DECE-P-TION

DNVII

Iya mí walks back to the parlor sitting back on her seat. "A very beautiful and nice girl. I wonder why she looked at you?" She sighs, looking at me as I chuckle.

"Is everything okay? With the two of you I mean?" She asks. "It is, I upset her." She furrows her brows. "Already?"

"Long story, I am supposed to make it up to her." She nods. "You better, Falah. I don't want any stories or excuses."

"Worry not."

"You didn't mention her vitiligo, it's beautiful." I nod, remembering the first time I saw her when she opened the front door of Mr khaldoun's house. "Yeah." I agree as she walks in. She wears a silk pink A-shape dress with simple golden hoops on her ears.

"Magnificent, the place we've reserved for you two is quite far so this will be more comfortable for you on the way. I hope you like it." Alya smiles. "It's extraordinary, I love it."

Iya mí looking at all like she's going to swallow her whole. "Great, can you stand side by side to take a picture?" She takes her phone that was placed on the centre table. I stand beside Alya, giving her her personal space.

"You two aren't strangers, get closer to each other." Iya mí insists for a photo. We coke closer, feeling Alya's shoulder on my arm before using the arm to hold Alya. Her body tensed up but she stays for the photo.

She smiles as the flashlight flickers. I wonder what she has on her mind.

*********

"Falah Nadeem." I call out my name to the receptionist as she typed on her computer. After a few clicks, she raises her head with a brighter smile. "Good day, the manager will be here shortly." I nod, looking around at the reception which looks very elegant and oddly welcoming.

"Welcome to our hotel, Mr and Mrs Nadeem. Sorry for the inconvenience, I am Chadwick. Your luggages?" I turn to look at the man that is in possession of our luggages.

"Perfect, your luggage will be taken to your room. Everything is ready...". I turn to look beside me when I realize Alya has followed the man. I smile, walking while man speaks.

"The sauna, massage, yoga parlor, gym and all other activities has been scheduled as requested. I can give you a personal tour around the hotel if you prefer."

"No need, thank you."

"You're welcome." We get into the elevator as he pushes the button. "Were there any decorations for the honey moon?" He nods. "Yes, we were able...". I close my eyes for a second. "....very romantic, if it is not liked I can clean the place up."

I shake my head, the elevator rings. "We're fine. Which room is it?"

"417".

"Okay, thank you." I walk out of the elevator. "Have a good day sir." I wave my hand, saunting to the room. I knock on the door before going in. Alya stands by the window, looking at the view. She glances at me for a second then turned her head back to the window.

I take off my watch and place it on the chiffonnier. "What are you planning?" She asks while I focused on emptying my pockets. "Could you elaborate?"

"You forcing me to marry you, what do you hope to gain?" I glance at her standing with her arms crossed. "Nothing else other than a wife." She scoffs, shoving my hands deeper into my pockets. I raise my eyes to look at her. "You were to gain wealth and influence and you decide to give it all up, it seems a bit too good to be true."

"I married you for you. Your father is a good man and I can only believe his daughter is the same."

I explain, making her chuckle. "That might be one of the reasons but not the main reasons. I-". She stops abruptly. She shifts her eyes away then shifts it back to me. "Was it because of what I told you back in your office? Is that what made you do this?"

"That was more of an encouragement."

"Knowing my father, you must've come over and convinced him and luckily enough for you, you succeeded." She nods, wiping her left cheek with her hand. "Don't expect me to be lenient. I will do my best to make you regret ever marrying me." She glares at me with so much anger in her eyes before taking her bag and walking out of the room.

**********

11:47pm.

I drop my rubix cube on the chiffonnier, standing to my feet. It's late, she should be back from wherever she went to get some air by now. I shut the door, walking down the hall with my sweats.

I get to the receptionist after taking the elevator down. "Hello, have you seen my wife please? Maybe she passed by." I ask her. "Yes, she came to request for a different room."

"Okay, thank you."

"My pleasure." I walk back to my room. Regret marrying her, huh? Let's see.

Alya's point of view.

I sob into my pillow, hugging it tightly.

"You know you can come with us, baba is not one that you can stay with."

"I can't leave him, you know that. Even mummy would not want us to leave him alone."

"Alya! Stop acting like you're a toddler and open your eyes! When are you going to realize baba is selfish and cares about no one but himself. I said it and we all know it's true." Lateefa shouts while tears ran down her cheeks.

I whimper. "You can go. I'm not stopping you but I can't leave him. I will stay." Lateefa shakes her head before storming out of the room. I look back at Jaffar who sat in front of me with his head hung.

"Are you going too?" He raises his head, his eyes bloodshot red. "Yes, I can't stay with him. I don't want to even see his face, are you sure you want to stay back? Its not a good choice." He warns.

"It's baba, he'll soon turn against you and choose himself over you or rather, ruin your life. Don't be sentimental, think about yourself." Halima warns, crying.

"I'm staying." She burst out crying again. "Well, I'm leaving and I don't intend to have anything to do with him so if you stay behind, I don't have anything to do with you either."

"What? That's unnecessary!" I shout and she shrugs. My chin quivers, nodding. "I'm still staying." I stubbornly repeat. She takes her bag and jacket. "It was nice knowing you, Alya. You were my favorite sister." She kisses me on the head before leaving the room too.

Jaffar stands up. "You're really going?"

"Yes, you should come." I shake my head. "Stay with me, Jaffar. Please i don't want to be alone." He squats, placing his hands on my shoulders. "I can't stay but you can call me whenever you want to. I'll be there. Okay?"

I hug him, crying hardly. "Okay." I pull away, wiping my tears. "Maybe we shall meet someday." I say and he nods. "Someday, goodbye."

"Goodbye."

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