Stubborn Hearts (Rewriting)

On the way home

Syed had stared at the girl that was Ayesha within the crowds of family members. He, the closed off software engineer had danced, had fun with people he didn't know anything about and just met.

After about 10 songs he excused himself to 'rest' and watched her from the sidelines, all the while holding his cheek where her lips had made contact with. Ayesha didn't look like the hurt person with angry tears after he confessed about the deal, she was dancing like never and had a huge confidence in winning him over.

It was foolishly cute. He shook his head. She's not cute. But he knew he was lying to himself.

For the first time another girl had kissed him. Sure it wasn't on the lips - he'd drop dead then - but it was still a kiss. And she also seemed sincere. Bitch. Sincere bitch.

After a teary - but awkward for him - farewell where his father just eyed him like a vulture while he did the same they were driving back home.

It was raining too, the pitter patter of rain drops the only backdrop sound in the otherwise quiet care. All that cardio must've got to her because she instantly fell asleep in his car. It was hard for him not to blush when she kept complimenting the Audi.

At least she added mashallah, no evil eye for him.

He looked at her from the corner of her eye. Being rude to her while she knew why was better than to leave her in the dark. Damn Siam for predicting that the girl would fall for him.

The road was pretty much vacant, after all it was 1 AM. He drove slowly, the windshield wipers adding another backdrop.

Syed looked at her truly, her curly hair fell over her breasts, her head was leaning on the headrest as she breathed through her nose in her sleep. She was adorable no doubt.

He slapped himself. Get a fucking grip!

***

When Ayesha's eyes fluttered open she saw that the car had stopped and was now in a garage.

Still groggy she looked to her left to see the jerk smoking. Smoking!

'Morning,' his voice was muffled as he spoke with the cigarette in his lips. 'Or should I say morning night?'

'We- we arrived? Why didn't you wake me up?'

'Did sweetheart.' He puffed out smoke causing her to hold in her breath. '10 minutes ago but all I got in reply were grunts or silence. So I decided to have a small smoke then wake you up again.'

'I can't believe you smoke. While marrying a damn heart doctor! Plus, don't you care about your body?'

'Of course I do. I workout two times a day.'

'Inside! Your lungs are cooked.'

'Probably burnt by now.' He took in another drag then exhaled smirking. 'What are you gonna do, Ayesha? Lecture me?'

She took the cigarette from his hand. 'Hey-!' He yelped but she quickly threw it out the window. He got even more furious as she hopped out and stomped on it. 'You little-'

She held onto his arms as he stomped towards her. 'You can't hit on your new bride.'

'I can do whatever the fuck I want, I don't care if you're a girl, boy, alien I am giving a piece of my mind-'

'Just for a cigarette?'

He paused, his cheeks turning pink in embarrassment. She was right, it wasn't really that huge of a deal.

'Knew it.' She kissed his cheek and he pushed her.

'I said stop it!'

A flash of hurt crossed across her features but trying to be strong and unaffected she stomped towards the elevator.

Syed was getting used to this by now. Maybe pushing her away won't be so hard.

***

She was thankful that his apartment was huge and had 3 bathrooms. Right now she was in the guest bathroom which was very spacious, perfect for her to let her feelings out.

She had stripped herself from her pink gown and sat in the tub naked after the shower had filled it up with water. The cold water didn't soothe her, just made her tears mix in.

This relationship was definitely one sided. I am already crying on the first day? Can I really make him like me let alone love me? She buried her face in his hands and prayed.

For something. For a change of heart. Anything.

Lying back in the bath she let herself sink in, letting the water surround her and muffle out the world. Right now she is gone from the world and in her own world.

***

Showers always soothed him. After a workout session, after another boring day or just about anytime. But this time it didn't. His skin felt numb due to the cold yet his heart was in turmoil.

This marriage, this girl, him, everything was a mistake. How would he even sustain this? This would just end in bloodshed. And that bitch had to like him making everything so much harder.

Grunting Syed hit the wall with his fist, his slender arms of course would do no damage. He slightly tugged at his hair gritting his teeth.

On the 365th day mark he would go insane that's for sure. Why wasn't he now? As an avid Hunger Games fan he tried that one technique Katniss did to calm herself down, shockingly it had worked for him at most times.

My name is Syed Ahmed.
I'm 26 years old.
I'm a software engineer.
Right now I'm a married man for a year.
And... Why am I not dead? Why am I cursed like this? Why am I not in a padded room?!

Screaming he took off the shower head smashing it to the ground.

***

Ayesha was asleep, her hair braided as he lay awake smoking and leaning against the headboard. He was in a daze, in his own smoky world, a crooked smile on his lips as he got lost in the cigarette smell.

He had started as soon as she fell asleep, he wasn't in the mood for a lecture or to murder his new bride out of rage.

And he had promised himself he'd find someone better for her, it was the least he could do.

Syed covered her fully with the blanket so the reek wouldn't wake her up.

Cigarettes and the Katniss technique always calmed him down. Since plan K failed he was now in plan C. And the desired outcome always came with C.

Putting an arm under his head as a cushion he made some rules in his head.

Do not get emotionally or physically attached.

Do not ruin our lives.