The Unlikely Union

2 ~ Awkward Beginnings

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The days that followed the wedding and reception felt like a whirlwind of awkward encounters and stilted conversations for Wajdan and Dua. Shifting into Wajdan's personal penthouse, where he had lived alone before their marriage, only magnified the tension between them. They were two people from different worlds, now bound by circumstance, and adjusting to their new life together proved to be a struggle.

Wajdan, still grappling with the reality of their forced marriage, was grumpy and withdrawn. His usual charm and charisma seemed to have vanished, leaving a heavy cloud of irritation in his wake. Dua, on the other hand, was determined to embrace their situation. Her sunny disposition and unwavering optimism stood in stark contrast to Wajdan's gloom, and she hoped to find a way to bridge the gap between them and wants their marriage to work after a lot of thinking.

One morning, as they sat down for breakfast, Wajdan's mood was evident. He grumbled, "Can't you just leave me alone for a moment? I'm not in the mood for small talk."

Dua, undeterred, beamed at him. "Good morning, Wajdan! Isn't it lovely outside today?"

Wajdan raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "What's lovely about it? The sun's too bright, the birds are too loud, and the coffee's too weak."

Dua chuckled, her laughter lightening the air. "Oh, Wajdan, you're so funny! You always were a bit of a grump in the mornings."

His scowl deepened. "I'm not being funny, Dua. I'm just being honest. And I'd appreciate it if you didn't try to make light of everything all the time."

Dua's smile faltered, but she held her ground. "Okay, sorry. I just thought it would be nice to start the day on a positive note."

Wajdan snorted dismissively. "Positive note? You think a fake smile and a cheerful attitude are going to make everything okay? Newsflash, Dua: they won't."

The tension thickened in the air, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. Dua's gaze dropped, her voice softening. "I just want to make this work, Wajdan. For us, for our families...for everyone."

Wajdan's expression flickered momentarily, his eyes meeting hers. He caught a glimpse of the girl he had grown up with, full of life and laughter, but just as quickly, he slipped back into his mask of indifference. Yet, something shifted in him, and he finally conceded, "I know, Dua. But it's going to take time. And effort. From both of us."

The rest of the day continued in a haze of awkward exchanges, their interactions reduced to formal pleasantries and strained silences. They moved through their routines, both painfully aware of the barriers that still existed between them.

As the sun began to set, they found themselves alone in the living room, the TV blaring in the background. Wajdan lounged on the couch, his focus fixed on the screen, while Dua perched on the armchair, her gaze lingering on him.