Her tears rolled down as she looked down at the baby cradle to her chest. Her lip arched up into a smile, a certain coolness I had never seen glazed her eyes. I smiled and walked over the wide expanse of her room which was the perfect example of a princess’s room, big with décor that was unique and luxury.

“Tubassum” I called strolling over to her side.

“Noor” she laughed out, glanced at me then back at the baby. “Isn’t he beautiful” her smile grew merrier. I climbed into bed next to her. The silky sheets ruffled to my movement.
I got a good view of the baby and what I felt was unexplainable. He was beautiful. His eyes were closed but those small lips of his moved before halting. My heart reached out for him. In a gentle manner, I caressed his chubby cheek.

“He is” I replied, my voice low. I looked back at Tubassum who wiped away her tears.

“You know I have come to a conclusion today” she looked at me. “I have another person to give my heart to” she looked at her baby. “Aaban can go to hell. He could rot and turn in a carcass” she looked at me. I had seen love in Tubassum’s eyes for Aaban but that day, I saw anger, hatred and resentment in her sparkling eyes that day. “He never valued my heart but I can see someone else who would value my love and affection no matter what happens. I do not care about the words people would say to me for being a single mother or for getting pregnant out of wedlock. All I care about now is him” she looked back at her baby. “The good life I want to give him, the love and the days I want to spend with him”

I smiled shifting my eyes to the baby in her hand. It happened. She had finally let go of her pain and love for a man who does not value it.

“You have done well Tubassum. I am proud of you” I placed a hand on her shoulder.

***

“You accepted to take over the company?” I screeched into the phone earning a look from Amir who was combing his hair.

“I did. I had no choice” Brother Yusuf answered over the phone as I took out a navy blue unstructured blazer from Amir’s wardrobe.

“I am impressed”

I was on phone with Brother Yusuf whom I had promised I will call the day before but forgot. He said he had something to tell me. The good news was he had accepted to take over dad’s pharmaceutical company. I was elated. It was something my family and I had been waiting to hear from him.

“What about your old job?”

“I resigned sis”

“I hope you are not having any challenges?” I removed my hand from the phone, pressing my ear and shoulder together to hold the phone.

“I am having few challenges. I do not know much about business so dad is being helpful” I heard the sound of a baby whining over the phone.

“Ma Sha Allah, how are my nephews and nieces” I strode to Amir handing him the blazer.

“They are fine, Alhamdulillah. They send their regards” there was smile in his voice.

“Ife!” Sister Amatullah shouted. I held in a chuckle knowing my brother will be ill at ease to be called that when I could hear. “Breakfast is ready!”

“Don’t say anything Noor” he said allowing my opened lips to hang in the air. I was just about to make fun of him.

“I was not going to say anything” I picked Amir’s cologne from my a table and gave it to him.

His charming eyes gave me a feeling that made me unsettled since they had been on me for a while. I mouthed what with a gesture of my hand. He nodded with the angles of his lips up.

“We shall talk later. I will leave before she snaps my neck” I laughed at his words.

“Alright then. Allah hafiz”

“Allah hafiz” the call got disconnected.

“Do I have something on my face Mr Hussein?”

“Looking at you is now a crime?” I peered my eyes at him. “Come on” he pulled my hand. “Don’t give me that look” he tapped my cheeks which caused me to let out a little laugh brushing his hands away.

“You don’t have a meeting today right?”

“No, why did you ask?” he threw his blazer over his wide shoulder. I turned to his back to help him with it.

“Because you said you wanted to go business causal. I will still like you in suit”

“It is not easy to suit up habibti. The tie is like wrapping a rope around your neck” I slid my hand to his side over his hard stomach and pressed my chest to his back.

“You did tell me you hated suit”

“Now I have said it” he laid a hand on mine.

“Just stay” My voice was low and pleading. I closed my eyes allowing the contented feeling and warmth I received from hugging him soaked my bones and took over my emotions.

“I will be late for work” he chuckled.

“Five minutes hm?” I muttered, my grip stronger. “What will you get me on your way back from work?”

“What do you want Hayati?”

“Anything nice” I unhooked my arms around him. “You should leave” he turned to look at me.

“I love you hm” he pressed his lips to my cheek.

“I know” My lips stretched into a wide smile.
“I really wonder why you don’t repeat I love you when I tell you since that night” a frown marred his face.

“I did Amir. That night we had a fight in your study, I said it” I flapped my eyelashes. He huffed grabbing his bag.

“You said that because you wanted to distract me from asking you further questions about the fertility test”

“And I failed” I pouted.

“Yes darling” he pulled my cheeks “I am off”

“I will see you to the door” I jumped grabbing a scarf and hopped to his side. “Take care. May Allah be with you, guide you and protect you” I moved my body holding the door.

“Ameen” I embraced him. By a quirk of fate, no one was in the hallway.

“Bye” I waved at him as he walked away.

“Amir” I heard a voice I recognized so well call as I was about closing the room door. My ears ticked and I peeped to see what was going to happen.

Shazia smiled stepping out of her room in a night dress that was cute. The dress was short with pink lace around its border. Stupid girl! I gritted, my fist clenching to my side. Amir stopped.

“Long time” she said in a voice that was so soft yet alluring.

God! I had used that voice on my husband a lot of times. Unhurriedly, she stepped out of her room with a flirtatious sweet smile. I could feel my head growing hot. Anger began to build up in me like a block getting higher every second. She is trying to seduce him! She would get married a day after tomorrow and here she was trying to seduce my man. I will kill her today!

“What do you want?” Amir’s voice was void of any emotion.

“Well” she twirled a strand of her glowing black hair around one of her fingers. “I just want to see you” she stepped closer.

“You have nothing to say” Amir hissed.

