Twice Upon Them

Chapter 15 | Maymunah | Divorce

REMINDER: Maymunah and Harun are on their honeymoon. Hafsa (Harun's sister) found divorce papers in Maymunah's room, and Maymunah claimed she had them to review a court case (she aspires to be a lawyer).

All right, it has been a while, but enjoy!

Harun and I landed in Dubai earlier this morning.

My cousin and his wife welcomed us at the airport. They took us to their house - mansion, by the size and beauty of it - which overlooks the beach ahead. We would have booked a hotel, but they told us that the nicer rooms are usually overpriced, even for Dubai, and offered us to stay at their guest house.

I refused at first when I was talking to them over the phone days before we arrived. "No hard feelings, Hamza, but I don't want to spend my honeymoon with family. And what about your parents?"

"We don't live with them anymore, May. We moved out since last year," Hamza said, who sounded a bit exasperated at my protesting. "Besides, I really miss my favorite baby cousin. We have a lot to catch up on."

"Maymunah, listen to Hamza," his wife, Aleena, urged. "I need to give you some tips on your marriage life and I don't think you'd like to hear that from Hamza. Besides, I have way more things to talk to you about."

"Do you have any pets?"

"No," Aleena said a bit dejectedly.

"That's a bummer. That would have won me over," I said with an exaggerated sigh.

Aleena insisted, "Hamza will pay for everything."

"What? No, I-" Hamza started to object.

"Oh, really? All right, we're coming! Thanks, Hamza!" I exclaimed before ending the call.

Now, Harun and I are settling into the guest house. We have brought our suitcases up to the master bedroom and are unpacking our clothes. We haven't spoken much on the plane, mainly because I was asleep most of the time. However, despite that, I can't help but notice how tense Harun is.

"What are you thinking about?" I ask to break the silence. I watch him as he meticulously organizes his shirts by color in the wardrobe closet. "You don't seem thrilled for the honeymoon you wanted so badly."

He shrugs as he examines his shirts for the third time before moving on to his shorts. This time, he takes care in making sure they are stacked neatly and precisely. "I'm just really tired."

"Why don't you take a nap then? I'll finish them for you," I offer, gesturing to his clothes.

He shoots me a half smile before he walks a few steps towards me. He walks behind me and wraps his arms around my torso, his chin resting on my shoulder. "Why not sleep together, May?"

"I already slept on the plane." I pause before I say, "Can we talk?" He nods his head. "Can you let me go first?"

"Just a little longer," he whispers. "Let's stay like this for just a little longer."

I reach for his hand resting on me. I intertwine my fingers with his, which dwarf mine. "Then, can we talk?"

"About?"

"Just...stuff." I loose a breath before I say, "I don't really want to start off our vacation like this, but I thought it would be better to clear some things up. You know, so that we can enjoy the rest of our time here without being worried about those things."

"There's nothing we need to clear up."

"Harun, I'm serious."

He sighs. "Let's talk about it later. After this vacation."