Our Memories Together 2

0.4

FLASHBACK TO AFTER THEIR WEDDING

Hadiyeh and JJ had gone to Mykonos and Saeedeh was left with the duty of taking care of the boys until their flight later in the evening.

She had become both a tour guide and babysitter. Who knew looking over a bunch of grown-ass men would be so much hassle. Ethan and Harry were absolute nightmares, Vik, Tobi and Josh however tried to help Saeedeh out, by not acting like little children. She and Tobi had grown closer, not like that, but so much so that they had exchanged numbers and would consider each other friends. 

Saeedeh had quickly caught feelings seeing as Adam was a duche-bag and refused to make things official, Saeedeh had completely blocked him out of her life. She had moved to London in an apartment on campus with her friends and like how most university students are they didn't spend much time studying at all. She and Tobi often went out for coffee with each other and even spent nights together, of course, Tobi hadn't tried to make moves on Saeedeh but it was evident that the two had a liking for each other. They had tried their best to keep things under the radar seeing as Hadiyeh was very overprotective of her sister, not even that, she was protective of all her family.

~~~

FLASHFORWARD TO NOW

"Your family are coming to see you, not me," Hadiyeh tried to excuse herself, pulling every excuse she could out of the bag wanting to leave the situation. Since Deji got kicked out of the Sidemen house JJ and his family have been on bad terms with each other. Until two days ago when JJ got a text from his mother insisting that they want to come over for dinner wanting to fix things. 

"So you're just going to leave me?" JJ gave her his puppy eyes knowing damn well that those eyes could make any person weak to the knees.

"No," She sighed, holding his arms, "I want you to figure things out with your family and you know that they don't like me, I'm just trying to make things easier for you," 

"Well if they don't like you they can get the fuck out of my house because it's our house and anyone who insults my wife is not welcome," He stood his ground

"Okay," She breathed out, she'd stay tonight. She'll put on her mask of happiness and remind herself that 'A guest is a friend of God's' something that Amira had drilled into her head since they were children. So his family were welcome to her house for as long as they wanted to stay, she just hoped that his parents would refrain from making any comments about her personal life.

"Hads?" 

"Hm?" She hummed, busying herself by helping their chef set the table.

"Thank you," He whispered, hugging her from behind, pressing a kiss to her neck. She smiled, letting herself be embraced by his massive arms. 

"Don't thank me, thank god," 

"Alhamdulillah for the beautiful wife that I have been blessed with," He grinned spinning her around, making her laugh loudly.

*ding* *dong*

"Shit." JJ cursed, putting her down, "Do I look okay?" 

"Very," She replied fixing the collar of his button-up shirt.

He placed a smile on his face and went to open the door, Hadiyeh helped put the last finishing touches on the table before moving to greet his family, politely.

"Hello, nice to see you again," Hadiyeh smiled, shaking hands with each member of the family. 

"Likewise," JJ's father responded, Yinka cleared her throat pushing past them to take a look at their apartment.

"You moved into a new house, bro?" Deji looked around.

"Yeah, only a few days ago actually," 

"So, things might still be a bit out of place," Hadiyeh spoke apologetically, she didn't feel apologetic at all.

"Who designed it?" 

"Hads did," JJ replied proudly.

"Mm, should have guessed," Yinka looked at their living room with pity, "Wouldn't have expected anything better from a gold-digger," 

"Honey," Jide whispered quietly putting a hand to Yinka's waist.

She said the words so quietly that Hadiyeh pretended not to hear, if that woman was anyone else Hadiyeh would have put that woman's head through a wall. Instead, Hadiyeh gave her a forced smile and spoke in a gentle and formal tone. "Dinner?" 

"Yeah, I'm starving," Deji grinned.

They sat themselves down at the table and Yinka turned her nose up at the food laced in front of her.  "Do you not know how to cook, darling, I thought the least a woman should be able to do is cook for her husband," 

"Yes, I but with both of us working, there wouldn't be much time for me to spend in the kitchen, Ainsley is a blessing to have in the kitchen," Hadiyeh sent Ainsley a small smile. 

"What is it you do besides youtube?" 

"I have my clothing and make-up brand," Hadiyeh replies politely.

"Nice," Jide nods. 

Hadiyeh had noticed that JJ's leg under the table had been bouncing, he's nervous, she thought to herself, she put her fork down and put her hand on his thigh, calming his nerves almost instantly.

"What do your parents do?" 

"My mother is a dentist and my father is a businessman," She replied.

"They live in the UAE," JJ informs them.

"So they do not live here?" 

"No, unfortunately not," Hadiyeh offers them the saddest smile she could muster.

That dinner went down their throats like sandpaper. Hadiyeh was sure that if they had opted for cardboard boxes it wouldn't have made a difference.

"Wine?" JJ offers to his parents turning to Ainsley. 

"I thought your people don't drink alcohol," Yinka turned to Hadiyeh with a pointed look.

"No, we Muslims do not drink alcohol, but you are welcome to drink, Ainsley if you would," 

"Since when do you not drink?" Deji had noticed that JJ had continued sipping on his water.

"No reason, I'm going sober this year," JJ shrugged, he had stopped drinking alcohol, not completely, he did like his shots and beverages on special occasions but had decided to quit drinking around his wife.

"You've changed," Yinka glared a Hadiyeh over her wine glass.

"Not all change is a bad change," JJ defended himself.

"Hm," She hummed, as though acknowledging his words.

Written: 27/08/2021

Published: 02/09/2021