Accepting You

Chapter Thirty Six

Yusuf twisted his key into the front door and pushed it open.

It was finally Friday.

8:45 pm.

"Asalamu alaykum," Yusuf called out loudly.

He waited, expecting Asiya's usual high-pitched response to welcome him, but he was hugged by a deafening silence.

The lights were off, so Yusuf crept through the flat in case Asiya was sleeping.

However, the spot Asiya liked to snuggle into was empty, and her favourite blanket was hanging on the edge of the sofa. Yusuf walked through the 750-square-foot flat. Asiya wasn't in their bedroom or bathroom.

Yusuf tapped the moon shaped button on his phone and clicked on Asiya's contact. A stream of messages appeared on his screen.

Asiya <3 15:30 pm: Yusuf, I'm going to Liv's place for dinner.

Asiya <3 16:45 pm: I've made you something. It's in the oven.

Asiya <3 16:55 pm: I'll text you once I'm there.

17:05 Missed Call from Asiya <3

17:06 Asiya <3 Shared Her Location.

18:06 Asiya <3 Stopped Sharing Her Location.

Yusuf opened the oven and unwrapped the plate of food Asiya had made for him.

He didn't know how to react or whether he had a right to. Asiya hadn't asked or spoken to him about going to Olivia's before she had decided to go. 

Yusuf wouldn't have stopped her from going, but he would've liked for his opinion to have been considered.

After Yusuf had chewed on his feelings and prayed, he sat rigidly on the edge of the sofa as though he would stain it.

He fiddled with his phone, not knowing what to do with himself. The flat felt strange and hollow without Asiya's voice. Her absence had created a void, and the silence was making Yusuf feel uncomfortable. He needed something to overpower it, so Yusuf called his mum.

"Asalamu alaykum, beta. I was starting to think that you had forgotten about me." His mum's voice rang into his ears.

"Wa alaykum salam mum. I could never forget about you," Yusuf said.

"I know, beta, and irregular calls means you're having fun with your wife, so I'll forgive you!" Hannah said.

"How are you? How's Asiya?" his mum asked.

"Alhamdulillah, I'm good. I got back from work about an hour ago. Asiya is doing well, too," Yusuf replied.

"Good, good. Can I say salam to her?"

"Erm," Yusuf's stutters bounced off the walls. "Asiya's not here right now. She popped out to get something quickly."

Yusuf had lied about Asiya's whereabouts to protect her reputation. His mum's tongue could be loose when she didn't staple it down, and she was almost always at his aunt's place.

Yusuf knew how some family members discussed and branded women who did things they deemed improper. 

They would trample and taint the person's reputation with their tongues, and Yusuf didn't want Asiya to become the subject of his aunt's next gossip session. If she already wasn't.

"Yusuf! Why would you let your wife go outside at this time by herself? London is dangerous, and the jinns will be out! You're her husband. You're meant to protect her! What if something happens to her?"