HER HUSBAND [A STRANGER IN HER HEART]

Chapter Ten

Aadil's POV.
I knew well that Farha would miss me for the very first time she's spending the night alone and that was why I had to send Ablah home. Being the playful and jovial type, I'm sure she will keep Farha a good company.
The next morning, I made up my mind to summon Alma and tell her about Farha's behavior. Only she can help me talk some sense into Farha now. I can't report her to her mum nor ummiy, so Alma will be the best option. Alma came without hesitation and I was glad. I related everything to her without sparing Farha of everything she had done to me and she was shocked. "Farha didn't tell me anything about this. She behaves like everything is normal. The last time I visited, I was the one who advised her to send the cook and maids on leave, so she can take care of her home herself and that will make her husband's love for her strong" Alma said and I was surprised.

Me: Alma, I'm confused. The day we arrived at that house, she changed. She even raises her voice at me.
Alma: what?! She raises her voice at you?
Me: yes she completely changed and I don't know the reason behind her sudden change that's why I called you. I can't hold it anymore.
Alma: I'll have to go see her immediately and get some senses into that tiny head of hers. She must be joking. She can't possibly be doing all these.
Me: you can hold on a bit before going to see her cause it's still early now and Ablah is around. She loves Farha a lot and will be disappointed if she finds out.
Alma: Okay, I'll hold on a little. I'm really sorry Aadil on behalf of Farha's childish behavior. I'll make sure to convince her and she would stop all that she's doing. Please forgive her.
Me: it's nothing Alma. Farha is my wife. Why should I get upset at her. I'm only worried about her, cause she's indirectly hurting herself. I'll be glad if you are able to change her mind.
Alma: I promise to try my best Aadil. I'll take your leave now. Allah Hafiz.
Me: sure, Allah Hafiz.

With that, Alma left my office and I could see that she was really disappointed in her friend. I pray she succeeds in making Farha change.

Alma's POV.
I was really disappointed in Farha, hearing all those things Aadil had said about her. His words kept ringing in my ears and I  still didn't believe that my Farha would behave in such a way to her husband. Farha, raising her voice at her husband? Subhanallah! It's impossible.
I got to the Imran's mansion and pressed the door button. Farha opened the door and she was surprised to see me.

Me: salamualaykum
Farha: wa'alaykumsalam, Alma, you? and this morning visit?
Me: Yes Farha, me and as for the morning visit, it's because of you.
Farha: me?
Me: yes you. Oh you're surprised right? I was much more appalled as well when I learnt about how you behaved with your husband. In fact I was bewildered.
Farha: Alma what are you saying?
Me: would you at least, let me in and sit?
Farha: sure you can. Come in, but why this...
Me: you mean you have no idea what I'm talking about? You know you can't lie to me Farha. Tell me, is this how you  behave with your husband at the early stages of your marriage? Answer me Farha. Raising your voice at him? Sleeping in a separate room from his? Treating him like he's no human? And showing him that you don't love him by giving him what he does not like? Farha! Answer me now cause I need answers to all of my questions.

She was just there, silent and looking at me like I was speaking Spanish.

Me: Farha I am your friend and sister and you couldn't even tell all these to me? Aadil loves you and you behave like you hate him. Tell me, did you really get married to him?
Farha: Yes Alma, I did marry him, but I don't love him. Don't you understand, it was an arranged marriage, how do you expect me to love him? and as if that's not enough, he's even a Pakistani, someone different from me and my family.
Me: Then you shouldn't have agreed to this marriage in the first place instead of treating him this way. It's bad
Farha: Alma you talk as if you were not present when my parents told me that I have no other option but to get married to Aadil Imran.
Me: I understand Farha but you are aware that the reason is to bring your feet back to Islam.
Farha: if my parents had wanted that, they would have done it in another way different from this, but the reason is that they just wanted to get rid of me and Alhamdulillah Aadil is doing his duty. He got married to me because my mom wanted him to teach me religion, our marriage wasn't based on love so why should I love him. Please Alma, let me live with him according to the purpose he was sent to live with me.
Me: you're getting this wrong Farha, your parents never wanted to get rid of you and more so there are people out there who end up being very successful in arranged marriages. Both husband and wife get to know each other well and develop feelings for each other. And you can't deny this, that Aadil is making efforts to bring your marriage to a better form cause he has started to have feelings for you. He loves you so why not love him as well Farha?.
Farha: if he has started to love me, then it's not too late. He can keep his feelings to himself. I've made my decision already, I don't love him, I can't and nothing will ever make me to do.
Me: Time will tell whether you will be able to live without Aadil or not and Mark my words Farha when I say that you won't be able to stop yourself from loving Aadil when you finally get to heve feelings for him.
Farha: That's your say, Alma. I consider you a friend and a sister and I've always listened to you but I'm sorry, this time I won't be able to accept what you are telling me. I can't change my decision and I won't.
Me: Alright Farha, you can do as you wish but just know that it's your destiny to be with Aadil and you can't change it. Whether you like it or the other way round, you won't ever be able to live without his love.

