Nigeria, Abuja.

***

Part Eleven; Falling in love.

Dear Ya Ashraf,

Sorry for leaving you hanging.

The thing is, I have restored all hope but what's the point of hope when you have no one to talk to? When you have no one to listen?

Astagfirullah.

I have Allah the Almighty. I have him to listen to me but living in a place where no one cares about you is hard.

Khaleel..

Let me tell you little about him..

He has the most perfect smiles and the kindest soul.

He is patient with me.

He is considerate of my opinion.

He makes me happy.

He makes me feel like I have a voice.

He makes me feel like a queen.

He brings peace to me.

His laughter is so comforting.

His touch is like a spark igniting a fire to my soul.

His composing rich behavior is string pulling.

He has a wife.

And a daughter.

He is happy with his family.

He doesn't need a broken girl like me.

If you haven't figured it out already then let me tell you that I am in love with Ibraheem Khaleel.

I am consumed by his all.

But I won't be that woman.. Ya Rabeel Aalameen.. I WILL NOT BE THAT WOMAN !

I won't separate Khaleel from his wife and sisters..

Maybe Ya Aisha is right..

I charmed Khaleel with my heart wrenching, sad, bitter life story.

Love,
Mimi.

***

Something changed.

Khaleel felt the change in the air that morning when they ate breakfast.

His heart felt heavy all night long.

He could not sleep because Aamirah consumed his thoughts.

She consumed his peace.

Now, he watched as Batool line the dinning table with different delicacies for him. She even dressed up in a low neck red fitted gown touching it up with his favourite scents of perfume.

As much as Batool wants this to be the perfect morning by Allah he doesn't have it in him to give her that.

He is wormed out.

He feels torn apart because of the reality that dawned on him the previous night.

The contract! The stupid contract! He cursed letting out a deep breath.

Batool paused and glanced at him worriedly. He has been like that all night giving her the nonchalant shoulder. Batool did not push him thinking maybe he is stressed over about work or just going to the first Raina NGO in Kaduna brings back memories of Mama. Maybe.

"I'm off today.. can we go out for dinner?" She asked bringing him out of his thoughts.

Khaleel toyed around with his platter of pancakes and chocolate syrup.

On a perfect morning he will be drowning in his breakfast but right now, he doesn't have an ounce of appetite.

"Maybe some other time" he replied simply.

"I don't have much time" she added, "You know how my work is. Besides, I have a workshop coming up soon"

Khaleel washed down a glass of coffee down his throat.

"I have work to attend to"

"Is there something I should know?" She asked dropping her fork and staring at him. Instead of a reply, Khaleel pushed the chair back and stood up to leave.

"Don't push me Fateemah!" He walked away leaving Batool is utmost shock and surprise.

Aamirah did not see that coming.. she quickly swallowed back the lump in her throat. She could not sleep at night so as early as possible, she walked out to the backyard for some fresh air. Just when she decided to head back, she witnessed Batool and Khaleel's little moment. The guilt wash over her body.

What is wrong with Khaleel?!

Aamirah quickly moved from her hiding space to walk to her room before Batool can spot her but unfortunately, she did.

Aamirah nervously greeted Batool.

How awkward!

"Help yourself.." Batool said gesturing to the food. She has the brightest smile on her face but Aamirah did not miss the slight hurt on her voice.

She nod her head before sitting on the dinning chair opposite her co-wife who is silently eating her food.

"Did something happen between you two?" Batool finally asked.

Aamirah stilled. "Sorry?"

"Don't fool me Mimi! I know Khaleel and I know when something is wrong with him"

"Wallahi I didn't say anything to upset him.. well, at least not that I know of"

Batool nod her head standing up. "Don't change him into something he is not.." then she walked away leaving Aamirah all alone with different varieties of breakfast before her.

The tears blurred her eyes so hard she can barely see..

Don't change him.

Don't change him.

Don't change Khaleel..

She ran to her room.

Don't change him into something he is not!

She curled up on the bed and cried some more and more..

What happened to not being that woman?

If she doesn't leave soon then God forbid, she will destroy Khaleel's and Batool's marriage and that's the last thing she wants.

With that, she started packing her clothes.

Pile upon pile until she had enough.

***

Khaleel can not believe he outrightly said no to Batool. Even when she persisted, he declined her request.
He knows Batool has no fault here yet he took it out on her.

What is her fault if she wants to go out for dinner with her husband?

Absolutely none.

He paced up and down in the room.

Ever since breakfast, Batool refused to step foot inside the same room with him rather she went ahead to pay visit to the neighbors.

That is the most awful things Batool can do to him.. ignoring him.

He inhaled a deep breath thinking of ways to justify his actions earlier but the truth is nothing will justify his actions.

Not a single thing.

He hurt Batool when she didn't deserve it and by Allah it will haunt him for awhile.

Just when he pulled out his phone to call Ya Maamah, Aamirah's call came right through.

His heart race wildly. Why is she calling him when she doesn't want him in his life? He quickly picked up.

"Assalamualaikum"

A short pause before she replied. "Wa'alaikum Salaam.. urm, please can I talk to you?"

Khaleel closed his eyes and rubbed his aching head.

"Go on"

"In person."

Ya Rabbi. Is she planning on asking for a divorce already?

He jumped up.

Aamirah will not be the death of him.

He refuse to let that happen..

How can he become a pile of mess just by hearing her voice?

Khaleel exhaled deeply before walking downstairs to her room. He met her on the bed fidgeting with her hands. His eyes fell on the suitcase beside her.

