FOREVER WITH YOU

Chapter 40: Anger

Tasleem thought maybe he was angry at Amira for what she did.

After dinner, Amira retreated upstairs to Tasleem's room. Tasleem efficiently packed away the leftovers, wiped down the table, and extinguished the lights. With the kitchen spotless, she closed the door behind her and headed upstairs, the soft creak of the stairs echoing through the quiet night.

Amira sat engrossed in a video call with Yasim on her iPad, her face illuminated by the screen's soft glow when Tasleem entered the room, her presence momentarily distracting Amira from the conversation. Tasleem headed straight to the washroom, the sound of running water soon filling the air as she indulged in a long, relaxing bath. When she finally emerged, Amira was still deep in conversation, her eyes fixed on the screen. Tasleem smiled warmly, her face refreshed from her bath, and began her nighttime routine, moving quietly to avoid disrupting Amira's call.

After completing her nighttime routine, Tasleem slipped into a cozy purple sleeping dress and lay down beside Amira on the bed. Amira, still engrossed in her video call, glanced over at Tasleem and quickly bid Yasim farewell, ending the call. She turned to Tasleem, a hint of surprise in her voice, and asked, "Do you mean to sleep here?"

Tasleem sat up, nodding silently.

Amira's expression turned quizzical. "Why? You're supposed to sleep in your husband's room, aren't you?"

Tasleem coughed softly, avoiding eye contact. Amira's face turned serious, her voice laced with concern. She grasped Tasleem's hands, her words urgent. "Tasleem, you need to be wise. Can't you see how Amra is trying to snatch Ya Rayyan away from you?"

Tasleem's voice is barely above a whisper, she replied, "If he wants to marry her, what can I do about it? It's not my position to stop him. And you know Ya Rayyan and I... we didn't marry for love. Our union was arranged, and..."

Cutting Tasleem off, Amira said, "What's foolish is that you haven't realized Ya Rayyan has feelings for you. He loves you, Tasleem."

Tasleem didn't agree with Amira's assertion that Rayyan had feelings for her. She simply blinked and remained silent, her expression unreadable.

 Amira's frustration grew, and she urged, "Tasleem, just give Ya Rayyan a chance. He is your husband, you can't continue like this."

Tasleem's response was unexpected - she burst into laughter, hugged Amira tightly, and teased, "It's okay, Mrs Y, I heard you." Tasleem knew the conversation wouldn't take them anywhere and she didn't want to talk about it at all.

The next day

Amira lay on the bed scrolling through her phone while Tasleem sat beside her. "I still think we should go to school." 

With an obvious look on her face Amira said, "We're not going anywhere Tasleem, I can't believe you're thinking of going out while Amra is in your house! You need to be wise!!" The thought of leaving Amra alone in the house doesn't seem right to her.

Tasleem sighed. "It's not like she will steal or something."

Amira had a look of surprise on her face, "it's better if she does that than doing something worse! Tasleem we are not going anywhere and that's final."

Tasleem had a solemn look on her face, she knew she couldn't win against Amira, so she gave up. "What can I do with you?" Tasleem replied.

Bursting with joy, Amira said, "Nothing, let's go, I'm starving." She held Tasleem's hands and they headed downstairs. "Why are you giving me that sad look?" Amira asked with a smile on her face. "Mamie said the worker will be coming over later."

They both sat on the sofa and Amira on the TV "Should we just order? What do you want?" Amira asked.

At the moment of food. Tasleem immediately smiled and said, "Loaded fries, cookies with boba tea."