With that I said my Salam and exited the house. I never anticipated that Farha would end up with such silly behaviors. She's my friend and I want the best for her. I pray that Allah guide her and keep her home. Who knows if Aadil was not the type that loves his wife, he would have left her and start to look for another girl on the streets, he just happen to be the faithful type.

Farha's POV.
I sat down in the living room away with my cell when the alarm clock rang.

"Ahhh I don't know why Aadil had to instruct Ablah to place an alarm clock in the house. It's not like I skip salaht Everytime. He just does what he feels is right" I thought to myself as I got up to observe salaht Zuhr after which I went to the kitchen to prepare myself a nice lunch. Aadil would only be back in the evening. He was meant to arrive in the morning but he had gone to visit his family.

I was busy cooking when I turned back to pick up a spice and found Aadil staring at me. "You?!" I shouted with a shocked look on my face. "When... did you arrive?" I asked with raised eyebrows and he just smiled."Not too long" he replied and I nodded

"And why did you choose to stand by the kitchen door? Why not go freshen up?" I asked and he let out a chuckle muttering,  "Farha it's bad that you've lost your manners because you don't love me. Alma told me a lot about you...." he started trying to move closer to me but I controlled myself not to snap at him.

"...but your behavior and attitude towards me make me doubt if all Alma had said was the truth. You've become a changed Farha Sagar" he continued and he was now very close to me and holding my shoulders. "Is this how you welcome your husband home?" he asked and then I realized and understood what he was driving at. I had really lost my manners.

"Umm I'm really sorry Aadil. Salamualaykum" I said and he let me go immediately. "Wa'alaykumsalam warahmatullah wabarakatuhu" he replied and I wondered why he had to say a full reply to my greetings. "It's more rewarding if you say the taslim in full" he said and I set my mouth agape.

Did he know what I thought about again now? I thought to myself and nodded in response to him.

"Now finish with what you're cooking, I'll go freshen up" he said and I nodded. "One more thing, you didn't ask how my work at the hospital went" he said again and left the kitchen leaving me speechless. "Did he really just reminded me of what I should have done as a wife?" I thought to myself and slapped my forehead at my foolishness. Here is the husband I wanted to be a dutiful wife to, teaching me my duties, what a life!

I finished cooking in no time and we were both at the table. The food was so small for both of us and I opted not to eat but Aadil disagreed. "You didn't inform me you were going to arrive early so I made lunch for myself. I'll just take snacks then" I said and he shook his head. "No matter how small the food might be, if we eat it together as one, I promise you we will be just as okay as when we ate our individual meal" he said and I was amazed.

"Now let's do this together, it will be filled with Allah's Barakah (blessings) and we will be full with the blessings instead of the food infact" he said and I was just speechless.

We ate silently and that moment made my love for Aadil grow more strong. He really worths being a husband and he's my blessing, my husband.

Heyyyyyy you beautiful readers, hope you are enjoying this book? I apologise for short pov's in this chapter, it won't happen next time. Salamualaykum, kayfaalukum? I'm sure you are bouncing and blooming. Keep enjoying this lovely book and don't forget to appreciate it by voting and commenting. It keeps me going. Thank you so much and lots of love from
_mohtieby_