DECE-P-TION

DXV

Iya mí's point of view.

My heels hit the wooden floor as it echos, tinkling in my ear. I stop before turning to look at the man who stood waiting for an answer from me. "The wood has to go, all of it or you'll be stuck in the past." I warn, noticing how small the windows are.

"We'll have to knock down the windows and make it bigger, wider, longer. Are you going for minimalist modern decor, modern, California or royal?" He stays silent for a while. "I'll prefer royal, simple. Green with a touch of gold and white. I believe you understand where the white will be."

"Yes." I answer shocked by how he is. "I presume I'll be getting a 3D preview."

"Ofcourse, that's included." He nods, holding his arm behind his back before walking out of the house through the front door. I shake my head,letting out a heavy sigh of seeing the sight of the children of nowadays.

I take a final look of the house then leave for my house. I was welcomed with boxes of presents immediately I open the door. I take a note from the first hand I placed on.

"Happy married life to our son. The way these kids are growing up so fast, it's shocking. I-".

I keep the card, walking to the kitchen. I push the door open to see Nadeem sitting with a plate of sandwich in front of him. He turns to look at me with his glasses rested on his nose bridge. "You're back, how's the house?"

He continues reading the newspaper. "Fine, it's owned by a man around Falah's age. It made me miss my son." I pull the plate of sandwich to myself so I can take a bite when I see how poorly it's made. I raise my eyes to see him looking at me. "Let's hope it tastes better than it looks."
My statement makes him smile before a take a bite.

I can feel myself gaining weight with the amount of cheese and meat in there. I place the sandwich back on the plate and slid it to him. "Thank you." I wipe the corners of my mouth.

"You're very much welcome, when are the kids coming back?"

"Tomorrow." I open the fridge, taking my beetroot drink. I take the glass cup as I pour the drink in the cup. "Do you think their relationship will improve?" I stop to look at Nadeem. "I'm scared, what if they doesn't work out? She obviously didn't love him." Nadeem takes a bite of his sandwich, shrugging his shoulders.

"If it was our time, I'd say yes but now, the children of nowadays, I'm not sure but I believe my son will make her come around. I believe I raised a gentleman."

"He forced her to marry him, that not an act of a gentleman. He's my son but it's the truth. I wouldn't if I was her." Nadeem pauses to look at me. "Let's be optimistic for once."

I sigh, shaking the cup as the liquid moves rhythmically. "I want to be." I mutter, letting out a sigh. "Don't talk to him about it and continue to feign ignorance, when he needs us, he'll speak. Even if he doesn't and we see it's getting worse, we'll intervene. Give him space."

"Okay but I give him space. I don't smother him." He pushes his lips to a thin line, folding his newspaper. "Maybe a little. For an only child, I don't."

"I have to give you that, you don't." He admits, standing on his feet and pushing the chair back to its place. The chair lightly scrapes the floor before he leaves the kitchen.

Hopefully this wedding has brought them closer. It's better to force a woman into a marriage than a man. A woman can succumb in time but a man, rarely. I'm hoping she sees the true Falah and falls for him.

Sultana's point of view.

I sit, taking sips of my cocktail while I look at how zulaika is beaming. "Someone's excited." I state making her look at me. "I am. I'm having a lot of emotions right now." She shrugs, smiling as I notice Alya taking a seat. The oversized flats she's wearing seems like Falah's. Cute.

"You're saying that to me? Look at how Alya is absent minded here, she's thinking about her husband and I believe even if you do every thing she hates, she'll still keep that smile she has on her face." Zulaika points out as the people in the conversation turn to look at Alya who's flustered. "No, I'm not absent minded. I'm just....".

She trails off, slightly biting her lips. "Thinking about when you get back to your room?" Dahlia finishes the sentence and they chuckle. Alya rolls her eyes,taking a deep breath.

"I don't think I can convince you otherwise." Alya chuckles, crossing her legs. "Maybe you have a few things to say that might help her since you're the most experienced here." Kehinde suggests as zulaika leans forward in interest. "I agree." Zulaika raises her hand in support of kehinde's suggestion.

"I agree." I follow, gaining Alya's attention. "But Hafsa has been married for almost ten years now."

"He's not like them Seyi, Falah, yakub and so on. They are a different species." Kehinde bluntly stated not caring of Hafsa's feelings. "Almost ten years? Congratulations." Alya says to Hafsa with a warm smile.

"Thank you." Hafsa replies smiling nervously. "I am also new to this. It has been barely three weeks from my nikkah but I can sum everything up to do your duties and patience. Never neglect your responsibilities, never neglect yourself and try to be spontaneous. The last one brings spice to your marriage."

The small crowd laughs. "I'm taking this advice especially not neglecting myself. Reminds you to always put yourself first." I comment. "Depends, doesn't mean for you to be selfish to your spouse."

Hanan jokes and i look at Alya as she stares at her feet with a stoic expression. I wonder why she's doing this. Why she's here? Does she want to make the marriage work? If that's the case, she wouldn't have let me sit on the passenger's seat. Something doesn't add up.

**********

I swing my arms, feeling the soft carpet below my feet down the hall. I lean on the wall when I reach my room as I look for my card in my bag. I ravage my bag for the key so I can take a hot shower and sleep.

I finally find it, taking the key out of my bag. "You're back." I hear Falah's voice, making me gasp. I take a deep breath before looking at him. "You scared me."

"My apologies, didn't mean to startle you." He leans on the door and his head on the door frame. He has gotten rid of the dark under circles, has gotten fresher and looks more chubby. "You look good, all that stress from work seems to be offloading quite well."

I do the same thing, leaning on the door. "You think?" He smiles weakly as we stand in silence for a few seconds just appreciating a caring superior and friend.

"Hey." Alya waves, walking towards us. She seems to be struggling to walk with the flops. "What happened?" Falah walks to her. "My feet are sore and strained." She places her hand on the wall. "I need rest, thank you for asking." She smiles up at him as he lets her lean on him slightly.

"See you tomorrow." He says to me before walking into the room with Alya. I stand when I realized how pathetic I look. I roll my eyes, turning to open my door. I swipe the card making the door unlock.

I get in the room, throwing my things on the bed with a grunt. I take a deep breath to calm myself down.

I place my hand on the drawer as I look at myself in the mirror. Is this how it'll be?

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