Sudan, Khartoum.

***

Khaleel dialled her number once again. It wasn't like his Batool to stay mad at him for so long or ignore his calls, she has always been understanding, always. then why will she start ignoring him now? Yes he did her wrong last night but his Batool, subhanaAllah, his Batool is one of a kind.

Knotting his tie around his neck, he dialed a number he is sure will answer unless she is busy. "Ya Maamah?"

"na'am Khaleel, good morning"

"Good morning. I can't get through Batool? I've been calling all morning.." He said getting straight to the point.

"She has a six hours surgery today obviously you can't get through her"

He exhaled deeply. Alhamdulilah.

"Didn't she tell you?"

"Maybe i forgot" he lied, he can't get on Ya Maamah's bad list, not now.

"Pray for the surgery to be a success, it's really taking a troll on her"

His stomach crunch and right at that moment he wanted to weep, she always felt nervous and uneasy before operating her patients. He always had to calm her down and talk to her because she spent the night worrying and praying and he failed her. He wasn't there for her when she needed him. He failed his wife.

"InshaAllah, I trust her, bye" he ended the call composing a message for her before starting his day with a heavy heart.

Wifey- i love you habibty. You'll do wonderful InshaAllah. Call me asap.

***

Khaleel walked out of the visitors lounge and to JamJam's office were she was stomping her feet in front of him, he lossened his tie frustrated and sat on the couch while Jameelah close the door.

"Are you sure?" She asked and he nod his head. "But.. What if they turn out to be like her last adoptive parents?"

"Jameelah InshaAllah she will be fine, she is a strong girl and Hafsat has looked into the family background and reputation. Even I have done my own share of research, they are honest people"

She bit her lip to stop them from trembling. "They seem nice and okay but.. Ya Rabb! This always happens, always" she slumped on her chair s the tears roll down her cheek.

Khaleel stood up smiling at his cousin bravely. "I will never forgive myself if she lives the life she doesn't deserve"

She nods her head understanding.

She knew a day will come when they have to part ways but she can't stop her selft from attaching to the little girl.

She is so sweet and innocent, she wants to be selfish with her. .

"Do you want to see her and say goodbye?" He asked and she shake her head sideways.

"I am afraid I wont be able to let her go if I see her. give her this, tell her it's from aunty JamJam" she hands him a black bracelet that was wrapped around her wrist, it had silver butterfly attached to it and she always obsessed over the bracelet whenever she sat her down on her lap.

"You'll be fine Jameelah" he smiled at her collecting the bracelet as he walked away.

She didn't know why or how she reached out to her phone but when his soothing voice spoke to her, she found herself falling for him more and more.

"What happened?" He asked worried.

"Israh is leaving, this young couple just came and they adopted her" She cried. "You are right Kabeer, I am not fit for this job. I am so emotional and i get close to someone easily, I am not strong enough for this job. I am weak and pathetic and useless and so selfish. I am suppose to be happy for the little girl, she is finally getting the life she deserves but I don't want her to go. What if they end up like her former adoption parents?"

"Jameelah you are driving me crazy by Allah.." She noticed the change of tone, suddenly she felt hot. So hot.

Why isn't the air conditioner working?

"You are none of that, you are so strong habibty. Very strong, and beautiful and amazing and cute, funny, protective and loving. You care for everyone and it's so damn amazing, you will be fine"

Her breath is coming out heavy now.

Did he just? Oh God.

"Will you take care of me?" She could practically feel his smile from the over side of the phone.

"Till the end of time"

***

Khaleel became silent all of a sudden, his eyes were blazing from accusations and hurt. He gritted his teeth wiping away the vulnerability in his face. He saw this coming, well not exactly but he saw it coming, something was definitely coming and this was it.

"I couldn't keep it in any anymore" she cried her body trembling. The cold, harsh weather wasn't helping in any way.

"Hassan is a dangerous man, stay away from him Aamirah" he said trying not to let his anger for the man get in the way.

"It's not him, you don't know him" she snapped.

he couldn't believe this, even after what she had said she is still adamant on believing he is a good guy? SubhanaAllah.. She is a goner. "I know Hassan, I lived with the guy half of my life"

She wiped away her tears furiously, "He told me about you guys. You pushed him away!"

This time all hell broke loose, he was practically on his feet as he pace up and down the muscles straining through his office outfit. "You don't know what happened, he is feeding you lies Aamirah. Lies"

She shook her head sideways letting out a shaky breath. "Whatever it is you have to help him get back on his feet"

He has no idea how he will make Aamirah understand but if she continues acting this way then he has no choice but to let her be. Before he could respond, his phone rang and he quickly grabbed it from his pocket staring at the ID.

He exhaled deeply, "Goodnight" he walked away from the balcony answering the call.

"I had such a long and busy day, Sorry I'm just returning you call. How are you?"

He smiled even though she couldn't see him. "I know love. I am sorry too, how was the surgery?" He locked the door of his room sitting on the bed.

"Alhamdulilah, successful. I was really nervous, this is the first surgery i operated without hearing your words of encouragement"

"Alhamdulilah, I never doubted you for a second. I am so sorry, something," he paused. he never keeps anything from his wife but this time he has to. He can't tell her about Hassan, it will change her drastically and bring back unwanted, bad memories. He can't bear to see her go throw what she went through because of him, not even in his wildest dream.

"Something came up and I lost track of time last night"

"How bad is it?"

He removed his tie throwing it inside the hamper. "I'll be fine InshaAllah, you pray for me every second, every minute of your life don't you?"

She laughed heavily, "You know I do"

"Go to sleep, I know you must be exhausted. Goodnight, I love you"

She yawned "I miss you"

He smiled, he really did miss her but with Hassan on his trail.. There is no going back or stepping back or hiding.

It's now or never.

or history might repeat itself!

***

Hassan + Khaleel = dramaaa!!

We are going to need those handkerchiefs and popcorn now, things are getting interesting.

somebody warm Mimi to stay out of this.. It's getting, intense.

I'll be dropping clues from now on (or maybe i did already🙊) bring out your guesses hat.

Mwahaha😂

A/N: my schedule is getting much more hectic, if you don't see me for awhile.. Pray for me. Thank you💗

Random questiom: your thoughts on xenophobia??

Hmm, it's bad wallahi, May Allah protect us all and bring an end to this. Ameen.