when the phone vibrated again in his long fingers. He thought it’d be her but it turned out to be Hamad. The phone rang thrice and he used the time to collect himself, with the fourth ring he answered.

“Hello,” despite him trying, his tone was still dry.

“Hello, AaSalaam Alaikum.” Hamad’s charming voice said.

“Wa Aliakum assalaam Hamad, how are you?” Zayed replied, finally managing a welcoming manner.

“I am good. It’s you I should be asking about. How have you been? Did you sleep well last night?” Hamad joked, lovingly. Zayed pretended to laugh at it. If he would be honest, he wasn’t feeling well and he had trouble falling asleep last night.

“I am fine, Alhamdulillah. Though my bed didn’t seem as comforting as it normally did but I slept well.” He played along and heard Hamad chuckle.

“Hope you dreamt about me then?” Hamad teased.

“No, you’re not that lucky.” Zayed answered as he opened the door and left his room.

“Oh,” Hamad paused in comprehension and his friend smirked. “Heaven be with the lucky ones.” He meant his sister Mahra, and Zayed understood which made the smile on his face disappear. “Anyway what are you doing?”

“I am planning to head for the hair-dresser in an hour. Why do you ask?”

“Are you at home?” asked Hamad.

“Yeah,” Zayed replied, descending the stairs. He heard Laylah screaming at someone from down the stairs.

“Great. Meet me in front of the gate in fifteen minutes,” Hamad offered making his friend frown.

“Why? Is something wrong?” Zayed asked, puzzled.

“No everything’s fine. I wanted to show you something.” He said. Zayed nodded noncommittally. “See you in fifteen minutes.” Hamad added. Zayed agreed to his request and cut the phone.

 He began to look for his mother who was the first face he saw almost every morning. In the midst of many women who had come to their house early, he searched for her but couldn’t find her. Deema found him instead and asked him to go to the men’s Maylis outside where she’d bring him his breakfast.

Zayed did what he was told and upon seeing Deema he had remembered her sister, Jenaan. Therefore as he entered the empty Maylis, the first thing he did was reply to Jenaan’s message. He was uncertain of what to say, although he was free to refuse but some part of him hoped to see her. It was vain hope.

‘Good Morning Jenaan, I hope everything’s fine with you. I do not understand the urgency of your request but I will try and make time to see you.’

He chose his words very carefully for now the situation with them was very different and then he sent it. Soon after Jenaan’s reply came, she had sent the place and café where she’d be waiting for him. Zayed read the message without replying.

There was a knock on the door and a maid came in with his breakfast. Zayed inquired about his mother and she told him she’s busy with some women. Zayed asked her to hand him the newspaper and pour him a cup of tea. The maid carried out his request and vanished after that.

Zayed was sipping his tea when Hamad called again. He set the newspaper aside, taking a glance at his phone he stood up leaving his half-filled cup of tea and his untouched breakfast there.

~*♥*

Hamad stood leaning his back on the driver’s side of his car, his arms folded across his chest. He smiled at Zayed who walked across the street in his direction to meet him.

“Halla bilma’ras. (Hello to the groom)” Hamad teased.

“Ahlain feek (Hello to you too)” Zayed answered. They shook hands and exchanged greetings. He asked his friend to come inside, but Hamad refused, saying;

“Another time Insha Allah, I am in a hurry now.” He informed, “Just came to give you this.” Opening the back door of his car, Hamad took out a large box and held it to his friend. “It’s a small present for your wedding.”

Zayed watched, slightly baffled. He held his eyes as Hamad lifted the box a little higher, meaning for him to take it.

“There was no need.” Zayed added, taking the box from him.

“It’s a bisht. I always wanted to buy your wedding bisht myself.” Hamad informed. His friend was taken aback.

“Mashkoor Habibi, Ma teqasr (Thanks man, you don’t bring one down)” He thanked.

“It’s my obligation.” Hamad smiled. “I would love to stay and see you try it but I really have to rush.  Have a lot of work waiting for me.” He apologized. Zayed understood his situation and let him go, without further ado, not before he thanked him again for the unexpected gift.

As Hamad’s car vanished down the street, a pinch of guilt gnawed at Zayed’s heart. Since now he was going to meet someone else. A very strange feeling took over him. How could he, on his wedding day, go see a woman who wasn’t his wife?

Tugging that feeling in his heart, he headed to his car.

**

A thick, cottony layer of grey clouds veiled the sky. They looked very lasting. It might rain today, thought Zayed as he drove his way through Jumeirah beach road, to a café near the sea. Jenaan had chosen this place because she was staying in a hotel nearby. At a Friday morning the roads were pretty quiet. It took Zayed ten minutes to get there.

This time finding Jenaan hadn’t been as easy as the last time, since she had chosen a table at the back of the café, facing the sea. The café was empty, except for a couple who had taken a table at the far end of the place. Zayed found Jenaan sitting alone, with her back to him, staring at the sea and its angry waves breaking against the rocks. Once again he recognized her blonde hair from a distance. She didn’t turn to him, until his shadow shaded her which came into notice; Jenaan twirled her head to find Zayed walking from beside her.

