The Business Trip Part 2

The Proposition

"No you are not" she cried.

"It's either that or I will file for custody once the baby is born, the choice is yours" he replied.

"So either ways, I lose?" she retorted.

Hurt by her reply, "would it be that unthinkable to live with me, Hayat?" he sadly starts the engine and lets her dwell over her words that cut through him. If only he had any idea what was going thru Hayat's head, all that Hayat could think of was how she would be able to bear the proximity, how will she survive being so close to him and not be able to touch or feel him? Oh Lord, it would have been easier had he just stayed back in New York, she sighed.

"And what will you achieve by doing that?"she quipped

"I'll be close to my baby, I'll be able to feel and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy, and most importantly I'll be there to care for and protect you".

"Ha! " she lets out a sarcastic laugh , "The only protection I need is from you and your whimsical behaviors"

They drive in silence for a while Hayat contemplating the non existent options she is left with, she resigns herself to living with Murat for the rest of the pregnancy. It's just a matter of a few months, she mulls.

They arrive at their house, Murat asks her if she would like to come in while he packed his bags, afraid that she may go weak, she refuses and decides to wait in the car. " Suit yourself, I may be a while as I want to take a quick shower too" Reluctantly, she walks in behind him and sits down on her favorite chair while he noisily goes about gathering the things he needs, he quickly checks his messages and mail, and sees several missed calls from Emir Kayas office. " Hayat, I have to make this call" he mentions, meanwhile Hayat tries to suppress the tears that threaten to fall, as memories come flooding back. Hayat simply nods her head not trusting her voice and pretends to look away while Murat dials New York, it was 7 in the evening in Istanbul, which would mean 11 in the morning in New York, the office should be open. A secretary picks up the phone, while he is waiting to be connected to Emir, Hayats eyes fall on their picture on the side table, transporting her to happier times when this house echoed with their laughter, it was a picture of them taken on this very chair, she was sprawled on Murat wearing a beautiful two piece yellow sundress, her midriff bare and his hand encircling it, his lips caressing her ear, a picture that had captured the essence of their love for each other. A picture that spoke a thousand words, a picture that showcased the love and intimacy that they shared. While on call hold, Murat glances at her and catches her dreamily staring at the frame, at once he is flooded with the memory of that day, they had spent all morning setting the house and were ready to go out for lunch to their favorite place, but Hayat was so tired that she wouldn't get up from her comfortable position on his lap, which prompts him to get busy nuzzling her neck, and that very instant Hayat clicks the selfie from her phone. There was no way he was letting her out of his life. That beautiful, sexy, pig headed wife of his. No way!!!

"Yes Emir, I'm not deserting you, I have been embroiled in some personal problems and will start production on the new line within a week" she couldn't help listening in on his conversation. As they discuss the details, Hayat realises that she has no clue what is going on in Murats professional life, she also hears her tummy growl and realises that after a long time she had the desire to eat some food. Murat takes another hour to shower and pack his things, deliberately buying time to let Hayat rethink her decision but Hayat seemed to have made up her mind and they head back to the car, "Really, Murat, you don't have to do this, why don't you just stay back here and be comfortable and I will keep you updated on my pregnancy. I promise." she begs. "No, not unless you stay back here, I'm not leaving you Hayat, it's quite clear that you are in no condition to take care of yourself or the baby, you are clearly overworked and stressed out." he countered.

"Thanks for remembering about my existence, clearly you had forgotten about it, this last month, Thanks but no thanks, I'm not staying, not now, not ever!" she says flatly. "That chapter is closed".