MARRIED TO AN EXTREMIST

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Afeeya's point of view.

I pull the duvet to my shoulders, leaning on the headboard while I watch.

I glance at Fayadth who's sitting, looking at the qiblah with his hands raised to his face.

What is he praying for?

He keep his hands down, turning to the TV. "What are you watching?"

"Animé, I'm trying it out. Join me." He criss crosses his legs. "Animé? I don't enjoy it." He takes off his white laced cap.

"Come on, I'm trying it out too." He sighs, standing up. "I would love to but I have to go work out some files."

He slides his rosary into his pocket. "Okay."

"Don't stay up too late."

"You too, don't overwork yourself."

"Yes, ma." He walks out, I smile like a dufus. I take my phone calling Kameelah.

"Hello?"

"Is this afeeya?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you disturbing me this night?"

"I missed you so I am calling to check up on you." I pause the animé.

"Where's Fayadth?"

"He went to the home office to work."

"No wonder you called."

"You say that like I never called or have forgotten about you."

"I never said that...so what's the latest?"

"Nothing really, I want to ask when you're coming."

She sighs. "I don't know, I'll ask and see what I can do. Oh..I'll call you later. I need to answer this phone call, bye."

She hangs up, ditching me. I'm so bored and ghazim isn't here for me to tease. Hassana is no longer in the picture.

I bite my index finger, thinking. Fayadth it is. I jump out of bed, walking to his office. I look up, locking eyes with Hassana.

I manage to smile at her. "You've been distant." Hassana points out, acting innocently.

I turn to look at her. "I have things to do and I'm not talkative now." I didn't wait for her answer, open the office door. "Goodnight." I shut the door, letting out a sigh.

I turn to Fayadth whose eyes are glued to the table. I stand beside him. "You should sleep, its late already."

He places the pen on his lips like he's in deep thought. "I'll be there, go ahead."

I glance at the papers and a few folders stacked into a pile. "Okay, goodnight." I lean to his face, kissing him.

I pull away. "I'll be waiting." He nods as he scribbled something down. "I'll be there."

I leave the office for my bed, pulling it to cover me. I close my eyes, letting the darkness consume me.

Hassana's point of view.

I knock on the door, waiting for him to answer. "Come in." I slowly push the door open, shutting it.

I walk to the seats, taking one. "Hassana, you're still awake I see." I smile weakly. "Yeah."

He continues circling, writing and reading. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

I sit up, clasping my hands before looking down to avoid judgement. "I do have something to confess even though I feel ashamed to."

I hear him drop his pen. "What's bothering you?"

"Ya Fayadth, I have feelings for a married man." I confess, hearing nothing else. "I cared for him since before he married but I was unable to marry him."

I rub my hands, slowly. "He's married and I still care for him deeply. I don't care whether I'm his second wife or not, I just want to be by his side."

I raise my head, locking my eyes with him. He weakly smiles, putting his arm that was on the table.

"Having feelings for someone is not a crime, even for someone that's married so don't beat yourself about it." He keeps his pen.

"Back to the matter at hand, you should talk to the man you're in love with. You're both adults and can resolve it quickly and of course, maturely. If he agrees, jubilate but if he turns you down, you have to move on. It might not be easy but at least you know where you stand and pick yourself up."

"Do you love me?" I spat, gaining a weak smile from him. "I love you as a sister, Hassana. Just like how I feel for my sisters."

It's like my heart has been ripped out of my chest. I hang my head, regretting how I asked.

What was I thinking?

"I hope this doesn't strain our relationship." I nod. "Of course not, I think its best I go to bed."

I stand up, walking tot the door. "Goodnight." I hear him say faintly. "Goodnight." I shut the door, standing to realise how I was rejected.

My eyes stings before tears rolls down my cheek. I enter my room and locked it. I sit on the chair, sobbing weakly.

So, everything was a waste of time. I stayed watching this fiasco for nothing. I should have told him my feelings before he got married.

I wipe my eyes, I can't stay here then. I take my luggage, shoving my clothes in.

********

I walk to they kitchen hearing clattering sounds followed by a shatter. I push the door, sighting afeeya picking up the pieces with her bare hands.

"What are you doing?" I rush to her side, stopping her. She looks at me with a cold annoyed glare.

"You know you're going to cut yourself, right?" We stand up in sync. "Do you really care?"

"Huh?"

She let's out a big sigh, rubbing her eyes before she drops them to her sides. "I have been acting to keep it peaceful but it's been eating off me."

I wait for her to get to her point. "I know you are in love with Fayadth and I overheard you that day painting me as the bad guy in front of him. What wrong have I done from being nice?"

I sit on the chair beside me. "Honestly, nothing. Its not about you, afeeya. I always had feelings for Fayadth, years before anya knew of your existence."

My eyes fixated on the fruit basket. "It started as a minor childish crush but in time, I realized that isn't the case. I tried my best to be the wife he wanted, as you can see, it never happened. I knew i was not in the right but I didn't care."

I raise my eyes to look at her judging stare. "You don't have to worry about me though. Fayadth told me he see me as a sister." I sigh, my eyes starting to sting.

"I have already packed my things, ready to leave. I'm here to tell you because I can't face Fayadth now. I'm sorry for the inconveniences and I hope you can forgive me for taking advantage of your hospitality."

Her facial expression has turned softer, like pity. I walk out of the kitchen, feeing her stare on my back. I take my luggage and exited the premises.

A Honda accord parked at the gate with a man, standing at the open trunk. He stands straight immediately he sees me then walks to me and takes the bags from me.

"Thank you."

"No problem." He puts the luggage inside as I get in the car, closing the door. The driver enters the car, putting on his seatbelt.

"To 128 layatten road, right?" He turns on the car. "Yes." He drives away while I look at the gate.

I won't be like my mother, I won't live a miserable life after snatching someone's husband. I rather wait patiently with my dignity.

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