Against The Tide (Formerly Two Tribes)

103: Facing The Truth

Najah's heart ached with a mix of disappointment and betrayal. Emaan's revelation had changed her perspective of Fahad. He was no longer a man fighting his demons, but an abuser.

She had seen potentials in him despite his disorder. She believed she could tame him, be a good wife to him and a guiding light. She believed she had gotten a second chance at happiness. That she could get the family she desperately wanted for herself. But now, everything seemed to have vanished. Once again, her bad luck had overthrown her.

Her heartbeat quickened as she replayed Emaan's words. "He's been managing his condition well. He doesn't get angry as often as he used to." But it wasn't a reassurance, it was made her afraid of the man he could become to her. Maybe even worse than he had been with Nadia.

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. Everything seemed like a cruel joke to her. Nadia, her client, turned friend, a person whom she had sympathized with over her abusive partner turned out to be the ex wife of her fiance. What a small world indeed.

Najah's phone buzzed, startling her. A call from Fahad, the last person she wanted to speak to at that moment. The thought of his voice sent a dread over her but she knew she couldn't run away from the inevitable confrontation. She had to face her problem because no one else could fix it for her.

She heaved a deep sigh before receiving the call.

"Najah, please," his voice, desperate and pleading, echoed through the receiver. "I need to talk to you. Please, just listen to me."

"You knew, didn't you?" Najah asked, her voice trembling. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I..." His voice trailed. "Please come out. I'm outside. I'll explain everything to you."

"I don't want to listen!" Najah spat, her voice filled with anger and resentment."Just leave me alone. Please go away."

"Najah, please," Fahad pleaded. "Just listen to what I have to say. That's all I'm asking."

Najah finally relented. "Give me a minute."

"Thank you."

Najah made sure to wipe her face and look presentable before walking out of the house.

Fahad stood before her, his face etched with worry and remorse. 

"I'm here, start speaking," Najah demanded, her voice cold and distant.

Fahad swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I'm sorry you had to find out like this. I really am. I was planning to tell you."

"No, you weren't!" Najah countered, her voice rising. "If you wanted to, you would have. It's been days, Fahad! When did you plan to tell me? After the marriage?"

"I really wanted to tell you on the same day I told you about my condition, but your ex husband interrupted."

Najah shook her head, disbelief and anger swirling within her. "I can take anything but deception. You deceived me. Not once but twice. I asked you constantly to not hide things from me but you did it anyway."

Fahad ran his hand over his face, his frustration evident in the taut lines on his face. "I'm sorry, Najah...I was so scared to tell you. I knew you were going to react like this."

Najah shook her head, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Nadia is not just my client. She's a friend. I know about every little detail of what you did to her. And now I can't look at you the same way anymore."

"When it happened..." His voice trailed, his eyes fixed on his shoes like they were the most fascinating things. "I wasn't in control of my mind, Najah. I would never hurt a woman intentionally. I'm not the same person anymore. I have been working so hard on myself. I have been more diligent with my medication since I met you because I knew I couldn't lose you. I don't want to lose you, please, Najah. Don't turn away from me."