An Oath In Blood (Book #3)

Chapter 19: Distractions

EMAN HASHIM

The phone had arrived. The package was locked in the safe in my almirah, one that also held the jewelry from my wedding. Even though I hadn't opened the package or touched the phone inside and it was locked up in a safe with a code, I felt it burning a hole in the back of my head.

I was so sick of the way it felt like it was staring at me, I refused to enter our room until Tariq came home from the office in the evenings. I thought I was doing a good job of hiding my anxiety until my husband grabbed my wrist tonight as I was heading to the sink to do the dishes, asking, "What is going on, ya noori?"

I paused with the plates in my hand, pretending to be confused by his question. "What are you talking about?" I chuckled, removing my hand from his grasp and fixing the collar of his shirt. Tariq's hand covered mine, halting my actions.

"Em, I know you inside out. In your words, rag-rag se waakif hu aapke," he said, taking me by surprise. In your words, I am aware of everything you are.

"What did you say?" I blinked, my jaw dropping open. A sheepish smile flickered across my husband's lips as he lowered his head, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I have been meeting Ashraf every day. He's been teaching me Urdu." Tariq responded. "I wanted to surprise you on our first anniversary but I couldn't hold back anymore."

I put the plates in my hand on the kitchen counter, stepping forward and slinging my arms around his shoulders. A cheeky smile lit up my face and I felt my heart doing that silly flip in my chest that it did whenever I was around Tariq Faled.

"How long has this been going on?" I asked.

"A few months." Tariq murmured. I raised myself on my toes and kissed his lips, flattered and so in love with this man. I made to deepen the kiss after a moment but my husband pulled away, his gaze suspicious. "You can't distract me, noori. I want to know what is bothering you."

"Right now? It is you." I rolled my eyes, earning a soft chuckle from him.

"We can take this to the bedroom if you tell me what is bothering you." Tariq's eyes bore into mine and he pulled me closer to him.

"I am just worried about Baba." I responded. It wasn't a complete lie. I was worried about my father. He'd gotten a heart episode almost eight months ago and his health hadn't been the same since. Although the doctor had assured us that it was nothing to be afraid of, we were still always watching over him.

"Oh, my love." Tariq cupped my face, his thumb brushing against my cheek in the lightest of the touches. "Baba will be fine, Insha Allah." He placed a chaste kiss on my forehead, his eyes reassuring. I smiled sadly, pulling him into a hug. He held me until the sound of the bell ringing pulled us out of our cocoon.

Tariq and I exchanged a glance before walking out of the kitchen, making our way to the door. I pulled it open to find Ahvi and Jace standing on our porch, the former's face breaking into nervous smile at the sight of me. My eyebrows furrowed as they wished us hello and walked into the house.

"W-why are you guys here at this hour again?" My husband questioned his best friend while I pulled mine to a corner with raised eyebrows.

"What is going on?" I whispered, sneaking glances at our men from the corner of my eye. I didn't want them to think we were up to something shady. The dinner at Ren's the other day had been disastrous enough with me blurting out that we were watching porn. Astagrfirullah, Eman. What goes on in your head?

"What's going on with Warren? I tried dialling him this morning but he won't pick up. I am worried. Did he call you?" Vi's face pulled into a frown, worry etched in the creases.