DECE-P-TION

DXX

Alya's point of view.

I walk towards my office. With Falah backing lawal, he could use the fake documents to take me down. Falah is an exceptional lawyer and his history says it all. I need to get more dirt on lawal and compromise his evidence. I open the door when I see lawal standing by my window. I shut the door, by body leaning on the door.

He smiles devilishly, striding towards me with his hands in his pocket. "It's good to see you again." I exhale, walking to the mini parlor in my office. "What do you want? I don't have time, I have work to do." I sit with my legs crossed.

"You've always pissed me off with your arrogant and pompous attitude but it also intrigues me." He places his hands on the bridge of the sofa. "I doubt you came here for your fixations." I scroll through my iPad. "I'm here to give you an opportunity to help yourself. Beg for forgiveness and I'll let you be. Ofcourse your seat will be in danger but I'll remind myself not to crush you completely."

I scoff, smiling before taking my bag. "Getting overconfident, aren't we?" I stand up, walking to the table. I frown as I realize his confidence must come from somewhere when I feel my arm tugged back.

My iPad and bag falls to the ground. Lawal squeezes my arm tightly and his face apart from mine with a few inches. "What is wrong with you?" I try to pull my arm away. "You won't look at me with that condescending look ever again, you hear me? You're not better than me or anyone for that matter. You're a woman, you're meant to be at home."

I move my head away to gain more space from him. "Yet I'm here dominating the firm and you're at home, tending the kids?" I smile, getting him riled up.

"I wish you would just finally get fucked by your husband and stay home." I roll my eyes. "I actually thought you upgraded yourself from a crass and vulgar man but it seems like you're still the same."

"Someone ought to keep your mouth shut." He raises his hand but I don't flinch. "I dare you to strike me and trust me you'll regret that for the rest of your life. Now let me go."

I snatch my arm away, walking to the table. "Get out of my office. I have wasted enough time on you." I lean on the table. "You'll regret this." He turns walking away. "You really think you'll get away from this when you've assaulted me? My husband being your lawyer?"

He comes to a halt. "I commend your optimism, now get out." I sit on the chair, my hands shaking. I hear the door slam as I hold my hand to help stop shaking.

The door swings open and I see Rayyan. "What did he say to you?" I stand up, walking to my bag. I squat, picking it up. "Nothing." I take my iPad that's busted up now. "Alya, he can't possibly come all the way here to stare at you."

I chuckle lightly as he stands beside me. "Are you okay?" I nod. "No, are you really okay?" He holds my shoulder to face him while looking into my eyes. "You're trembling." He says before pulling me in for a hug. I close my eyes, feeling a sense of safety. "Thank you." I open my eyes before pulling away from him.

"You know he caused this right?" Rayyan asks following me to the table. "Yeah but it doesn't change anything. I want to find the solution since I know the problem."

"I've dug up some information about him." I snap my head to look at him. "What?"

"Information about him. He was delinquent, stealing and assault from a young age. He later joined a gang in his teens to early adulthood and a murder charge at age 21. I have witnesses and testimonies."

"How did you get those information?"

"I personally investigated, he buried it." I hug him, smiling widely. "Thank you so much, Rayyan. I owe you." I pull away, looking at him. "Being beside you is more than enough for me."

I hear a knock on the door making me take a syeaway from him. "I should go." I smile. "Tgank you". He walks to the door, opening it. Falah walks in without his blazer like he works here. He glances at rayyan and looks away.

"Falah, what brings you here?" I ask with my brows furrowed. "I came to pick you up." He stands in front of me. "Why?"

"Your father isn't well." I feel my breath hitch. "What's wrong? What happened to him? Is he fine?" I hold his arm. "He's better, we should go check up on him." I nod,  practically running to the door.

*********

I stand by the door, pacing while he's being checked on by the doctors. I glance at Falah who seems focused on them. The doctors walk out of the room, meeting us. "He's awake and fine. You can go see him now."

"Hashim, can I talk to you?" Falah asked the doctor that's in charge of my father. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, go ahead. I'll be in in a minute." Falah says before walking down the hall with the doctor. I enter the room as I see my father taking out the IV. "Baba, don't take it out. You're not well yet." He ignores me but I hold his hand. He raises his head to look at me.

"I only matter when I'm on the hospital bed." He snaps. "It's not like that, baba." I sit on the bed. "The last time you called or saw me was when you left the house. You didn't bother to look or call for me." He lays back down.

"I was angry, it doesn't justify it but I was for giving me away to a man that's full of ambition and had no interest in me."

"Do you think you know more than I do? Accept your mistakes rather than giving excuses." He pulls his hand away. I feel a tingling sensation in my nose. "I'm sorry for not checking up on you, I'm sorry but I can't say that I'm okay with the choice you made. That choice you made is already showing negative results in my personal and professional life."

He looks away. "You forget that I was the only one that stuck by you when all of them left, yet you made a decision, a gamble that might ruin my life. I don't think I deserve that."

"I didn't call you here, I don't know why he brought you along." I sniffle, a tear running down my eyes.

"Assalamu alaikum." Falah enters the room as i turn away to wipe my tears. "Wa alaikum salam, Falah. It's good to see you." I turn to look at Falah who's smiling, standing beside baba.

"How are you feeling? You're better?" I stand, holding in the tears. "I'm better, worry not." I walk out of the room, shutting the door. I sit on the bench with my hands clasped.

All he had to say was he didn't want me here. That's all the appreciation I needed. He didn't bother asking what I meant by seeing results. He doesn't care, I wish I followed my siblings.

My vision tyrns blurry becsuse of the tears. I syert sobbing quietly as i use my hand to cover my mouth. A tissue is handed to me and I slowly raise my head to see Falah. I take it from him, wiping my face. "Thank you." He sits beside me.

"Why did you bring me here? I know he didn't inform you so you can bring me along. He doesn't want me here." I scoff, glancing at him. "I know you want to be here. He might've said that he doesn't want you here but he was expecting you to come. You're his only daughter and he cares about you."

"Doesn't seem that way, doesn't feel that way. It isn't even that way." I shake my head. "He ignored me in there. My problems, my care and me. I don't deserve this." Tears streaming down my face. "I can't justify what he said to you and say it's okay. He was wrong but I believe he just wants your attention and he's hurt. What you have, the bond you have, don't let it get ruin because of....a prick like me."

Falah countered. "He's the one doing it, not me. He's the one pushing me away." I sniffle. "Has he ever made you sad or miserable before the wedding?" I remember the times we were happy. I shake my head, wiping my tears.

Falah pulls me to his chest for a hug. I clutch onto his shirt tightly as I feel his arms around me, bawling my eyes out.

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