Collision of hearts

Chapter 20

Zaid's POV

I set up a bath for Nadia. After she showered, I gave her a massage and we cuddled. I went to the mosque for Isha, and when I returned, Nadia was wrapping her prayer mat. We talked for a while and then drifted back to sleep.

I served Nadia breakfast in bed, telling her to rest while I took care of things around the house. We had a lazy day, just eating, praying, and sleeping.

Nadia's POV

The girls are here. I made a lot of food and snacks for us, just as Zarah wanted, but she seemed lost and quiet today. "Are you okay?" I asked, and she nodded. "I'm okay," but I could read the lie in her eyes. We talked, danced, and played games. Zarah tried to act okay and strong, but sadness showed on her face.

"Did Ya Muhammad do something?" I asked, and she shook her head. "No, I told you we are not dating. He is like a brother to me," she said. I nodded and said, "Why don't you go upstairs and rest?" "Thank you, I needed that," she said as she stood.

Thirty minutes later, Ya Muhammad's car pulled up. After exchanging greetings, Zarah went outside with him, saying they had something important to discuss.

Fifteen minutes later, Zarah returned, crying. I asked what happened, but she ran upstairs. Thankfully, Labiba and Laura were in the kitchen. I went to see Ya Muhammad, but he stormed out of the house angrily, speeding away.

Labiba and Laura left, and Zarah was still in the guest room upstairs. Zaid came back from work and was resting.

I started getting worried about Zarah, so I went to the guest room. I knocked on the door when Zaid arrived. "What are you doing? Who's in there?" he asked. Before I could answer, Zarah opened the door with bloodshot eyes.

"What's wrong?" Zaid asked, worried. "Nothing, I'm not feeling well," she answered. "No, I don't believe you," he said. "Ya Zaid, I don't want to go back home. Can I just stay here?" she asked. He nodded, "Of course you can. I will tell Ammi." She thanked him, and he walked away, knowing she wouldn't tell him what happened, but he would find out.

Zarah dragged me into the room, and we sat on the couch. She told me, "I'm getting married." "What?! When? To who?" I questioned. "Dikko. His name is Dikko Bala," she replied. That's it. I understood she didn't want to talk, so I let her be.

I found Zaid cooking in the kitchen. He looked at me and asked, "Did she tell you what happened?" "You know she's getting married, right?" I said. He frowned. "Who's getting married?" "Zarah," I answered as if it were obvious. "Impossible. Who is she marrying?" he asked, dropping the knife and grabbing his phone. "Dikko Bala," I said, and he said, "Hell no," before leaving. I continued cooking and called Zarah to eat. After eating, we watched a movie together.

Third Person's POV

Zaid asked Zarah if someone was forcing her into the marriage, and she said, "No, it is my choice to marry him. I want to marry him." But he didn't believe her. He couldn't believe nobody told him about this. Dikko was not a good man, and he would never allow his sister to marry him.

Ya Muhammad was having mixed feelings but mostly felt betrayed by Zarah. He felt like a fool for trusting her, but a part of him believed she was lying and still loved him. He drowned in work to distract himself from his feelings but couldn't escape them.

Zarah cried at night and smiled during the day. She loved Muhammad, but her parents decided she was getting married to someone she hated with every fiber of her being. The poor girl was unhappy. She felt her parents were being unfair because Laila wasn't married, and no one was forcing her into a marriage she didn't want. Although Abba said she would be getting married soon, everyone knew Laila and Al-Amin were dating, which might be why.

Two Months Later

Nadia and Zaid were living happily. Zaid had stopped denying his feelings for Nadia, and Nadia, too, acknowledged her love for him. Zaid planned to tell her soon. Today, Nadia and Zaid visited the Yusuf's.

Nadia, Zarah, and Laila were talking when Walida, the family friend's daughter, came in. They exchanged greetings and continued their conversation.

Ammi called them downstairs and announced that Laila's marriage would be fixed tomorrow. Congratulations were coming from everywhere. Immediately after Laila's wedding, Zarah's wedding would take place.

Nadia and Zarah went outside to the gazebo. Nadia saw something that made her eyes drop. She looked at Zarah, about to explode with anger. Walida and Muhammad were sitting hand in hand, with her head on his shoulder. He said something that made her laugh. Then she looked at him, whispering in his ear. He smirked, looking straight into Zarah's eyes as he whispered something into Walida's ear. She blushed hard. He stood, held his hand out to Walida, and they walked away.

Zarah broke down, saying, "I love him fah, I love him." Nadia asked, "Who?" and Zarah replied, "Muhammad. I don't want to marry Dikko, but they insist, and there is nothing I can do about it. It hurts so much, and look at the stunt he just pulled, knowing I'm watching him." Nadia hugged her, advising her to talk to Zaid about it. He would know what to do. Two months ago, when Nadia asked her brother about Zarah, he said it was a one-sided thing. She told him, "No, it is not. Zarah loves him," but he refused to believe her.

Next Day/Zaid's POV

I was on the phone with Muhammad when Zarah came in without knocking. "Zarah, I have warned you multiple times about knocking—" I started, but when he saw her face, he immediately stood and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Ya Zaid, please help me. I couldn't sleep at all last night. I love Muhammad. Abba insists that I marry Dikko. I took fake pills, thinking he would let me be when he saw what I was doing, but he slapped me multiple times, saying I must marry Dikko. I deserve the slaps, but still... I lied to Muhammad that he means nothing to me. I don't want to marry Dikko. The reason I lied to you when you asked is that I knew you would not allow it, and Abba would be more unhappy with me. Now I understand I can't do it," she said and continued, "Please don't tell Muhammad about this because he will lose it."

That's when I remembered I was on a call with Muhammad when she came in, so the call was ongoing. I checked the phone and saw he had just hung up. I knew he heard everything. I called Nadia to take Zarah to the guest room because she wasn't going back home until I made sure the wedding was canceled.

Twenty-five minutes later, Muhammad arrived, looking for Zarah. We excused them to talk so I could spend time with my wife.

"We have been married 3-4 months," I said, reminiscing about our memories.

"Yes, only a few months remain," Nadia said. My heart sank. "Do you mean by that?" I asked. She said, "Remember that one-year thing? You will divorce me after one year."

What is all this about? We aren't fighting, and we are living in peace. I thought we were making things work, and it was working.

"I will not," I said.

"You will," she replied.

"I will not," I said, getting angry.

"You will," she said.

"I don't want to divorce you. I can't even breathe properly without you. I want you close to me," I said. She kept quiet, looking at me.

"I am in love with you, Nadia. I love you. I don't want to lose you," I said. Her eyes widened. "I love you," she kept quiet, looking at me. I thought maybe I shouldn't have said it.

"Than—Thank you," she replied.

"Thank you? For what!" I said, annoyed, and walked out of the room. I saw Muhammad and Zarah talking but ignored them and left the house.