amazingleeeemerh y'all better thank her for this chapter!!!!!!🥺❤️

Nigeria.

***

The trip from Abuja to Kaduna seems longer than it is. Maybe because he is extremely nervous of what he will meet or because part of him isn't sure if Batool will come home to him.

Khaleel was a nervous wreck when the driver pulled over in Batool's home.

The house looks nothing like it used to look.

Her brothers make sure to renovate the house all the time that one of this days, Khaleel will not be able to recognize the house he partly spent his childhood in. Mama used to leave him and his sisters all the time when she had to travel away with Baba. Khaleel mostly spends his holidays here with Batool's elder brothers who always picked up on him. He was the youngest then..

When he stepped inside the house, the sweat drenched his neck. The house is beautiful decorated to the bits with high interior designs. He decided to wait in Ummah's living room while the maid excused herself to call her.

It feels like hours.

Even days.. but Batool's mother, Ummah, finally graced him with her presence. Suddenly, he felt extremely ashamed. He had hurt her daughter. He triggered her daughter to come home to her parents even when he promised to take care of Batool for the rest of his life.

Even if Ummah is angry at him, she didn't show him that side of her rather she embraced him openly. Just like she always did. Just like she did when his mother died or when he asked for Batool's hand in marriage or when every obstacle they've faced in life occurred.

"So that's all it will take for you to visit this old lady? Maybe I should kidnap Batool from time to time, then I will finally see you" Ummah joked sitting on the couch while he crouched on the carpet.

He laughed nervously. "Good afternoon Ummah.. it's nothing like that. I apologise for not visiting frequently.."

"Good afternoon Ibraheem. How are you?"

His heart thundered in his chest.

How is he?

Torn out.

Nervous, anxious, worried, tired..

He is all sorts of emotions but Ummah doesn't need to know that so he replied with the most convenient one, "Fine Alhamdulilah"

That was when they heard the salaam, Ya Sadiq and Ya Muhammad walked in and when their eyes fell on Khaleel, they sent daggers his way.

"What is he doing here?!" Ya Sadiq asked harshly, thunderously. Growing up, Ya Sadiq has always scared Khaleel to death. He is bulky, almost huge with deep voice and violent arms and he is never afraid to use them.

"Sadiq! Stop this" Ummah said.

"Tabdijam!" Ya Muhammad gasped. "You think Batool is a doormat right? You think you can just step on her however you like and then follow her home to guilt trip her with sweet words right?! Your in the wrong house!"

"Batool is not coming back. Send the divorce papers!"

Khaleel smiled at them. Maybe Batool's brothers think he is still the small, young Khaleel who used to follow them around and wish he was as big as them.. This time, he is here as Khaleel, their sister's husband not the Khaleel they know.

"I would like to talk to my wife" he replied calmly.

"Wife?!"

"Yes, wife. Batool is still mine"

"Not for long.."

He didn't see that coming but the next thing he felt was his jaw cackling followed by an abnormal sound. Pain resonated through his whole body.
Ya Muhammad had tackled him to the ground almost immediately dismantling his face. It happened so fast, he can hear Ummah yelling for them to stop and Batool crying by the side.

What shocked him was that he didn't even bother fighting back, rather he sat there and soaked it in. A vision crossed his mind so quick, what if someone hurts his sister they way he did to Batool? Allah knows he won't sit around and do nothing. He will bash the man almost to death. He thought about Ya Zeezee, how she is sitting at home with a broken heart and three children to take care of. How she has been hurt over and over again in her matrimonial home instead of being love. How she is carrying a child in her yet she is still moving forward. He knows she is beyond hurt and broken and that alone makes him angry.

He had turned into that man.

Ya Rabeel Aalameen.

The security guards and Usman, Batool's youngest brother pulled Ya Muhammad off him. Immediately Batool ran to him.. she ran to him beyond worried.

"This is why I don't want to come home!" She yelled amidst her tears. "you always think violence is the key. Always!"