“Good morning.” Zayed greeted, stealing a glance at her. Jenaan’s astonishment reached Zayed without having turned towards her. He slowly took the seat in front of her then allowed himself to look up. His quick eyes noticed her state in a matter of seconds, her hair that were tied in an up-do today, her green eyes that looked worn out and the cup of coffee that sat in front of her, untouched.

Looks like both of them didn’t have much of an appetite today.

 “You came.” Jenaan said with a light smile, her green eyes widened a little. She sounded surprised as if she hadn’t been expecting him, despite him telling her he’d come.

Zayed nodded. “I am a man of my word.” He said, taking off his shades and hung them in his front pocket.

“I know you are.” Jenaan pursed her lips. “How are you?” She finally remembered to inquire about his health.

“Good,” Zayed lied with a frown on his face.

Jenaan waited for him to ask about her well-being but Zayed didn’t. After a few seconds of observation; “You don’t look very pleased to see me.” She stated.

“No, that’s not it.” His frown deepened. “I have a lot of unfinished business, that’s all.”

She nodded as if she just recalled.

“Oh yeah, you’re getting married today.” Her act of forgetting was clear to him. He knew she couldn’t forget that piece of reality. “Then I should probably cut this conversation short and tell you that I called you to say Goodbye.” She stared in his eyes. “I am going back to America tonight.” She dropped the news, which took Zayed by surprise. He hadn’t seen it coming.

Zayed sat there looking at her. Thinking how did she come up with the idea of escaping so soon?

“Can I have an explanation?” He grimaced.

“This place is not working with the book.” She made up a story she had thought of earlier.

“I thought Rashid was helping you with that.” Zayed implied.

“He did but I think I am going to have to go back with empty hands.” She aimed the arrow to another direction but it hit his heart.

“Why so suddenly?”

Jenaan shrugged her shoulders, not having a reply to give him. They both remained silent for a while, she was staring at him and he at her hands on the table. The news had somehow unsettled him. He seemed upset.

The waitress arrived asking for his order and he shook his head. Jenaan thanked and dismissed her on his behalf, since he was too caught up with the unexpected news.

“So you’re not going to wait for my wedding?” When Zayed spoke again, there was curiosity in his soft voice.

“I am afraid I can’t.” Jenaan replied, shaking her head.

“And you won’t stay to see me as a groom?” He asked looking straight in her eyes until she looked down.

“I am sure you’ll look great. You always look great.” He still stared, waiting for her to put her eyes into his so that he could read them. “I am not sure about your Mahra though?” Jenaan looked up, at last. Their eyes met for a second and she turned to look from his shoulder at the sea again. “Is she pretty?”

Her question made him smile. He had dropped his head and she thought he nodded.

“Is she prettier than me?” Jenaan urged, tilting her head a little to get a better look at his expressions. Her innocent question annoyed Zayed. How could the full moon question her beauty?

“Yeah, she’s beautiful.” He said only to see how that’ll make her feel and it surely had an effect. The color of her face had changed. “She is a little smarter than you too.” He asserted and watched as all words escaped Jenaan and she bit her lower lip.

“Of course she’s smarter.” Jenaan said, reluctantly. “She stole you right from between my arms.” She retorted. Her eyes clarified how deep Zayed’s words had hit her. Zayed furrowed his eyebrows; was that her way of confessing her feelings?

“What do you mean?” He asked to make sure what he heard was right.

Jenaan waited before answering. Collecting herself, thinking how much information to give away and how much to keep. “I have always told other people to listen to their hearts, but I couldn’t listen to my own when it spoke.”

“You’re saying you don’t practice what you preach?” He asserted, his voice indignant. She frowned at his boldness.

“You’re not better than me. You and I are both sailing the same boat.” Jenaan replied.

“But I don’t pretend to be as great as you do.” He stared at her with an unfathomable expression.

“Oh you do not talk about greatness with me. You have had greatness thrust upon you ever since you were young and you will sacrifice your soul to stand up to everyone’s expectations. You’re a charmer Zayed. That’s what you are.” She was beginning to release the rage inside which was irrational.

A heavy wind blew and hit the sea, causing huge waves clash with each other which then came forth softly in a quiet rhythm. As the sea water coated the shiny sand, the birds near the shore flew with a chirping sound away from Jenaan’s sight and her sorrow.

 Zayed kept his eyes on her and he now understood what she was trying to say. What she had been trying to say all this time! She was coming clean about her feelings towards him. But he didn’t get her stupidity, was it now that she realized herself or that she had bad timing? In both cases, her confrontation enraged him. How could she declare her feelings to him on his wedding day? What kind of a man did she think he was?

 “Why do you seem so angry then?” He calmly asked at length.

Jenaan shook her head. “I am not mad, I am disappointed.” She said.

“Disappointed with who?” Zayed pointed to her. “Yourself?” raising an eyebrow.