“Wait” Shazia grabbed his arm as he was about walking away. I will chop off those fingers today. “So much muscle for a handsome dude like you” she fluttered her eyelashes. Shazia, you just dug your own grave. My feet moved. “Why is your blazer not standing well? Your wife is really bad at dressing her husband” she lifted a hand to place on his chest but I was fast enough to grab it.

“You should know when a man does not want you” I threw her hand to the side stepping in between them. The smile on her face went into thin air. Her eyes turned cold and I was sure my angry expression mirrored her. She had a scorn on her face. Amir cleared his throat and I glared at him. “Stay away from my man!” I said every word one after another. “Next time I see that filthy hand of yours on him again” I pointed a warning finger at her. “I will chop off every finger you have” I hissed.

Hiding my annoyance in a happy look, I turned to look at Amir.

“Babe” I called in a tiny voice. “I need your help with choosing something to wear” My hand went around his arm. He gave me a look that asked what’s wrong with you.

“Of course” He took my hand. Together, we went back to our room.

“That rat!” I grinded out releasing Amir’s hand with the anger I had. “Why do you have to stop and listen to her nonsense” I turned abruptly, stopping him from walking further into the room.

“She called me and I thought she had something reasonable to say”

“Shazia has never spew reasonable words when she speaks to you. She was flirting with you!” I yelped.

“”Was she?” he asked with a dumb look.

“Yes! She was. That is the same thing I do when I want to flirt with you and I know the ways” his lips curved up. “What’s funny?” I eyed him with an angry look.

“You are jealous” his smile grew wider.

“Yes, I am jealous” I replied swivelling around. Frustrated, I sat down on the bed. “You have to promise me something” I stood up.

“What?”

“You have to promise me you will never talk to her, stop when she calls you or ever look at her”

“What a ridiculous thing?”

“Promise me Amir” I stepped closer to him and took his free hand.

“Hayati” he breathes out. “Okay, I promise” My lips broke into a smile.

“Now I am happy”

“For real?”

“Yes” I took his arm. “You shall be late for work. I am escorting you to the car because I don’t know what that cat will do again”

“You still have not gotten over it”

“Not yet” I replied leading him out.

Outside, his car was ready. We descended the staircase having small chats.

“I will miss you” I said when he wanted to enter his car.

“I will miss you too” he touched my cheek. “Don’t worry. I will give you a call like always” his fingers grazed the soft skin of my cheek.

I saw Shazia looking at us through the window of her room. Her room’s window looked out at the front of the manor. An idea popped into my mind. Maybe this will just tell her that she has no way of getting my man. She should search for her man somewhere else. Well, she has hers now only if she would be satisfied. Amir is mine.

“Then take care” I tipped to my toe and pecked his lips.

“You don’t do that outside” he mused.

“I just felt like it. Have a blessed day” I covered him with duas before he got into the car. I waved until his car disappeared. When his car was out of view, I felt the anger I had kept in gather and flow through my veins. Shazia, you are so dead. I grinded my teeth.

I snatched the silver sleek metal from the first drawer. I checked the magazine to see if it was filled with bullets. I smiled and a satisfied sigh left my lips. Spinning around, I slammed the magazine shut and stormed to Shazia’s room.

“Come in” her voice came through the door when I knocked. Skilfully hiding my gun with my skirt, I walked in then turned the lock.

“What are you doing here?” she huffed rising from the bed.

Due to the wedding preparations, Nani had said Shazia and her mother with her brother should stay in the manor until the wedding was over. It was the first time I was stepping foot into her room. Her room was big and an epitome of elegance. I marched to her.

“What can I do for you” she flipped her hair with a proud look.

My hand cracked across her face. The slap was as loud as a clap and it stung her face. It was an open handed slap that left behind red trails of my fingers. Below her eye was a cut inflicted by my ring. Shazia stumbled back, clutching her face with her eyes wide.

“Are you mad?” she shouted.

My hand connected with her other cheek again snapping her face back before sending her to her bed.

“You crazy bitch!” she scream wanting to get up. I pulled her by the hair and shoved her to the floor. She rose to fight back instead another slap sent her back to the floor. “What’s wrong with you?” she questioned. I saw the horror in her eyes together with fear. Her hair was a mess and she was sweaty all over. Blood trailed down her jaw from her bursted lip.

Without hesitation. I showed her my gun. Her eyes grew wider. With her lips trembling, it was obvious she was trying to find words as her eyes darted from my face to the gun. She moved back a bit and I stepped closer. She trembled.

“You and I have some scores to settle” I crouched close to her, pulled the slide then placed the nozzle of the gun on her forehead.

“What….wh…what are you doing?” she stammered looking at the gun.

“Teaching you a lesson and giving you a hard warning. Now listen carefully. Amir is mine and mine alone. No woman or bitches like you will find a way to him because I will always be an obstacle. You are just too forward Shazia. I am his wife and for no reason should you keep trying your luck with him. You will not get him. Now listen carefully” I pat her cheek.

Tears rushed into her scared eyes. I liked it which made me smile. She saw the evil glint in my eyes while she cringed to the gun and an angry me.

“Next time I see any part of you with him or you think about talking to him Shazia, you shall breathe your last. I will not hesitate to pull the trigger of this gun. Keep your filthy hands to yourself if you value them.” a tear rolled out of her eye. “Stay away from my man Shazia. Stay away!” I pressed the nozzle to her head.

“Please” she begged her voice broken, more crystal balls streamed down her face.

“What?”

“Please Noor, don’t kill me” I laughed out.

“Wow, you are begging? Just abide by my rule and you are safe” I stood up. “Say a word about this to anyone and you might just not see your wedding day” I removed the gun then sauntered out with a sassy attitude and pleased smile.

Please vote, comment and share. Thanks.