Khaleel caged her in his hold. "It's okay Habibty.. it's fine"

Ummah heaved a sigh. "Leave my house, both of you"

Ya Muhammad was heaving loudly as if he has accomplished a mission, "I don't regret bashing his head on the ground, next time you hurt Batool or any other woman this way then trust me, I will kill you!" He threatened.

"Ummah, I'll visit you later Inshallah" he glared at Khaleel one more time before leaving.

When they left, one by one, Batool moved away from his hold almost as if she regained her senses.. his heart broke but Batool refused to make any sort of eye contact with him.

Ummah handed him an icepack. "You boys will never learn.. Ibraheem you are my responsibility. Your mother left you in my care.. do you understand that?"

Khaleel heaved a deep breath.

"Ummah, I am sorry"

"I will never be at peace if Ummusalmah's golden boy doesn't make it. You've been good Khaleel"

His throat tightened.

Khaleel looked down blinking away the heartache in his heart.

"You haven't failed Mama. Infact, I failed you. Batool shouldn't be here, this way, because of what I've done.."

Silence envelope them.

"Do you love Batool?"

Khaleel almost choked on his tears but it's now or never so he looked up at Batool who is sitting far away from his reach sniffing back her tears.

"With all my heart"

"Then you resolve it"

Khaleel sighed. "Batool has been good to me. So good. She doesn't deserve this.. I am deeply sorry Ummah"

"I've spoken to Batool already.. she is just hurting"

Because of me.. he thought.

"Solve it and also, the next time you come in town make sure you visit!" She stood up. Khaleel chuckled nervously..

"I promise Ummah. Thank you for everything. May Allah reward you with Jannah"

She paused for a second then slowly a sad smile carve her lips. "Ameen. Your just like your mother in every way"

He has never heard something more beautiful than that.

Just like his mother.

Except his mother never hurt a soul.

But he did.

Severely.

The moment Ummah left the living room, Khaleel turned his attention to Batool who has her hands wrapped around her knee. She didn't look up at him nor say a word so he kept quiet, staring at her, inspecting her, mesmerized by her beauty and just like that, he fell in love with her over and over again.

"Remember the summer after Mama died?" He asked lowly. Batool looked up at him wondering where he going with his thoughts.

"You left for Sudan" she answered simply.

"I begged you to come with me"

"But.. I couldn't"

"I asked you to elope with me"

Batool smiled. "You had everything planned out"

"I did. It was a good plan"

They both laughed but it was caught short because Batool broke down into tears.

"Ummah said co-wife isn't the end of my beautiful marriage" Batool said, "and I completely agree"

His voice cracked, "I am sorry Fateemah. Please, come home"

"I completely understand why you want another wife.. it's okay with me. But.. I'm hurting"

It feels like someone knocked the air out of him.

Khaleel gasped. "Why will you say that? I have always loved you Batool and I always will. There can't be Khaleel without Batool.. wallahi it isn't possible. You are my every breath!"

"It doesn't feel like it"

"Move closer Fateemah. Your far away"

She didn't move.

"Your slipping away from my reach"

Batool buries her face in her palms and cried some more.

"I am at your mercy Batool. I've always been.. since day one"

She inhaled sharply.

"I won't force you to come with me but I will beg you.. for so long. Until my last breath.."

The shivers run down her spine.

"Tell me, how stupid will I be if I let you go? You are my home Batool. For so long and that's not about to change"

Breath taking hiccups. She craves for air.. just a little bit to sustain her tightening lungs.

"Allah chose you for me, I wanted you for a very long time. You have every right to walk away from me, every single right! It's your choice. But just know.. I won't stop fighting for you. You are worth everything.. and I am truly sorry for the pain I've caused you"

Batool looked up at him with tear stricken face. She glared at him. "God! I hate you so much"

Just like that he broke into laughter so hard she joined him.

One time, Baba had walked in on him talking to Batool on the phone.. he was about to say I love you but he quickly changed to I hate you! Batool was shocked from the other side of the call. She hung up on him angry. Afterwards, Baba had called Khaleel and said, "Malam I hate you so much. You think I don't know? I was once you age" Khaleel has never been that ashamed before his father. Ever since then, I hate you was their new I love you for a long time.

