Meant To Be Yours!

Chapter XLVII

Ever since Abdul took me out for dinner and told me about his mother's meltdown I haven't been able to get peace of mind. I've been in meetings since morning and I just finished the last one for the day. I know what my heart wants to do but my head is telling me it won't make a difference. I release a breath and I know I'm going to follow my heart anyway. "Hey, baby", "Hey wife. What's up?", "I'm gonna be late for dinner, I have some work I need to finish up", "Sure babes. I'll wait for you", he said then kissed me through the phone making me giggle and hang up. I closed my laptop, this was the craziest idea I've ever had but I'm going to run with it anyways.

"Good evening, I'm here to see Fatima", I told the guard who looked at me like I had grown two heads but he opened the gate anyways. I drove to the main house, my heart pounding out of my chest. I knocked on the door and waited patiently. I heard someone walking towards the entrance and there she was. Fatima in the flesh. 

"Good evening Fatima", I greeted her with a weak smile. "Hafeez is not back yet", she said, her face not showing any emotions which terrified me. "I came to see you. May I come in?", I asked looking for any signs of hostility but to my surprise there were none. She stepped aside and allowed me to walk in. She closed the door, then led me to the living room. I was trembling like a leaf at the moment that I had to hide my hands in my coat pockets. "Sit", she instructed making me drop on the sofa suddenly, giving her an awkward smile in the process. "Look... I know you've come to rub it on my face that you have managed to turn everyone against me", she said looking sad. "No... That is not why I'm here Fatima. Do you remember what you told me that day in the parking lot? About seeing things differently when I become a mother?", I asked my hands resting on my thighs. "I didn't say it that way", she said as if reliving the moment. "Fatima, I admire you. I always have. The way you managed to keep your family together is just amazing", she snorted, then rolled her eyes at me. 

"Fatima, the things you said that day still hurt and I don't know what I did to you but as a mother, I would like to be honest with you and tell you that I won't force my children to marry people that I want or force them to live close to me even if they don't want to. I would make sure that they love each other the same way Zahra is willing to do anything to maintain a relationship with Abdul even when he was pushing them away. In the same way, Inaya feels the need to protect you and always remain beside you, even when she doesn't agree with you. Hafeez adores you, he is amazing and the way he loves you is so inspiring that I want to have a relationship like that with your son. I get that I'm not enough for you and trust me, I have tried to please you and there is nothing that I want more than to see us in a happy place but for that to happen you need to give me a chance. I love Abdul and I know you do too so please. Give me one fair chance... please", I was begging at this point. 

She still had a blank face. She was quiet for the whole five minutes, I gave up, I said what I needed to say and it was still not something she was willing to grant me so I stood up, ready to leave. "I'm sorry", I heard her say just above a whisper. "What did you say?", I asked for the sake of my sanity. I turned and when our eyes met hers were watering. As if on instinct I walked to her, pulling her in for a hug. "I'm so sorry Nikki. I'm so sorry", that was all she said as she continued to sob on my shoulder. "I'm ashamed of myself. I just wanted to feel important again... I'm so sorry", she kept saying making me pull back to meet her swollen eyes. 

"Can we just start over?", I asked with a smile. "I would love nothing more", she replied. I felt like the weight on my shoulder was lifted and now I was light as a feather. "You will not regret this. I promise you that", I assured her pulling her in for a final hug. "I know my dear", she said with a smile that was so genuine it made my heart warm. My phone rang and when I took it out it was Abdul. "I have to go. Thank you, Fatima. Do you mind joining us for breakfast tomorrow?", I asked feeling nervous. It was too soon and I was worried but the moment her index finger lifted my chin I saw her face light up and a huge smile decorating it. I have never seen her smile this much when I was around. This was a good sign. 

"Yes, what time should I be there?", "Uh... Ten maybe. If that's ok with you", I asked still feeling nervous. "Ok, I'll be there. Thank you for coming Nikki", she said just when my phone started ringing again and this time she giggled and rolled her eyes. "He never had patience", she said making me laugh. "No he didn't", I replied walking out the door. I had a huge smile on my face and I felt like I just conquered the world.

"Where the fuck have you been? Why weren't answering your phone? I've been calling you like crazy... w-why are you smiling like that?", Abdul said while reducing his voice after seeing the expression on my face. He was fuming when I walked into the house and found him waiting for me with a drink in his hand. Yes, I did not pick up his call. I just wanted to enjoy the moment on my own and also invite everyone over for breakfast because I knew once I did that when I reached the house, I would be forced to tell Abdul everything. "Well if you must know, I'm very happy to see you act all protective husband on me", I tried to smooth my way in. My hands went straight to his neck pulling him in for a kiss that he accepted without a second thought.