KING OF THE NORTH

11:Pain 2

Oman sat at the breakfast table in the palace, surrounded by her husband Malik, his wife Safeeya, Hameedah, and Nafeesat. Hajiya and Kauthar were also present, but Oman only spoke to them. Safeeya tried her best to make conversation with Oman, but she seemed disinterested.

"So, Oman, how are you finding life in the palace so far?" Safeeya asked, attempting to break the awkward silence.

Oman simply nodded and took a sip of her tea. Safeeya tried again, "Do you miss your family back home?"

Oman looked up at her and shook her head. She didn't want to talk about her family or her life outside the palace. She felt uncomfortable around Safeeya and the other wives.

Malik noticed the tension at the table and spoke up, "Let's change the subject, shall we? Hajiya, how is your new business venture going?"

Hajiya smiled at the change of subject and began to talk about her business, but the tension still lingered in the air. Hameedah and Nafeesat were glaring at Oman, making her feel even more uncomfortable.

After a few more minutes of awkward small talk, Oman finished her breakfast and excused herself from the table. She made her way out of the palace and into the garden, where she could be alone with her thoughts.

Malik watched Oman leave with a heavy heart. He knew that his other wives didn't accept Oman, but he couldn't help how he felt about her. He wished they could all get along, but it seemed like an impossible task.

Safeeya sighed and looked at Hameedah and Nafeesat, "Why do you two have to be so cruel to Oman? She's done nothing wrong."

Hameedah and Nafeesat exchanged a look before Hameedah spoke up, "We don't trust her. She's an outsider and we don't know anything about her. We need to protect our family."

Safeeya shook her head, "That's not a good enough reason to treat her like this. We should be welcoming her into our family, not pushing her away."

Malik watched the conversation between his wives and felt a sense of pride towards Safeeya. He knew that she was a kind and compassionate person, and he was glad that she was standing up for Oman.

As the morning went on, Malik couldn't help but think about Oman and how he could make her feel more welcome in the palace. He knew that it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to try.

*~*

Oman sat in the library, engrossed in a novel. This was the only place in the palace where she found peace, away from the prying eyes of her husband and his other wives. However, her peace was soon interrupted when Malik walked in.

She immediately tensed up and intended to take her leave, not wanting to breathe the same air as him. But Malik was quick to grab her arm to stop her from leaving.

"Oman, please. We need to talk," he said, his voice pleading.

Oman pulled her arm away and glared at him. "I have nothing to say to you. Leave me alone."

Malik looked at her with sadness in his eyes. "Oman, I know you're upset with me for making you move into the palace, but please try to understand. It was for the good of our family."

"I don't care about your family," Oman spat out. "All I care about is my own happiness, which you have taken away from me."

Malik sighed and took a step closer to her, trying to reason with her. But before he could say anything else, Oman raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

The sound of the slap echoed through the library, and Nafeesat and Hameedah who seemed to be passing by heard what was going on.

"Did you hear that? Oman just slapped Malik!" Hameedah exclaimed, a malicious gleam in her eyes.

Nafeesat nodded eagerly. "Yes, I heard it. They're definitely against each other."

Malik, on the other hand, felt a deep sense of sadness wash over him. He couldn't believe that Oman would stoop so low as to hit him. He knew that their relationship was strained, but he had hoped that they could work things out.

Oman was overwhelmed with emotion after slapping Malik in the library. She knew she had acted impulsively and out of anger, and now regretted her actions deeply. She couldn't bear the thought of facing him again, and so she ran to Kauthar's room to seek solace.

Kauthar looked up from her book as Oman burst into her room, tears streaming down her face. "Oman, what happened?" she asked, concerned.

Oman collapsed onto Kauthar's bed, sobbing uncontrollably. "I...I slapped Malik," she managed to say between sobs. "I don't know what came over me. I regret it so much."

Kauthar put down her book and went over to sit next to Oman. She put an arm around her friend's shoulders, trying to comfort her. "It's okay, Oman. We all make mistakes. I'm sure Malik will forgive you."

Oman shook her head, her tears still flowing. "I don't think he will. He looked so sad when I left the library. I feel like I've ruined everything."

Kauthar rubbed Oman's back soothingly. "Listen, Oman. You need to apologize to him. Let him know how sorry you are. I'm sure he'll understand."

Oman wiped her tears and looked up at Kauthar. "You think so?"

Kauthar nodded. "I know so. Malik loves you, Oman. He just wants to make things right between you. And I'm sure he'll appreciate your apology."

Oman nodded completely ignoring the utterance of the word love, taking Kauthar's words to heart. She got up from the bed and wiped her tears away. "You're right. I need to apologize to him."

Kauthar smiled at her friend. "I'll come with you. We'll talk to him together."

Oman smiled back, grateful for Kauthar's support. Together, they left the room, determined to make things right with Malik.

Oman and Kauthar made their way to Malik's room, both feeling nervous about what was to come. Oman's heart was pounding in her chest, and she was wringing her hands nervously. Kauthar gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand before knocking on the door.

There was a moment of silence before they heard footsteps approaching. The door opened, and Malik stood before them. His face was cold and impassive as he glared at Kauthar. "What are you doing here, Kauthar?" he spat, his voice dripping with venom.

Kauthar flinched, taken aback by his harsh words. "I came to support Oman. We're both here to apologize," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

Malik's eyes flickered over to Oman, and Oman could feel his intense gaze on her. He stepped forward and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her close to him. "I don't need her here," he growled, his lips inches away from Oman's. "I only need you." Kauthar took that as a cue and walked away.

Oman's breath caught in her throat as Malik's lips crashed onto hers, their mouths melding together in a heated kiss. She felt his arms wrap tightly around her, pulling her closer to him as he deepened the kiss. She could feel his love for her radiating off of him, and she felt a spark of desire ignite within her.

As they broke apart, Oman felt dizzy with desire and emotion. She looked up at Malik, and their eyes locked in a passionate gaze. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Malik's face softened, and he leaned down to kiss her once more, this time more tenderly. "I forgive you," he murmured against her lips.

Oman felt tears welling up in her eyes as she leaned into Malik's embrace, feeling safe and loved. "I love you," she whispered, feeling grateful for his forgiveness and his love.