IT ENDS WITH HIM (Completed)

12. The Uninvited Guest

Weeks had gone by and Khalid and Hafsa's marriage was falling apart. There wasn't any fighting but there wasn't any laughter either. They seemed to be living separate lives under one roof. Khalid tried time to time to help around the house or bring up a conversation with his wife to prove that he still cared for her, but she seemed to be lost in a track of thoughts. He missed his wife but he didn't know how to get her back. One day when she had worn a beautiful floral pink dress, he had complimented her to which she just gave him a look of confusion.
Hafsa didn't understand why he bothered at all. He had spoken his heart a few times now and she understood that he had settled for her, not that he was lucky to have her.

Even though her marriage was holding onto a thread, she still had to put her personal problems aside and help her best friend get married. Rania was getting married next weekend. All of Rania's cousins and friends had spent weeks on wedding planning. Today they were headed to the dress shop to pick up their tailored dresses. She absolutely adored the gown that Rania had said yes to. It wasn't glamorous nor big and puffy but it was simple, yet very elegant. The bridesmaids dresses were burgundy, matching the colour theme Rania had carefully chosen. Since she was having a summer wedding, with the green leaves and grasses vibrant and alive, she wanted their dresses to stand out in the outdoor photoshoot. Hafsa agreed that the colours did look amazing.

As Hafsa got ready, she informed Khalid of her weekend schedule. While she was rummaging through her purse to find her keys, she stopped mid track. Her eyes focused on a spare pad, she always kept with her in case she ever needed it. When was the last time she had her period? She quickly checked her period tracker app and saw she was two weeks late. A faint gasp escaped her lips.

"Could I be pregnant?" Wondered a worried Hafsa. She wasn't ready to be a mother yet and she didn't even know if Khalid still wanted wanted to be her husband. She didn't want to panic as she wasn't sure yet. She made a mental note to stop by the local drug store to pick up a pregnancy test.

***

"Okay Rania, time to try on the dress one last time before the big day!" Squeezed one of Rania's cousins.

The dress fit her perfectly. Rania suddenly started to cry.

"Oh my God, I can't believe this is actually happening. I'm getting married next week. I know the wedding day is going to be hectic so I wanted to tell you all now how blessed I am to have you all in my life. You've all been there for me whenever I needed you and for that I am forever grateful. So thank you, weeped the blushing bride to be.

"Oh Rania, we're just returning the favour. We're all blessed to have you in our lives too," replied another friend of Rania.

Everyone nodded in an agreement.

"Well that makes 3 of us taken," laughed Rania. As she said this, she squeezed Hafsa's hand. Hafsa smiled in response but she was sure the smile hadn't reached her eyes.

"Now we need to help you all get settled too!" Squealed Rania.

By the time they had lunch and had everyone's dresses packed for the big day, it was late in the evening. Hafsa had planned to make fried beef with oven baked vegetables for dinner. When she arrived home, she was startled to hear a women's voice laughing in her kitchen. She carefully hung the bridesmaid dress in the closet and went to see who it was. As she entered the kitchen, it took the young woman a minute to process the scene before her.

Yusra was wearing her pink apron, busy icing a cupcake while Khalid was at the sink laughing with her. They were too caught up in the moment that they hadn't even noticed her presence.

"What is going on here?" Asked an annoyed Hafsa.

"Babe, you're home. Yusra stopped by and offered to bake some of her delicious cupcakes. Wasn't that nice of her?" Said Kahlid nonchalantly.

"Hi Rania," chirped Yusra.

"I wasn't aware that you were coming today." Replied Hafsa. She quickly glanced at Yusra's outfit. She was dressed in a pair of black tights and long white fitted shirt.

"Nor did I. Omar and I were out shopping around the area when I decided to drop by to see the two of you. I wish u were here too but Khalid said you were with your friends today."

"Yes, my friend Rania is getting married soon. Where's Omar?" Asked Hafsa. She didn't like how just the two of them were alone in her home.

Just then there was a knock at the door.

"Speak of the devil," said Khalid as he walked past his wife to open the door for his brother.

"Heyy Hafsa, how's it going?" Asked her brother in law.

She took a long glance at her husband before replying to Omar,
"You left your wife alone with my husband for God knows how long and you were okay with it?" Asked a triggered Hafsa. This was her home, her husband. She wasn't going to let this slide.

Omar scratched the back of his head. It was clear there was tension in the room and that Hafsa was not pleased.

"Umm yeah I guess? I mean they were just baking." Replied Omar.

"Well that's great Omar that you're okay with this, but I'm not! Khalid why didn't u at least text me about Yusra's presence? I could have left earlier."

"That's enough Hafsa. I don't know what you're implying but we did nothing wrong and you're creating drama for no reason." Barked a pissed Khalid.

"I'm being dramatic? Says the one who forbade my own mother from entering our home!" Yelled Hafsa.

It took everyone by surprise when Khalid closed the space between his wife and him and slapped her across the face. Yusra gasped while his brother pushed him back.

"What the heck Khalid. We're leaving now, I'm so sorry Hafsa." Omar gave his sister in law an apologetic glance before guiding his wife to the exit.

As soon as the door closes behind them Khalid gave Hafsa the death glare.

"You're an embarrassment," and storms off into the room.

She walked towards the fridge and placed a bag of frozen peas on the side of her face, where her husband had slapped her. Another day, another beating. She quietly cleaned the mess that the two of them had made and gave all the cupcakes to one of their neighbours, well knowing that there was no way that she was going to eat it. She made them dinner, prayed then drifted off to sleep.