That one phone call ruined the entire day for Asma, which also served as a wakeup call, and no one has seen her since she locked herself in her room. Of course, rumors spreads fast, and despite the incident that took place between the maids, the gossip still continued. Everyone took Asma's seclusion to have taken root from seeing Amir Qasim with Hadiza Jalo. They could not think of a single reason why she will lock herself away for the rest of the day, with no company, no food, and never once seeking anyone.

It was as if she was not in there even though she was seen going in there. She was out of sight, but certainly not out of mind—especially not to a certain someone that may or may not have lingered in front of her room door more times than necessary, before deciding against knocking on her door and going about his night.

It was not until the dawn of the new day came that Asma finally left the one corner in her room she had hurdled herself for hours in the darkness of her room, leaving the corner only to pray and return there until the morning came. She took in a deep breath, then made her way to the ensuite to shower and get ready for the day.

She found herself spending longer time than usual under the running water of the shower head, her entire body soaked under the stinging hot water. And by the time she left the shower to pick up her outfit for the day, she had no enthusiasm for the day, and hated the closet full of clothes that she would usually like.

Even still, she picked up an outfit that did not fail to impress, even though it was a simple adiree boubou. When she made her way towards her line of perfumes to pick up her favorite, her lips tugged downwards into a slight frown when she did not see it where she usually keeps it. Now thinking about it, she did not see it the day before either, and she just dismissed it and picked up something else.

She made a mental note to ask Karima later if she knows where she kept it. Thankfully, she did not just have of it, and so brought out a new one, and spritz herself with it before slipping into her shoes and making her way out of the room, with her phone in hand and a permanent frown masking her features.

She noticed the house was oddly quiet. Sure enough it is early, earlier than she usually wakes up but she is certain the maids are usually up and about bustling at times like this even. She did not think much into that though and instead made her way to the dining room, hoping to find the breakfast ready as usual.

Only to meet the contrary.

The dining table was completely empty, with nothing in sights. Even the lights were turned off, signifying that no one has been there entirely.

Her frown deepened.

The sound of footsteps approaching reached her ears, and upon joining her in the room, the familiar voice belonging to the owner of the footsteps reached her ears. "So, you are still alive, it appears." He said, using the same words she used to speak to him a few days ago.

Asma's eyes flicked close as she looked away, not in the mood to mess with him in the slightest. In fact, she did not want to see him, and even more so be in the same room with him. So, in an attempt to be as far away from him as possible, she turned around to walk out and leave him wordlessly.

But, he was not having that by the looks of it.

"Where are you going?" He asked, his tone though calm, was pointed.

Asma stopped, but did not turn around to look at him. "Anywhere you are not," She grumbled, truly meaning her words. Amir Qasim is the last person she wanted to see in that moment, and it will be better if he ignores her as usual.

Apparently, he did not get that memo though.

Because his voice came again, way too calm for her liking. "Make me breakfast," He said, and though his words were not cold, it was an order for sure.

Her brows drew in, and unable to help herself, she turned around to look at him and their eyes met. "What?"

"Make me breakfast," He repeated, ever so calmly, as if it is the most normal thing for them to speak of.

It is not.

Asma wondered when they reached that point and started such things. Did they not have an unspoken agreement to stay out of each other's matters? Cooking for him is not something she planned on doing—or at least, she thought of it yesterday, until she saw him all grins with another woman.

This is not about the woman though. It is about everything she had known up until this point. Everything she stands for. Everything she has to stand for.

"There are maids," she said, her voice as cold as her expression. "Have them make one, as usual."

Holding her gaze unwavering, Amir Qasim parted his lips to ask, "Is any of them my wife?"

"Huh?" The man is confusing Asma, more than usual.

"Were you not playing the role of my wife?" He arched a brow, "Might as well do everything a wife does. You seem to enjoy cooking for your in-laws. It had me curious, if you like cooking that much, cook for me then."

"No." She gritted out, without a second thought.

"It was not a question, Princess." Though his tone was soft, there was something about it that showed he was not willing to take 'no' for an answer. He was not giving her a choice. Turning around, he pulled out his chair, and settled on it, so his back was facing her. "I have dismissed all the maids today, so you might as well get started." He added, pulling out his phone and scrolling away.

Asma glared at his back, her hands fisted by her side as she graced him with all sort of colorful words in her head. Realizing there is no point in standing there though, she huffed out a breath, and then walked past him to head towards the kitchen where true to his words, none of the maids were in sight.

Annoyance coursed through her veins as she worked her way around the kitchen, thinking of what to make for breakfast. It is not that she hated cooking, no, she loves it—that is an established fact by now. Cooking for Amir Qasim in particular just happens to be something she detests the absolute most.

Still though, as she started, her annoyance slowly dissipated and she found herself getting lost in it, almost forgetting what has been plaguing her mind. She has always loved cooking, and preferred to do it alone because she does not trust anyone in her kitchen. So, when Amir Qasim showed up a few minutes later and made his towards her as she was cutting some of the vegetables, she was taken aback when he reached out and collected the knife from her, their fingers brushing, and the sudden close proximity had her holding her breath.

