•AN OBLIVIOUS ONE•

FARID ✨

It had been a week since my conversation with Amir, and everything had been going smoothly since then. No more confrontations, no more stress. Islam had practically disappeared from my life, and I was fine with that. She was out of my neck, and I was back to living life as I liked it.

I hardly ever saw her around the house, and even when I did, it was maybe once or twice a week. Not like I cared though. We were like ghosts in each other's lives, drifting in and out of the same space without so much as a glance. It was the way I preferred things. No awkward conversations, no forced pleasantries. Just silence.

Finally, it felt like everything was back to normal. I was back to focusing on work, hanging out with Amir, and enjoying the freedom I'd had before this whole marriage arrangement turned my world upside down.

As I leaned back in my chair, scrolling through some emails, my phone buzzed beside me. I glanced at the screen, smirking as I saw the name. **Maya**-short for Amaya. One of my flings, now downgraded to a reliable friend with benefits. She always knew when to call.

I swiped to answer, a grin already forming on my face. "Hey," I said, keeping my tone light and casual.

"Hey, handsome," she replied, her voice dripping with flirtation. "I was just thinking about you. You home?"

I leaned back even further, feet up on the table. "Yeah, I'm around. You coming over?"

"On my way," she teased. "Hope you're ready for me."

I chuckled, already imagining the evening ahead. "I hope you're wearing something sexy."

She laughed, a sound that always carried a certain promise. "Always. See you soon."

I hung up, tossing my phone onto the couch beside me. This was how I liked it-easy, simple, no strings attached. With Maya, I didn't have to deal with complications, expectations, or responsibilities. She came when I wanted her, left when I was done. Perfect.

I stood up, stretched, and looked around the house. For a moment, I wondered where Islam was. Probably at school or locked away in her room, not that it mattered. Out of sight, out of mind.