Meant To Be Yours!

Chapter XLV

Abdul's POV

I love hanging out with Natalia and Nathan. Seeing their smiles just makes me forget all the shit that keeps haunting our family. I love Nikki, god knows I do but why can't we get a fucking break. "Daddy your ring is sparkly", Nat says with a huge smile while pulling my hand to her face so that she could see properly. "Oh really? You want one too?", I teased. "Yes, but when I'm old enough and have my own house. Mama said the rings are only for grown-ups like you and her", she said making me smile. She was one clever girl and that was what made me enjoy her company. 

Nathan was another thing altogether, just give him cars and he will love you forever. I watch him as he was colouring the picture that the waitress gave him of a car, forgetting that we were even next to him. "Here's your breakfast, slice of chocolate cake, chicken sandwich and English breakfast for you sir", the waitress said. She placed the food on the table leaving me for last, of course, she had to flush her boobs on my face making me roll my eyes. The kids finished their breakfast in record time making me look at them with shock. 

"Daddy can we go to the playground please?", Natalia asked with puppy dog eyes. Nikki hates it when they overpower me but who can say no to this girl she was the cutest thing ever. "Ok just make sure Nathan behaves ok?", "Ok daddy", she replied then kissed me on the cheek making me smile. I watched as she helped her brother remove his shoes and place them next to hers before entering the playground. It was an indoor one, I figured that's why shoes were not allowed. "You have beautiful kids", the waitress said in a seductive voice. "You do see the ring on my finger right?", I asked annoyed. "So?", she said with a huge grin. "So, it means I'm not interested. Can you focus on cleaning the table and bringing me the bill before I tell your boss that you're harassing me?", I said calmly watching her grin disappear. 

We were on the way home when my phone rang and since I was driving I answered on Bluetooth without looking at the caller ID. "Hello Son", "Good afternoon Mother, how are you?", "I'm ok, I just haven't heard from you in a while, can you pass by? I need to talk to you", she asked in a nice way making me think for a while. I could leave the kids at Zahra's while I talk to her. I just hoped it was not about my wife again because I was so tired of hearing it. "This is not home daddy", Nathan said furrowing his brows, he reminded me of Nikki when he did that. "No, it's not. We're going to see aunt Zahra for a while", "Yeiii! We're going to see Abni", Natalia cheered making me laugh. "Just be careful when you're carrying him ok?", "I will daddy. I promise", she said with excitement making me even more worried. I had this feeling that she thought Abni was one of her dolls. 

"Hello Mother", I greeted her when I found her in the kitchen with Layla. She looked different. "Layla", I said unable to master more words for her. "Hello Abdul, come join us. Remember when we used to make samosas together before Eid?", she said with a huge smile. I washed my hands and joined them. "Yes mother, I used to eat all the minced meat and you would kick me out", I said making her laugh. I missed her laugh. It has been a while. 

"I hear you got married. Congratulations", Layla said and just like a light switch, mother's happy face disappeared. "Yes, I did. Thank you Layla", I said making sure to flash my ring to her side. She looked for a brief second her eyes shifting to mother as if telling her to proceed. "So Abdul, I called you here because I wanted to propose something. Please take it positively ok? It is coming from a good place I promise", I nod my head not looking at her as I continued folding the samosa in my hand. I knew this was going to be bad. "I want you to take Layla as your second wife", she said with a smile. I know being a Muslim it was ok for us to have more than one wife but that is something that I never thought of or even wanted. 

"Think about it, we will both get what we want. I'm willing to even welcome her into the family. Won't it be nice to have us under one roof? Think about it. I know it's a big ask but you can always sit on it and tell me", she continued spitting nonsense making me angry but she's my mother and I didn't want a repeat of what I saw on Nikki's face. I don't want to live in a world where my own mother is afraid of me. 

"Can we talk? Alone", I asked looking at her, trying my best not to give away how pissed off I really am. "Of course. Layla dear. Please give us a minute", Layla smiled and left like the good puppet she was. "Mother, where's this coming from? Did Layla's family promise you something in return for this union because I need to understand what's going on", "There is no such thing, I just believe that she is the right woman for you. Only a woman who truly loves you will endure such things as she is right now. The poor girl has stood by you for what? six? seven years now? if that is not an act of true love I don't know what is. Abdul this is my only wish", she said with a smile, her hand on my cheek. She hasn't done that in a while, although I missed her touch, what she was suggesting was something that I was never going to do. "Mother, I'll be willing to consider it if you tell me one thing. What did Nikki ever do to you to deserve such treatment from you?", I asked looking at her straight in the eyes. She pulled away quickly avoiding my eyes. "Mother, I need to know. Maybe when I do, I will be able to fix this. I will be able to fix us. I want to see you and her in a good place. Please, I don't want to choose", I begged. I was about to give up when she said in a voice above a whisper, "She took my son away from me".