MARRIED TO AN EXTREMIST

| Things don't always go as planned |

I run downstairs, the sun rays stinging my eyes. I hear soft footsteps from behind me. "Where are you going this early? It's 7am". I take the car keys from the small tray on the console before turning to look at her pulling her robe and crossing her arms.

"I need to make sure of something, I'll back Insha Allah." I say forcing a smile but it doesn't seem like she buys it. "Where are you going, fayadth? I'm worried, you've been acting strange since yesterday. Please tell me." I cup her cheeks, looking into her eyes.

"I'm fine, I'll be back Insha Allah." I lightly kiss her when she holds my wrists with her hands. "Just be careful."

I nod then hugged her. She pats-me on the back before I pulled away and rushed out. For his sake, he shouldn't dare touch her. I enter the car, honking so the gateman could open the gate.

***********

I hurriedly walk into anya's quarters when I see maryam leaning on the wall with her eyes closed. "Maryam? What's wrong?" I ask as she snaps her head at me, immediately standing well.

"N-nothing, what are you doing here this early?" She stammers, crossing her arms. "To see Anya, where is she?"

"She's sleeping, as usual." She tries to compose herself even though she's nervous. "She's in her room then."

"Yeah but you know how she is with her sleep. You shouldn't intrude." I walk to the door after she warns. "Ya fayadth, you shouldn't go in. She has a migraine, at least, as of fajr."

"I'll check on her." I open the door, walking in. "Ya fayadth!" I enter her bedroom's living room then knocked on the door. "Come in." I walk in, laying my eyes on her face. "Mary...". She stops when she see me then immediately turns her head. I freeze where I stood, my hand still on the door knob.

"Fayadth! Get out!". Anya shouts covering her face as I slowly walk towards her. "Don't come any closer." Anya warns but I continue. "Ya fayadth, please don't".

I stand beside Anya while she cowers her face away. "Did he hurt you?" 

"Fayadth, stay back!"

Anya's point of view.

Flashback.

I step back slowly as Laziz walks closer and closer to me. "Stop this, Laziz!" I hit the wall while he folds his shirtsleeves. "Then why do you infuriate me every time?! Huh?!" He grits his teeth before slapping hard on the cheek which made me fall to the ground as I grunt in pain. I place my hand on my cheek, my eyes welling up with tears.

"Stand up and talk, you like doing that. Stand up!" Laziz, Fayadth's father, shouts. I will not sit on the floor till he picks me up just to hit me again and fall. I prefer to stand and get knocked down.

I stand up, scoffing. I will not give him the pleasure of me cowering. "Get on with it, you coward. Beating women but when it comes to real men, you run. Hit me. It might make you feel more like a man!"

He clenched his jaw and fist before swinging it at me but I luckily dodge it which made me hit my head. I slide down the wall still stunned that he wanted to punch me so hard with his fist. At me?

I look up at his angry face and his arms with popped veins. Is he the same man I fell in love with? The same man I bore his children for? The man who cared for me.

"Don't show fear now, you'll pay it with your body." He reminds as tears roll down my cheeks. Why didn't I see it sooner?

I close my eyes, preparing myself for whatever the pain, I guess it's my punishment for a poor choice.