Kano State, Nigeria.
2018.

Falak whined when she heard the persistent knock on her door. She's been in the room for a day and half. After coming back from the hospital yesterday, she closed herself in her room and didn't show herself to anyone. When she was absent at the dining room during dinner, everyone got worried because she is never absent to dinner.

She never thought she could pull a stunt like that and hug Shaddad. She was just used to having hugs from Nevedita whenever she is tired and feeling down so when she got heartbroken. It was an overwhelming mental anguish and she feels like she was totally fooled when she thought she was taking caution. Bilal was one step or a whole mile ahead of her if she could look very well.

Maybe it was even Allah's plan to guide her heart away from men like him and made her fall in love with Shaddad so no man can have what is already taken. At least, Shaddad would never of betrayed her since he already told her or more like show her that he won't be able to love her which she accepted long before she confessed to herself about it.

But Bilal, she was about to get married to him when everything was based on lie. She really should go and tell the King and Queen about what happened between them so the marriage can be cancelled. She can't believe this is happening to her. The whole Mu'allim Bilal is just one stupid liar who does nothing but scare his family and don't even show concern to his children.

She she stitched his son, she heard the woman calling her husband to come and see the condition their son is but she didn't hear what he said from the other line. The mother and son stayed back in the hospital the whole day but there was no sign of her husband and she wanted to ask where he is but kept quite. So the husband is Bilal! The stupid son of a biscuit didn't bother coming to see his son and if he was to die, that is how he will die without seeing him.

Even if she would've agreed to marry him, because of what he did to his son, she won't do that. No matter how angry you are at your wife, it shouldn't touch your relationship with your children and she is one sensitive woman towards children. Who knows, maybe that's what he would've done to her after getting married and dump her in the house to cater for his needs like a whim.

She threw the bracelet in Shaddad's office because she has nothing to do with it anymore. She can't just stare at the bracelet without picturing just how betrayed she felt. She never would've expected that from Bilal to be a liar when he is the one always preaching about liars back in her village.

She sighed and stood up to open the door for those persistent people. She didn't bother changing from yesterday's outfit and now it is already evening the next day and she didn't feel like changing it. The green maxi dress clung to her body because of the heat she's enduring in the room with the windows closed, fan off and air conditioner also off. Nobody would've said it's winter in her room, it doesn't feel like.

"I thought you were dead." Her mother raised a brow, looking at her from head to toe and gave a disapproving shake of head at her state. "You look like a trunk hit you, only that you didn't die." Her mother trudged into the room and sat down on the bed.

"I'd be happier if a trunk hit me than that stupid man." She grumbled and sat down next to her mother on the bed, looking pissed at the mere mention of his name. Her mood changed from sad to anger because she doesn't see any reason why she should be mupping for that bastard.

"Shaddad told me what happened and the marriage is cancelled. The man should be lucky he isn't sentenced because of how pissed his Majesty was yesterday. I can't believe he fooled us like that when he is married. Can't he just tell us everything beforehand?" Her mother sighed when she see the look on her daughter's face and she stopped rambling.

Gently, she placed her daughter head in her thigh and started soothing her scalp with her hands feeling the oil deep inside. Her hair is so soft and loose so she didn't have any trouble removing her hands from the tangled hair.

After a moment of silence, Falak felt the need to open up to someone and that someone is only her mother. She didn't feel like sharing her problems with Jaiyana because she is also facing one with Huzaif at the moment. She won't try sharing it with Jabrayah since she just gave birth and is adjusting to having another life in their home. While she wants to talk to Inayah and Fikriyyah, the girls are in their first trimester, pregnant.

"Why I'm I always unfortunate and inauspicious? Whenever I try to fall in love, I manage to go for the wrong people. First, it was Shaddad who didn't give any heed to my love and thought I was just been childish and now it is Bilal who felt the need to lie to me about our whole relationship. What is wrong with me? I'm tired of all this and I wish I could stop my heart from beating for anyone and just live like that." She sobbed, burying her face into her mother thigh that smells like black oud.

Her mother lips tremble at her daughter's confession. They hardly have time to talk like this and bond up about their lives except for the time when she explained everything to her about her father and hers divorce. Hearing her daughter opening up to her alone made her overjoyed because she thought they'd never have the perfect relationship.

Thought the news about Shaddad is new to her, she still suspected something between them when Falak started her houseman ship in their hospital. She likes talking to him and always get his attention to their Ward even if it is not needed. At first, she thought it was only because she wants to get his attention but after awhile, she started seeing the emotions in her daughter's eyes especially when he saved someone's life.

"You are not unfortunate nor are you inauspicious, it is just that your time hasn't reached yet. But when the time comes, you will be the happiest. There is a bigger picture coming my dear, a lot of proposals are waiting for you." Her mother encouraged, looking distant in thoughts.

It's high time her daughter finds happiness and love in her life. Though forcing Shaddad to marry Falak won't be the solution, she has another plan up her sleeve and he won't be able to get out of it. She knew how Shaddad's thoughts goes and knows exactly from where to tackle them so she will see the King in their bedchamber.

"I always think about the big picture but it's always a blur." Falak sighed, wiping away all trails of tears from her face before sitting up.

"Get dressed, you should be at the dining room for dinner." Her mother made her way to her closet to get her something to wear.

"Do I have to take bath?" She pouted, looking from her position on the bed as her mother removed a colour block tie neck zipper dress with bishop sleeves.

"You smell like the horse's stale." Falak gasped exasperatedly at that before running to the bathroom listening to her mother's soft chuckle.

She got dressed and tie her veil before leaving the room with Khamis and Ashir hot on her tail. They are all married and are expecting their first child in just two months, she is happy for them. If she didn't get the chance, she could at least be happy for others when they are happy and she is. They just can't stop rambling about their wives and the pregnancy.

Upon reaching the dining room, all attention is trained to her so she walked slowly in order not to fall hard on her bum. She is afraid that the attention she is getting from them will make her nervous as if this is the first time she is getting that from them. She scowled and continue to trudge inside because with the scowl, no one will get to her or her face.

She said her taslim and sat down on her usual sit next to her mother and Imad, all the while trying to avoid the sympathetic glances they are giving her. She hates it!

Everyone started eating in silence which she hated because they are all silent because of her. She took a deep breath and rose her head up to start looking at them one after the other. After meeting their gazes including Shaddad's, she glared at them again one after the other taking them by surprise except for Shaddad whose eyes only narrowed slightly and she is the only one that is seeing those small lazy gestures.

"You all should stop acting like I died, I'm here and I'm perfectly okay!" She rolled her eyes and put a huge grape in her mouth, chewing it leisurely as they all started chuckling lowly before the whole table erupted with everyone's laughter except for Mr obvious.

"But seriously, you should've brought the guy home and we could've had him for dinner yesterday. Now we don't have anything to laugh at because his face is still intact." Masrooq's voice rumbled, getting all worked up about the fact that they visit gym for nothing.

"You're right!" Harith chirped, his face and voice is something entirely different. His face looks eerily calm while his voice is clipped with wrath, fury and an ounce of concern.

"You guys should calm down, I slapped him!" She laughed at their amused expression. "Asad will be very proud of me because finally, going to gym helped my arms and palm." She giggled when the full blown laughter erupted all around the table.

The Queen smiled before taking her husband with her to their bedchamber..

*****
Yoyoyoyo!
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Aishatu.