DECE-P-TION

DXLVI

Iya mi's point of view.

I stare out the window, at the backyard where the ducks and geese sauntered. I cross my arms comfortingly, remembering the swing on a tree we had at our house before this.

"Falah! Get over here, now!" I shout by the stairs, walking back to the broken vase Nadeem bought for me from his trip this week. I sigh, covering my mouth with my hand. "Iya." I hear as I turn to look at him. He strolls to me, staring at the vase shattered on the floor . "Why did you break this?" I glare at him, crossing my arms across my chest.

"You better tell me the truth." I warn sternly as his confusion deepens. "I didn't, maybe you should ask Farhan." I pause, my breath hitching. I raise my head to see Nadeem staring at us before hanging his head. "He's the one, he always does it. Farhan! Iya is shouting at me for something you did!" I turn away, looking at the backyard. I cover my mouth with my hand to stop the sob from coming out. "Falah." I hear Nadeem's approaching footsteps.

"Farhan!"

"Iya mi." I snap out of it, looking at falah who stepped into the living room. I subtly wipe the tear on my cheek before standing from the chair by the awning windows. "What brings you here?" I ask, walking past him to see Alya. She grins the moment she laid her eyes on me. "Iya mi." She hugs me as I chuckle. "What a nice surprise!" I hug her back, sincerely happy for her visit. "How's your father?" I pull away from the embrace to look at her smiling from ear to ear.

"He's doing great, he'll soon be discharged."

"Great, that's a relief. Alhamdulillah." We saunter to the other living room. "It's been so long." I nod in agreement, taking a seat. "Now, we can catch up."

************

I laugh, handing her a saucer of macrons she seems to enjoy so much considering this is her second plate. I stare at her while she eats. "I'm not sure whether you're pregnant or not." She pauses, raising her eyes to look at me. She manages to swallow what's in her mouth then smiles.

"I don't think I am." I shrug, shaking my foot. "I was skeptical." Alya sets the saucer down, her face all serious now. "Iya mi. Can I talk to you about something?" I nod, sitting up in curiosity. She takes a deep breath. "I've noticed how you're at odds with falah and I understand why. I do." I shift my eyes away from her, leaning back on the chair.

"I don't like how he's on a suicide mission and even yesterday, I tried to discourage him again but it doesn't seem to work." She pauses for a few seconds. "It really does hurt to say this but the case matters more to him than I do. I've noticed so rather, I'm trying to make him let it go slowly. To change his mind about it so please stop pushing him away." I look back at her, her eyes begging me.

"To watch him ruin himself? No." I shake my head. "Iya." She stands up from her sofa to seat on the single chair beside mine. "We're not going to let that happen. It's best to be around him and slowly try to change his mind. He's on self destruct and he's not willing to sacrifice anyone but himself that's why he pushes us away but if we're too close, he might just change his mind."

I take a few seconds to think about it and her words are anything but false. She has observed and studied him. "You're right."

"I'm sure he doesn't mean to hurt you. You know he loves you a lot." She reminds me making me turn to smile at her. She doesn't need to do this but here she is, trying to make us make up. The sincerity and love is enough to tell you she cares about falah and us. That I appreciate a whole lot.

"I shall, especially with the baby coming up." She giggles, hanging her head. "Yeah....sure." I hear footsteps approaching as I see Nadeem with flowers in his hands. I smile weakly at him....