"Handle something else. I will cut these," he said, the knife now in his hand as he picked up on cutting the onion she has started slicing.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, "I can handle it. Were you not the one that asked me to cook as your wife?"

He hummed, his gaze finding hers. "And as your husband, I am supposed to help, am I not?"

Asma's heart fluttered behind her ribcage, and she was quick to look away from him, shooing away the feelings. "Do what you want," She grumbled as she left him to cutting the vegetables, then made her way back to the cooker to carry on with what she is doing initially.

As she turned around and left though, Amir Qasim was once again met with the scent of that damn perfume of hers. He was sure he had taken it from her room the other day. He could not stand it—she was messing with his senses with the damned perfume. So, he thought if he took it away, then the problem would be solved.

Why does she still have its scent on her?

Amir Qasim shook his head, exhaling his breath as he tried to get it out of his mind. In an attempt to push it out of his mind, he focused his attention on cutting the vegetables. For the next few seconds, no words were exchanged between them, and the only sound heard was that of Asma frying the sausages she had brought out, with him cutting onions to add to the omelet.

She was ignoring him, that is certain. And he would be lying if he said it felt too odd and uncomfortable to be getting the silent treatment from her. It was supposed to be the other way round. Her annoying him feels better than this silent treatment.

So, in an attempt to stir up some sort of conversation with her, he found himself saying the first thing that came to his mind, which has been on his mind throughout. "You slept in your room last night." He said, trying to sound unbothered even though he was.

She hummed, "Obviously," She grumbled, wanting nothing than for him to shut up.

He is far from that though. "Were you not the one that said we should stay in the same room?" He asked, trying his absolute best to sound nonchalant. "Or do you not care what others say now?"

"I do not." She genuinely does not.

Amir Qasim was not expecting that answer, but still masked his surprise and then said, "Well I do, since this concerns me as well," He finished cutting everything, put it in a bowl then made his way over to her to place it beside her. Her gaze met him, then he added. "Come back to the room."

Asma's eyes narrowed, suspicion swirling in her orbs. "Don't tell me..." Her lips curled upwards into a humorless smile. "...Did you miss me or something?"

He scoffed, instantly feigning ignorance. "Of course not," His voice turned cold. "But I have a reputation, and a title to keep. I do not need you messing it all up for me. So, play your role well."

She hummed, obviously not believing him in the slightest. "Yeah, and I guess playing that role also has something to do with you pacing in front of my door countless times last night?" She arched a brow, well aware of what he had done.

She noticed it, and knew only he would do that, but ignored it as she was not in the mood for it. She did not plan 0n bringing it up then either, but since he is on it...

Blood rushed to the tip of his ears, but he did not let his expression waver. "I do not know what you are talking about." He lied straight through his teeth.

Asma scoffed, then turned around and focused back on her task at hand, deciding to let him off this one time. He is not worth her arguing with in that moment, so she let it be.

"What I am trying to say is," His voice then came again after a while. "You should sleep there tonight, and from now on." He said, and when she gave him a pointed look, he added. "I will be travelling later today, so worry not. You won't see me for about two weeks."

Asma wanted to ask where he was going to, but held herself back. Two weeks without him? She figured it is a blessing in disguise, and instead shrugged, before focusing back on her work, not saying a thing more to him.

Amir Qasim took her silence as to her agreeing, and then nodded to himself. Silently, he helped her as they finished making breakfast together, and weirdly enough, as much as Asma hated others getting involved in her cooking, his presence was not entirely bad. He seemed to know what he was doing...most time anyways.

By the time they were done, they set up the table together, the silence between them louder than any words that could have been spoken. None uttered a word to another throughout the breakfast and after.

And when the time for Amir Qasim to depart finally came, Asma watched from the window of her room as he entered the car, accompanied by Sakina's husband who after all, proves to be his right-hand man. And then, his convoy of four cars set off to who knows where since he did not provide details of his whereabouts, and she cared not to ask.

Asma waited until the convoy was out of the house before she released a breath she did not know she was holding. Amir Qasim's absence should be a good thing—she decided. Without him in sight, she could execute some of her plans.

At least, enough to flip the palace upside down.

And with that thought in mind and a final tap of her finger against the window, she turned around and set off. 

~*~

Tohhh Kassim ko dai ko dai your heart has started to sway ne kam? What is going on?

I do not understand all this corner corner una dey do. Comot and tell us.

But sha i no blame you if you no talk, Asma like this fit hembaras person.

Amma tukunna, Asma wetin una dey plan to do in two weeks? What was that phone call about?

Hmmmm wonders will soon end o.

I have no idea what she is up to, but i know say na fire go dey on top that mountain.

Karima and Tareeq, i did not forget you o. Yawwa i will see you soon. 

Toh i have said what i need to.

Stay safe and single as always,

Love, Jannah Mia.