DECE-P-TION

DXL

Lateefa's point of view.

I hang my head, recalling the day we left baba and Alya. She was so young and stubborn. Now I look at her, sitting beside her mother in law and talking to her instead of me. I don't blame her for moving on, hell, even last month, she met halima and wanted to reconcile but we declined. Now...I understand her.

What I can't seem to understand is the fact that she did something stupid which is letting baba ride a horse. Her mother in law stands up and walks away after giving her tight hug. She leaves without giving me the light of day. I scoff at her arrogance when her husband placed his arm around her and pulls her to his chest, kissing her head. He's doing all of this for money, maybe him or the both of them?

He doesn't see anyone but Alya and decides to marry her. Later, he gets rid of baba and takes all his assets. Makes sense. Seeing them hugging and comforting each other is uncomfortable.

Jaffar strolls back in. "Falah, a word?" Alya pulls away from Falah so that he can stand up. They walk out as I wonder what happened. I shift my eyes to Alya when we lock eyes. She keeps the eye contact without flinching then turns her head away which angers me. "You've grown up, now you can stare at me like that? I'm your older sister." She doesn't look my way not to talk of answering me. "I'm talking to you."

"Spare me the fanatics and exacerbation. Lets stay in silence." I raise my brows by her response. "You never seem to not surprise me." I see her roll her eyes even though she didn't turn to give me a glance. "Lets see how far you go." She doesn't bother, sitting like I wasn't there.

The doctor walks into the waiting area. "Mrs Alya, good day." The doctor greets her as she stands up. I walk to the doctor to hear if there's anything. "Doctor, is he okay?" The man turns to look at me. "He's stable and his condition is just like I said earlier. I'm here to tell you that you can see him." I smile, nodding. "Okay, thank you. Which room is that?"

"Please follow me." He goes ahead as we follow him behind. How is baba? What does he look like? Would he remember my voice if he is to hear me or recognize me if he was to see me? The man stops by a door at the end of a hall with a long and wide window. "This is his room, he's still unconscious and please, he needs ample rest." I wave my hand in dismissal.

"I'm sorry for....that. We're thankful...". I don't focus on what they say anymore. I open the door, seeing baba lying on the bed. He looks like you could call his name and he'll answer.

"Baba?" I call his name, walking to his side. His skin is glowing and he looks perfectly well which made me happy. I stand, unable to sit beside him and hold his hand in shame. I didn't talk to him for over twelve years, now we decide to barge back in?

I cross my arms, my eyes tearing up. Alya shuts the door before walking to the chair beside him and sits, then holds his hand. She places the hand on her cheek while she sobs quietly. She's the only one he'll be happy to see. He doesn't know we're here. I take a step forward, making her turn to look at me. "He's my father too."

"I'm not fighting you." She turns her head away. "You have this judgmental look on your face like you're above everyone else. Who the hell do you think you are?" I glare at her as I receive a side glare from her. "You're shouting and he doesn't need that. If you need to cool off, there's the door."

"Don't you dare disrespect me again." I lower my voice but I make it firm while pointing a finger at her as a warning. She ignores me, holding his hand to her lips. She closes her eyes, seeing a tear rolling down her cheek. I roll my eyes, turning to walk out of the room.

"You're leaving?"

"You suddenly care?"

"Are you leaving?"