HALF HER DEEN

36. 𝑰'𝒎 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒓, 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅

Hassan's Pov
Two months later

"Alright, just forward the documents to my email so we can quickly get this done before I leave," I instructed my assistant, who turned around to carry out my request, shutting the door behind him.

I let out a sigh, rubbing my eyes as a yawn escaped me, prompting me to recite the prayer for it. I had been feeling tired and moody all morning. I would have taken my medication, but I left it at home.

I took out my phone to see that Halimah had sent me a message. I clicked it and was greeted with a selfie of her and Zayad. She held him up to her face, squishing his already chubby cheeks against hers, and wore a huge smile. Her face was radiant and content. So beautiful. My heart warmed at the sight of two of my favorite people on earth. I'm incredibly lucky.

The message underneath read:

My Heart:Selfie before we go to the mall!

Me:My babies. I'm gonna meet you guys there, ok? I'll be done with work soon.Just take an Uber there, baby.

My Heart:Okay, see you then, In Shaa Allah!

Me:In Shaa Allah. I love you.

My Heart:I love you more.

I locked my phone with a smile just as a ping sounded from my laptop, indicating my assistant had sent what I requested. Back to work then.

~

I pulled up to the mall and unlocked my phone to double-check the location Halimah had sent me, then made my way there.

I sighed again at the growing heaviness in my heart, once more wishing I had brought my medication. Seeing them will make me feel better, though. With that thought, I quickened my pace to the baby store where Halimah had said she was.

After a few minutes, the store came into view, and I approached eagerly, only to stop in place at what I saw.

Halimah stood at the counter with Zayad in a light blue baby carrier, laughing and talking jovially with a blonde-haired man who also had a wide smile on his face. He stood tall and towered over Halimah, dressed casually.

Immediately, my stomach twisted in discomfort. Why is she so happy talking to this man? Where does she even know him from? Why have I never met him before?

Consumed with anger and jealousy, I kept my face stoic as I approached them. Halimah noticed me, her eyes squinting briefly, but I dismissed it, my gaze trained on this stranger who was taller than me, which ticked me off even more.

"Hassan! I didn't even see you there."

"Of course. You seemed... distracted," I responded curtly. Halimah did a double take at my tone, giving me a questioning look as she gestured to the man of the hour, who still had a smile on his face.

"This is Jake, my old school friend. He actually just moved here from London too" Yippee.

"Hey mate, how'd you do?" he greeted, holding out his hand for a handshake with a friendly smile. Not as friendly as the one he was showing my wife, though.

"Hey," I responded, giving him a firm handshake, my face blank. I turned to Halimah, who was holding her bags. "Did you get everything you wanted?"

"Y-yes, I was on my way out when Jake walked in," she said, looking at me intently. I looked away immediately.

"Of course. I'll be waiting in the car while you chat," I said, grabbing the bags beside her on the counter and the ones in her hand, then walking out.

Annoyance coursed through me as I approached my car and opened the back seat door to place the bags inside. I then sat in my seat, placed my head on the steering wheel, and tried to do the breathing exercises Sam taught me to release the anxiety, fear, and anger within me. I know my reaction is triggered and escalating because of my moodiness , but I just can't help how I feel about another man making my wife laugh and smile. Only I should. Her husband. Not Jake.