NAJMA | Unedited

14. **filler chapter*

One week today that Najma didn't hear from Tariq and today is the day before Najma, Leila and their parents will go back to their country.

Numan is more than ever determined to make his parents accept Maryam and their kids and he is thinking on how to tell his wife and children that they'll now be living in Saoudi Arabia. "I've to tell them now !" He thinks but every time, there's something that comes up which will make him not to say a single word. Little did he know that Najma already knows and once she tells Leila, that'll be it.

Maryam on her side is sad and anxious. Sad because she's leaving her friend Shaima and for her daughter Najma who fell in love with the untouchable. Najma never told her that she loves Tariq but as the mother she is, she knows what's going in her children's minds.

Leila met someone in Saoudi Arabia but never told anyone about him. She's keeping him a secret because she's afraid of her parents' reactions. According to her, she has sinned but none knows what she actually has done. None but her and the mysterious guy that she's sad to leave but thank God they can chat on Snapchat.

Khadidja is in the kitchen, busy cooking for dinner but today is not like every night. Today, her in-laws along with Shaima and Sukaina will be joining the little family of four for dinner and thank God for her, Shaima asked Nancy and Jasmine to help her. Nancy is setting the table while Jasmine is helping her in the kitchen.

Suhail and Suhaila are playing hide and seek, enjoying the moment God has given them.

Iman's wedding has been postponed till further notice as she said she can't get married without Tariq's presence. They've literally grown up together so there's no way she can get married without the presence of the realest friend she has ever had. She's lucky enough to have someone as Malik who accepted her choice without questioning, he isn't losing anything as their Niqah has been done already.

Sukaina and Abdin have been hanging out almost everyday. Sukaina's feelings grow every five minutes and so are Abdin's feelings but none ever confessed. Abdin wants to do things the right way, tell her in the most romantic way then if by chance she accepts him, he'll talk to his parents then they'll go visit Sukaina's parents. Something is disturbing him though, Tariq once told him that his baby sister is too young now.

All cooked and set, Khadidja calls everyone to join her to the table. Everyone excluding Bashar and Mohamed who had gone God knows where for some business dinner. Shaima was slightly annoyed by that but nonetheless shrugged it off because during Numan family's visit, she had had her "family times" with the whole family including her workaholic of a husband.

"The food is delicious Didja darling" Shaima comments "I'd be coming here every night for dinner"

Thanking Shaima, Didja along with her sisters-in-law take the dishes to the kitchen, tidying the table. Moments of chitchatting between the ladies later and Zouhair watching CN with his kids, Maryam, Shaima, Leila, Najma and Sukaina bid goodbye to Zouhair and his charming wife.

At exactly ten, they reach the mansion and all get out, except for Leila who apparently had to go somewhere urgently. An eerie feeling filling Maryam's thoughts but nonetheless lets Leila go wherever she wishes so far as it's for decent activities. Little did she know about the outcome of trusting Leila at that very same moment.

Najma and Sukaina spent the whole night chattering and watching episodes of Friends even though Najma is not really a fan of that show. They fell asleep in the living room, their positions could tell exactly how tired they were. Jasmine came with duvets and covered the two friends who slept peacefully with soothing sounds in the background.

Around 3 in the morning, Mohamed, Bashar and Jamal walked in the house. The three fearing about their wives' reactions to them being this late.

"Why don't you go to your house?" Asks Bashar, addressing Jamal.

"Because unlike you, my wife has probably locked all doors and you don't want your brother sleeping outside, do you?" He slurs.

Rolling his eyes, Bashar tells goodnight to Mohammed and hurries to his room. He's too tired to argue with his brother anyways and it's not like it's the first time Jamal would spend the night here.

Mohammed walked through the living room where he met the girls sleeping, letting out light snores. He kissed both their foreheads before walking to his wife.

Maryam was wide awake the moment his foot touched the tiles of the room.

"...care to explain?"

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This is a very short chapter, I admit. I've had this writersblock :/ for this chapter ever since </3