DECE-P-TION

DXXVI

I pull my hair to a bun in front of the mirror. What is wrong with rayyan? He is usually calm and collected but this doesn't seem like him at all. I hear a knock on the door as I turn my head to see Falah. I turn my head back to the mirror, casually looking for my robe.

"Didn't hear you come back." I notify him, applying a lip moisturizer. "Lawal told me about what he did to you in his office the other day." He impatiently confronts me and I look at him through the mirror to see his aggravation.

"Yes, he told you apparently." I tie a veil on my head. "That's the problem. Why am I finding out from him, not you?" I furrow my brows, turning to look at him as my back faces the mirror.

"We never tell each other what happens at work or our day to day lives unless we're pushed to the wall and have no one else to run to." I remind him making him push his body against the wall to his feet.

"That's a different case. He blackmailed, threatened and almost hit you and you're saying that? Don't justify it." I walk to the bed, taking some of the throw pillows. "I'll sort it out, it's not my first and I believe it won't be my last." I place the pillows on the sofa.

"Did he do anything to you? Did he touch you?" I freeze to look at him. "No, he didn't." I continue taking the pillows and transporting it to the sofa. "Stop and listen to me." He orders firmly.

I keep the last badge of pillows on the sofa, giving him my full attention. "No matter what you say, I'm not willing to understand. He did that to you and you couldn't tell me. Next time, inform me."

"I will but let me handle it."

"It has been handled. Did he hit you?" He walks closer to me with worry. "No, he didn't." I dismiss it as I let out an exasperated sigh. "I wish you would've let me handle it, I had plans and you ruined it." I rub my temple.

"It's good I did because you're not seeing him again. He won't dare come close to you again whether you like it or not." I furrow my brows, getting angry. "Why did you say that? There's a reason why I didn't push him away."

"I don't regret or feel saddened by the choice I made. You can find another solution." He turns, walking away. "How am I sure you didn't make this decision to gain an upper hand in this case?" He shakes his head, walking out of the room and I groan.

**********

I fluff the pillow before placing baba's head on it. He grunts, looking at me. I smile at him as I stand up to get the jug and cup closer to him. "When will I be expecting a grandchild?" I turn to look at him smiling. "Not anytime soon."

"I won't live forever." I chuckle, rolling my eyes. "Don't worry, you will see a grandchild." I place the tray on the chiffonnier. "Just not with Falah." I feel uncomfortable having this conversation with my father.

"It's reciprocated."

"Is it?" I smile, holding his hand. "That doesn't matter now. You're getting better." He snatched his hand away. "Who said so?" I chuckle at how he's being stubborn. "You don't want to heal up."

He keeps quiet, watching the tv. "You're soon going to get out of this bed and continue your day to day activities."

"I want to travel when I get better." He looks up at the ceiling. "Insha Allah, where?"

"To Jaffar." The room falls silent. "Why?" He glances at me. "To see my son, my family. My grandkids."

"You know I'm not one that cares about travelling around the world." I smile, nodding my head in agreement. "You should care for yourself right now." He lies back down, closing his eyes.

After putting baba's things in order, I go downstairs to get my bag before the door bell rings. I hold my bag, walking to the door and opened it to see Rayyan. "Hey." He says weakly with his head leaned on the door frame. "Hi, what are you doing here?"

He stands straight. "To check on your dad and yourself." I give him a tight lipped smile. "I'll make sure to relay the message." He furrows his brows while I step out. "Can I ask why I can't greet him myself?" I shut the door, looking at him. "He's asleep."

"Okay. Hey." He stops me from walking away by standing in front of me. "What's wrong?" He asks as I hang my head, realizing how stressed I am. "I don't know. I don't have a safe space. My workplace is tense, my house is tense and here is also tense. I don't know where to run to."

"You can run to me." He smiles at me. "You have your life too." Rayyan scoffs. "You're the only thing that seems to be making my life worthwhile so without you, I don't have a life. Sad to say. I'm at your beck and call. Whether it's about your brother, lawal, father or Falah, I'll be there." 

I chuckle realizing all the problems in my life are men. "For once, I wish I had a problem with a female for a change." I make him chuckle as we walk down to my car. "I think you're missing the point."

"Thank you again, rayyan. You've been a great help." I hug him, feeling his arms wrapped around me. I remember the past when this was everyday, when I was reckless and didn't have to pay for it, when the little lack of attention was my problem.

"I miss you, Alya." Rayyan whispers, feeling his hot breath on my shoulder. I slowly pull away, his eyes boring into mine. "You know that is not possible considering I'm married."

"You can leave him, it's easy to do that." I pull away from his arms and walk to my car. "I can't leave him, I need to finish this case first but I don't know if there'll be an us." He walks to me,cupping my face with a smile on his face. "As long as he doesn't cause you pain because you're not with him, I'm fine." I furrow my brows when he lightly kisses my lips.

I pull away and get into my car.

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