“Don’t act like you don’t know what I am talking about.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about so tell me?” He provoked.

“You should understand me. I thought we have our own language of communication. I can read your eyes and you always claimed that I was your open book. So what happened now? You lost your reading skills?” The fury in Jenaan’s voice was only barely contained. She had a hard time controlling herself. Zayed too was outraged but unlike Jenaan he had self-control.

A long moment of awkward silence rang around them. She was embarrassed to have crossed the limits whereas he thought of a good way to kill all her hopes right there and then.

“I stopped paying attention a long while ago.” Zayed declared. He stared at the naked pain in her eyes and continued to hurt her.

“How long a while?” She questioned.

“Ever since I met Mahra.” He lied but his friend didn’t believe him.

Jenaan snorted.

“Everyone knows that your marriage to Mahra was arranged.” She declared making Zayed frown.

“Who says so?” he denied, peering blackly at her.

“If you were involved with someone, you would’ve told me a long time ago.” Jenaan said, matter-of-factly.

“What gives you that impression?” Zayed leaned forward at the table, with a rough voice he completed. “I never shared my love life with you before, either.”

His words hit her hard.

“You’re lying.”

Zayed smirked. “Is this why you called me here on my wedding day? To accuse me for being a liar? I thought you had something a bit more important.” He taunted.

Jenaan remained silent and looked down from his eyes to his chest. Thinking if she could somehow rip through the shades and peek inside, would she really find a heart in his chest? There was a huge possibility of finding a black stone instead.

She remembered him telling her once about someone special in his life, a woman he was willing to wait for all his life. Jenaan had believed that he meant her and was naive enough to make him wait. But seems like he hadn’t meant her then, she wasn’t that special.

But she had to tell him how she felt. May be that’ll change his mind.

“Before you start a new life, I must tell you how I feel about you.” Jenaan sat straight in her chair. Zayed’s heart stilled and he went rigid. “The Earth hasn’t been strong enough to carry me since the day you told me about your engagement. I have ached unconditionally by the mere thought of losing you, of you being someone elses’ and not mine. I realized that there is no life without you. No air where you aren’t.” She came clean.

“I am a married man Jenaan.” Zayed warned, ignoring all the things that Jenaan’s words made him feel. He’d wished to hear them a lot, but not like this and not right now.

“I took you for granted.” Jenaan completed, ignoring his interference. “Thinking you’d always be around. You were my Zayed you’d always standby but I was a fool to think that way, a complete and utter moron.” She stepped on her pride and said the words that hid in her heart. She wanted to let all living things, every soul, every creature know how much she loved him.

And now she waited for his reply. Jenaan looked at him, his eyes enigmatic.

“And you’re a fool to confess it to me now.” He hissed, his tone deadly and voice grim. “Why are you telling me this now? What’s the point? You think I’ll leave everything and run away with you?” He plastered a smile on his face, which was a replacement for his anger and annoyance. “Do you really think I am that kind of a man.?” He questioned.

Jenaan shook her head. She knew he wasn’t, that’s why she adored him so much.

“Then forget all about this. I’ll act like this conversation never took place and it’d be better if you do the same.” He commanded, not liking the disrespectful manner he was addressing Jenaan with, but he had to.  “And you’re not going back tonight. You have to stay for the wedding.” Zayed thought of all the doubts that people had about him and Jenaan, if she leaves the country tonight all those doubts will turn into certainty and he didn’t want that. Not for himself, not for his parents, not even for Mahra. So he considered and acted at the same time.

“I can’t stay.” Jenaan said a while later. Zayed noticed her voice trembling.

“Why can’t you?” He asked as if they hadn’t had the conversation at all. Jenaan looked down at the table and then back at him. He now saw tears swim in her eyes.

“Because my heart isn’t as cold as yours!” She yelled at him and a single drop of tear threatened to fall. At the sight of the shinning pearls in her eyes, his heart started to beat faster. He wanted to hit the table and throw the chairs away if it helped put down the rage. He was the reason Jenaan was crying. He put those tears in her eyes.

Quickly turning away from her, he stood up, unable to stand it anymore. He reached to his pocket and took out his wallet, trying his best to not look at her as he took some money to pay for her order.

“I don’t care.” He threw the money on the table. “But you’re not going back to America, not tonight.” He ordered and turned to leave her there with a broken heart.

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 Finally the wait ended & u got 2 read the new chapter. Hope u liked it:) If u did, don't forget 2 vote & comment. And yeah we finally found our Mahra...we've been looking 4 soooo long & never found a girl who did justice to our imagination but now we have. Check out the pic and tell us what you think:)

Plus we sent one of our fav songs of all times, check it out guyz;)

And Thanks 2 every1 who read our story & voted, thank u once more guys ur support has been awesome. But we have a question. What do you like about Zayed? Plz answer.

Last but not the least, we've a good news guyz...We passed our final exams yeayyyyy. Thanks to everyone who prayed for us. May Allah grant you Jannah:)

~*'♥ Lot's of love from the witers

~Witty & Witch