Innalilahi wa'ina ilayhi raji'un. He muttered under his breath.

This is it!

Aamirah is leaving and there is nothing he can say that will change her mind.

She is leaving him.

His heart ache but regardless he pushed the door behind him and moved forward until he is sitting beside her with a small distance between them.

She looked up almost as if his gaze on her is paining her. "I want to leave"

Khaleel felt the moist in his eyes but her held them back.

He is not that stupid to let Aamirah go willing.. of course he will fight for her! For as long as it will take.. unless she is persistent.

"Leave?" He asked baffled.

"If it's okay with you. I'll prefer to go back to my home.."

Khaleel furrowed his eyebrows. What home? Has she found her mother or what?!

"Alright. Where is it?" He unwillingly asked.

Aamirah looked up at him annoyed "I don't know the name of the place!"

"Then how are you getting there?!"

She inhaled sharply. "Why are you torturing me? Khaleel I want to go back home.. is it too much to ask? You know what? Forget it. I'm sorry, I'm asking too much.." she stood up but Khaleel held her back.

"Don't walk out on me Aamirah!"

She froze before slowly turning around to face him. "Batool has been nice enough to let me stay.. i feel like I'm imposing. Can you please take me home? I don't need Faridah to stay with me.. I'll be fine alone when your not around"

A grin carve on his lips.

Home.

Home.

She is talking about his apartment.. their home.

His heart almost broke out from his chest.. only Aamirah can mess him up this way. Only her can outrightly deny him one minute and pull him closer the other.

"It's Maitama"

Aamirah looked at him confused, "What is?"

"Our home. It's in Maitama"

"Oh!"

As if it dawned on him, he asked quickly. "Did something happen in my absence?"

"No"

"Aamirah don't lie to me. What happened? Did.." she broke into tears covering her face in his chest.

Khaleel quickly engulf her in a hug baffled.

What might have happened?

Did Batool... No!

There is no way Batool will do or say anything to hurt Aamirah..

Absolutely no way.

"Mimi.. talk to me"

"I just want to leave Khaleel.. nothing happened" she said in between cries.

"Then why are you crying?"

"Because.. I don't want to hurt you"

His heart race hastened.. the only way Aamirah can hurt him is by distancing herself away from him.. how is he suppose to tell her that?

That he is insanely captivated by her.

His Mimi.

"You won't hurt me Aamirah"

She gulped in a large sum of air before moving back from his hold. Khaleel wiped away her tears igniting a new feeling deep withing her.

The sparks wash down her spine.

Ya Rabbi!

This is going to be so hard..

Un-loving Khaleel is going to be so hard!

***

Batool wrapped her daughter in her fluffy pink towel before gently dropping her on the bed. Then, she applied her baby lotion and dressed her up for the night. Just when she finished tidying the place up, Khaleel walked inside all dressed up. She barely spared him a glance rather she continued with her work at hand.

"Assalamualaikum"

She mumbled back a salaam while Raina chant Dada.

Batool moved out from his path.

"Don't walk out on me Habibty"

She ignored him.

"Fateemah stop!"

She froze by the door unwillingly.

Damn Khaleel and his demanding tone! She rolled her eyes before turning to face him.

"I'm sorry"

She sighed, "I have things to do.."

"I was stressed out and I took it out on you. I am so sorry. Please forgive me habibty.."

"Sorry doesn't make things better Khaleel"

"But accepting my mistake does" he sighed. "Come sit with me" she moved closer until she is sitting right beside him. Raina is cuddled in his hands mindlessly watching a kids Youtube video on his phone.

"Your doubting me again.." he said deadpan staring her in the eyes. "Batool don't do this.. not again, please"

She broke into tears. "Your changing"

"Things are changing"

"I don't like this side of you Khaleel. It's hard okay? It's very hard. I've had you all my life and now sharing you with someone else.. Ya Rabbi!" She covered her face.

"I don't have anything against Aamirah, she is good for you Khaleel but I'm enough..right?"

His heart broke at her words.

"Wallahi you are enough for me Batool"

"Then why another woman?"

"Because habibty things happen. You know this is destiny right? It's Qadr. I did not plan on meeting Aamirah or loving her.. I had no intention of marrying another person except you but it happened"

Batool stared at him with wide eyes. "You love her?"

"W-what?"

"You said it. You love her! Ya Rabeel Aalameen" she stood up exhaling deeply. Khaleel followed right after her scared. Scared of losing Batool. Scared for their future. Scared of being alive without Batool by his side.

"Batool, stop. Listen to me.."

"You've said enough Khaleel. Trust me, you've said enough" she took another gulp of air trying to clear her running head.

"Don't shut me out"

"That's exactly what I'm doing!" She yelled startling Raina who broke into tears as if feeling the thick tension in the room.

"I'm leaving" she declared holding Raina and pacifying her.

Cold water.

Cold iced water drenching him.

"W-what? Y-your.. what?!" He asked shattered but Batool was long gone.

She was long gone.

Completely out of his reach.

***
Assalamualaikum.. before I say anything just know I am so heartbroken that everyone is against my Batoolie🥺🥺💔

Read this and let it sink.....👇

On a lighter note, this chapter is dedicated to my one and only Educator!!!!! amazingleeeemerh
❤️❤️❤️❤️ thank you for editing this chapter for me🥺.

Vote, comment and share💓💓💓

Also.........

Your thoughts on this chapter?!

Should Khaleel just confess his undying love for Aamirah already???🤷

Will she even agree?💆

Hihihihihi.. im enjoying this☕