"Scoot closer"

He obey until they are close. So close he can feel her hot breath on his face.

It feels like home.

His home.

His love filled, complete home with Batool.

"I want to talk to Aamirah" Batool said when she pulled away slightly.

"Okay" he replied simply because he is consumed by all of her and lust is obstructing his view.

"Okay" she breathe back before giving him her all.

All. Of. Her.

***

Part twelve: Drowning in Love.

Dear Ya Ashraf,

Is this how it's feels to be in love?

To be constantly thinking about the person two-four-seven without break?

To be constantly worried about the person two-four-seven?

To be constantly counting down the seconds till you next see the person?

To be constantly day dreaming about what life will be with just you and the person?

Wondering if ten years from now you will both walk down the beach hand in hand and soak your legs inside the cold relaxing water and feel so loved and so much happiness.

Is this what love is?

Ya Allah! I have it bad.

Do you remember the girl you had a crush on back then?

Is it Saliha or Samha? I honestly can't remember.

But I remember you being so in love with her you talk about her all day long.

Have you ever imagined a life when Saliha or Samha will finally notice you and like you back?

A day when she will be so consumed by all of you nothing else matters..

I think about that a lot...

Will Khaleel ever look at me the way he looks at Batool?

Absolutely not.

Impossible.

Insane.

I'm going crazy.

He has consumed all of me.

I can't wait to see him.

To feel his pinning gaze on me.

To horribly change the topic when he asks questions like, "is this all for me?"

I've said too much..

Alhamdulilah you can't and won't read this if not, I will be so shy and embarrassed.

I love you forever.

Love, love, love,

Mimi.

***

It has been a hectic ride.

Ummah insisted they spend
one more night with her and Khaleel has never felt more awkward.

Time flashes back to when they were younger..

When Khaleel will stay over in their house and stay up all night talking to Batool about everything and nothing. About their future. About their plans. About their kids. About where they will live or how they will live their lives together.

Or if Khaleel will cook or Batool will take up that responsibility. If he will continue his NGO or actually get a real money earning job or if Batool will travel the world with him or stay back and fulfil her dreams of being a doctor. They talked.. a lot. And some more and more until Ummah will send them away to their respective rooms to sleep.

Khaleel always said, "I can't wait for this to be halal. Can we just elope already?"

Shyly, Batool will duck away from his look, "No. Goodnight.. we are doing this the right way" then she will run away from his gaze leaving him in laughter.

Ironic since he is here at Batool's room with her. All alone. The halal way. Staring at her change into her nightgown the halal way. He smiled but it was caught short when he felt the zing of pain on his jaws.

Ya Muhammad has broken his jaw forreal.

He still has a busted lip that Batool constantly watched over with an icepack.

She is on full doctor mode.

When she turned around and faced him, she rolled her eyes smiling. "Dreams come true.. I know you've always fantasized about sleeping on my bed"

He laughed. Wait.. who told her?

"You've always been possessive over this bed.. what's special about it?"

"Ummah brought a new bed when Ya Khadi moved in. It's so comfortable"

For a minute he froze. Batool just talked about Ya Khadi so casually.. that's.. wow.

"Don't even.." she sighed. "I'll check on Raina and be right back" then she walked out of the room after draping her hijab.

Khaleel laid on the bed.

It is comfortable...

He pulled out his phone and dialled Aamirah's number but she didn't answer. When he checked the time, he realised it's past midnight so instead he sent her a text checking up on her.

Suddenly he felt overwhelmed,

The private investigator will be coming on Monday.

And he comes baring news.

***
Assalamualaikum babesss🙋

I've never been a fan of morning updates but oh well, have a beautiful morning and I hope this makes you smile just like your comments give me joy!!!!

Thank you for loving this story just as much as I loveeeeee writing it🤧🤧🤧❤️❤️❤️

So many emotions.... Let's deal with the most disturbing one,

What will Batool say to Aamirah???

Trust me, It will come hitting hard.

Vote, comment and share❤️❤️❤️