FATIMA (YOU series #2)

Chapter 17

                       Some hearts understand each other even in silence.

- Unknown.

Fatima

I hesitantly pulled the car door open and got it. I trained my eyes on the floor. I didn't want to risk making eye contact. I was still embarrassed from earlier. Minutes into the drive, I was still staring at my feet. 

"Are you going to avoid looking at me the entire night? It's okay if I make you blush. It's only natural," he says. 

I scoff. He's so full of himself.

"I'm surprised your body can support your head," I retort, and he laughs.

He flexes his arm, "It's the muscles." 

I laugh loudly, "yes, the muscles." 

He frowns and looks away, "I don't appreciate the sarcasm."

"You look beautiful," he adds, still facing away from me.

"You look okay," I respond. 

I was lying. He looked better than okay. His appearance was enough to make any woman's breath hitch. The crisp blue kaftan complimented his warm brown eyes, and he smelt like a million bucks. But I wasn't going to tell him that. His head was already big enough. 

The rest of the ride was quiet. Not a single word more was uttered till we reached the venue. We awkwardly made our entrance and took our seats. The hall looked amazing. I couldn't imagine how much they had spent on this. 

Despite how beautiful it looked, I was eager to get it over with. Fortunately, I zoned out through most of it until I heard the MC announce that my cousin would give a speech. What cousin? I thought. I gave Ibrahim a perplexing look, and he returned the same expression. 

He was just as confused as I was. A grimace settled on my face as I watched Halima walk over to the stage. She shot me a smile as he collected the mic. Who let her do this?

She smiled at Ibrahim as she began the speech, "Wow, I can't believe my favourite cousin is getting married. Although, I guess it is hard to believe since it happened so quickly and out of the blue."

My face soured as she continued, "Fatima and I have had our ups and downs, but it's only normal in such a loving relationship. She has her flaws, many of them and she has also made many mistakes, but we shouldn't fault her for that. On the contrary, I say we embrace her flaws and all. It's a miracle how she bagged a husband like this. She has just proved the statement love is blind to be true. Anyway, Fatima, I hope our relationship doesn't change but only grows stronger. Congratulations."

She returned the mic and stepped off the stage as a few people clapped, and everyone else stayed frozen in confusion. A functioning brain could sense the bitterness and recognise backhanded compliments. 

I wasn't shocked. I knew what she was capable of. Ibrahim, on the other hand, looked irked by her little stunt. I giggled at his expression, and he turned to face me and raised a brow.

"If I don't laugh, I'll cry," I say to him, and his features soften. 

"I'll have her head," he responds casually.

I scoff, "again, with the extreme stuff."

He gives me a smile that reaches his eyes, "fine, I won't do anything drastic."

How does he say things like this so casually? Is this an army man thing? 

"But you're still going to do something?" I ask.