MARRED

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE -A WRAP

Here is the last chapter. Do have fun guys.

Ahmad

“If you continue to stare at me like that, I fear you will soon bore a hole in my face.” Amanah said, not looking up from her papers.

She had been on paperwork for hours. But it didn’t bother me at all. She was retaliating for my recent busy schedules and I was actually loving it.

“That’s exactly what I want. To bore a hole into your pretty face.”

“Cliché!” She scoffed, taking another sip of her favourite ginger drink and returning to her papers.

“How did I get so lucky?” I continued. I wasn’t flattering her, but she rolled her eyes and continue to see only her papers.

I sat up on the mat and crossed my legs, not ready to give up.

“My Amanah. The most amazing woman I have ever met. Coming out of every situation bigger and tougher. AlhamduliLlaah, Ya Rabb.”

It was true. She was the bravest woman I had ever known. Despite all she had been through, she was more compassionate, kinder, more generous, and certainly, stronger.

Though I sold the truth from where it was the most significant, my heart, she wasn’t buying any of it. It was this part of her that intrigued me the most.

I smiled. “You know, there are at least, a dozen ways I can think of a mutual utilization of this moment right?”

“And there are over dozen ways I can think of strangling you if you disturb me one more time.”

She was cuter when she feigned anger.

“For how long will I have to apologize for last week?” I asked, letting the flower out of the vase.

She was silent, scrunching her nose at something in her document. She didn't realize that every act of hers was cute you me. Even when she fake-ignored me.

“I mean, we both know that is the matter that has brought you biggest deal, yet.”

She ignored me still.

I picked up her glass and sipped from it.

She turned a warning glare to me. Yes. I forgot no one touched her precious ginger drinks.

“Amma….”

“Amanah, Amanah…” Sophia was walking towards us with a crying little Ayesha in her arms. Our three months old baby was named after Amanah's late mother.

In that instant, I knew my lone time with her was over. It was both an exciting and depressing realization.

Immediately, Amanah dropped her papers and her glasses and extended her arms to take crying Ummi.

“O, Assalaam’alaykum Cupcake. Did you miss Mummy?” She kissed the baby, nuzzling her nose against the baby's tiny one. What I would give to be Ayeesh in that moment.

The baby stopped crying and immediately, began to smile. So much like her mother. Attention driven. I bet she isn't even hungry.

“Assalam’alaykum Ahmad. Sorry for troubling you guys. Ummi was hungry.”

“Wa’alaykumussalaam Sophia. How are you today?” I replied, keeping my jealousy in check.

“AlhamduliLlaah. I came to say bye. I will be returning to school tomorrow, In Shaa Allah.”

“I see. Fee AmaniLlaah. I wish you the very best. This is now your final year, yes?”

“Yes. It is. Just a few months to go now, In Shaa Allah.”