A Twist of Fate (Dhoombros included) under MAJOR editing

Cleaning Up the Mess

The next morning, I was awoken by a phone call. Groaning I tried to ignore it but it kept on ringing. so I groggily got up and picked up my phone, only to jerk up into a sitting position.

"Good morning." Rehan's low voice came through the phone and I almost choked on my spit.

After a few seconds, I replied back,

"How did you get my number?" I asked in shock. He chuckled and said, "I have my ways". I clenched my fingers in attempt to not lash out at him.

"Why are you calling?" There were no excuses for pleasantries. In fact, I had the full right to be unpleasant to him. 

He didn't respond for a minute but then said, "It's my cousin's wedding and our family wants to get together for the wedding at their farmhouse for 2 weeks. I know you might hate me right now for everything but please for our parents, come. They don't know what happened between us and I want to keep it that way for now." To be shocked was an understatement. I was dazzled.

I had never heard Rehan speak to anyone with so many emotions. He was always calm and reserved.

The emotions that were being portrayed in his voice and it took every ounce of me not to say something that could throw both of us out of balance. I had to be strong.

"Why do you want me to come? Ask Sophia or any of your other girlfriends." I said harshly, remembering last night's encounter. There was silence for a few minutes and I was about to hang up when he said, "I broke up with her. And legally, you are my wife.  What would people think if I came with someone other than you? You are --" Different feelings rushed through me as he broke off, not completing his sentence. 

I wanted to be angry at him, cut the phone and cry. The only reason he was doing this was because I was his legal wife in front of the world. Not because he wanted me to be there, but because he wanted to keep his reputation in tact.

All he cared about was that.

But I couldn't break down. I had to think rationally.  I couldn't hurt Mamma and Uncle by not going to the wedding with Rehan. And Ammi would be there too! Rehan could be selfish but I wasn't going to do the same. If I was to be selfish and not go to the wedding, the whole family would know there was something wrong with us. 

I had to go. 

But what if this was all a lie? A ploy to get me away from Cameron, to get me back? 

He wouldn't do that to me. Would he?

Without thinking of anything else, I said "Fine I will go with you. What time?" I asked in one breath.

"I will pick you up at 3. Be ready and pack for two weeks." And with that I said Salam to him. And what left a smile on my face was that he replied to my Salam, in a low mumble. It was little, but enough to make me raise my eyebrows in surprise.

I quickly ran to tell Cameron about the change of plans. At first, he was worried, but after me reassuring him a hundred times, he finally calmed down. After packing, I not so calmly waited for Rehan to pick me up. I was kind of excited to see everyone. Oh, who was I kidding, I was nervous as heck. And then on top of that, I was going to have to be alone with Rehan for 17 hours to reach Chicago!

What if I strangled him on the plane? 

I mean he was my husband but the circumstances we were going through.... it just seemed right...

Ugh. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to feel. I just didn't know.

I shook off these thoughts and prepared myself for some awkward encounters that might occur. 

I didn't want any of my impending feelings for him to return. He cheated on me for God's sake! I wasn't going to forgive him, and it didn't look like he wanted my forgiveness! 

Wait. I needed to sleep,  I could sleep in the car for half of the time!!! Yes!

With a new found determination, I started to clean my room and the closet. It wasn't that messy, so I headed to the bathroom. Scrubbing harshly against the toilet seat with my gloves on, I felt so smart.  It was already clean but anything to get me tired. I scrubbed the tub and cleaned the sink. After taking out all the laundry, I headed into Cameron's room and started cleaning up the huge mess he made. Clothes everywhere, perfume bottles open, ties sprawled across the bed, shorts on the couch, towels on the side of the bed...

How did the buffoon sleep in here?

With a long sigh, I walked in and got to work. This was going to take a long time.

With another long sigh, I carefully dropped down onto the freshly made bed that no longer smelled like man-sweat and Chinese takeout. After two hours of picking stuff up from weird places and tossing them out or throwing them into the laundry basket, then scrubbing and vaccuming and dusting and more cleanly activities, I finally finished cleaning the hoarder's room. My head was spinning with the constant bending and picking and then coming back up to throw things away, but the clean, fresh scented, livable room was completely worth it.

I even started to just crawl around the floor instead of bending so much. No one needed to know that though.

I glanced at the polished clock in the corner of the room and my eyes bulged at the time. I had exactly twenty eight minutes before Rehan would be at my doorstep. And I really didn't need to give him the satisfaction of seeing me be rushing and a hot mess.

Despite the constant dizzy spells I was experiencing, I hurried into the nicest (aka didn't need ironing) forest green dress and tights. With light makeup, I grabbed my phone and walked out of my bedroom.

As I walked towards the kitchen to get a glass of water, the doorbell rang and Cameron's groan rang out at the same time.

I opened the door to his broad chest covered in dress shirt a mint green that was just a few hues lighter than mine and black tie. 

Always a few shades off, with our relationship, with our understanding, and now with our clothes.

This was gonna be so much fun.

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Assalam Alaikum!!!! How are you all???

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--- Fatima