Her Hidden Lies

2: We All Have Our Flaws.

Aisha's POV.

It was 1am and after turning for hours I decided to come out to the living room to watch. Thankfully I found Ya Ahmed watching as well.

I sit across him.
"You're still up?" He asks surprised "You're always the first to go to sleep"

I huff "I can't seem to today"

He nods "I understand. Is it because of what Baba discussed with you today?"
I nod "I can't deny it. It keeps bothering me badly. What will I do?"

"Introduce him to Salim"
I freeze and stay quiet.
"I don't think so, we're not in a good place"

"Is there a reason why you don't want to?"
I shake my head "It's not like I don't want to, it's just that—I don't think he's ready so I don't want him to—" I just decide to stay quiet. The lie wasn't coming out as smoothly as it sounds in my head.

"Could it be because he's a lie?"
I was shocked but I wasn't at the same time. The fact that no one picked it up earlier really surprised me.

"And that you're dating Umar?"
My mouth hung open.
What the hell??!!

He smiles "You think I didn't notice? Women can't hide it when they're around someone they like"

I was feeling so guilty "I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you but he insisted on keeping it a secret"
He nods "I know, I know my brother all too well"

"I'm sorry"
"No need to apologize, last time I checked marrying your cousin isn't a taboo"
I huff "Yeah but he keeps bringing up excuses"

"Like what?"
"That Baba and Mama would accept our relationship"

He chuckles "They'd be ecstatic" he sits up "Look, Aisha you're my sister just like Zainab is, I care about you and I try to protect you as much as I do her. To me you two are one and the same, at least you're less frustrating and stubborn—Umar is my younger brother so I know him like the back of my hands and though it might hurt, I don't think Umar would ever to be ready to marry you. I talked to him about it already and I think you should end things as well. It's not like I'm against you two but Umar is very unserious and I know he'll just waste your time and break your heart. Because if I stay quiet about this and he proves me right, you'll hate him and you'd hate us too and I can't lose my sister"

I smile.
Honestly, it broke my heart to hear that Umar doesn't have the intention to marry me but I think I needed the dose of reality and I'm thankful it came from Ya Ahmed, I really am.

"So? What should I do? I doubt Baba would just let me be"
"I'll think of something, okay"

I nod "Thank you"
"You're welcome and that's what I'm here for anyway, protect you from any loser that tries to play with you"

I smile wider.
"I think I might be able to get some sleep"I say ad I get to my feet.
And cry too.

"Okay, make sure you pray before you sleep"
"I will".

"Goodnight"
"Goodnight Ayeesha".

•

Abdulrazaq's POV.

"It's exhausting" I tell my mother.

"Abdulrazaq, he has been trying to make it up to you. He's trying to make things right and you can't keep hating him forever. Forgive him"
I huff "Ma, I know but please don't try to force it, I don't want to" I say before I excuse myself.

Umar and I have been friends since childhood so he has always been close to my mother as well. Apparently he met up with her and told her that I have been ignoring him. He has always been the type to do whatever to get what he wants but not with me, I'm not one of his pawns.
 
I have a feeling he wants something. He and I had a fight about a year ago and for some reason he wants to make amends now? He always has a reason for anything he does so I know he's after something.

:

It's a weekend so I just wore a jeans and t-shirt with my favorite black slides.

I was led straight to the living room when I arrived.
Apparently he's out, he called and begged for me to wait so I decided to write an email, I've been thinking of writing it all day but my mind keeps drifting elsewhere.

"Hello"
I raise my head.
A girl stood looking at me with an anxious smile, she was wearing a black veil and white veil.

"Hey" I simply say back. She's pretty, just not my type though.

"He'll be arriving soon"
I nod "He informed me but thank you". I say back before quickly writing up the rest of my email.

I notice her sit across me nervously, I couldn't help but get curious.
"Is everything okay?"

She nods "Yes, it's just that he told me to keep his guest company before he arrives" she replies shyly.

It's unusual as I've been here a lot of times but she can do so if she pleases. So I nod.

I finished writing my email, sent it and kept the phone aside which made the room highly uncomfortable.

"So Zainab, right?" I ask trying to lessen the awkwardness.
She shakes her head "Actually I'm not, I'm Aisha, his cousin".
"Oh sorry, I just assumed"

She nods and looks at me expectantly "He never told you about me?"
"Well, he did tell me his cousin lived with them but never anything relating to it. But it's nice to officially meet you"

She smiles "You as well. So you haven't met Zainab either?"
"I have a few times when we were younger though".

"Ah"
And then we had one conversation after the other, she's not that bad actually. After a while, he finally decides to show up.

He sat next to Aisha.
"Sorry, I had work piled up"
"On a weekend?" She asks annoyed.

"Yes" he says back.
She gets up but he holds her hand "Please stay"
She hesitates but sits back down eventually.

He turns to me "I was so thankful you agreed to see me and even waited, I'm really happy you've had a change of heart"

I chuckle "Change of heart? Don't be stupid. I came here to warn you. Don't ever call or see my mother again, it's a final warning"
He huffs "Are you really doing this?"

"Does it seem like a joke to you?"
"Come on Abdul, you and I have been friends for too long to let trivial things get between us"

"Really? Umar why is she here?" I ask him.
Aisha looked confused.

"What? You like what you see? She's your toe isn't she?"
She turns and looks at him offended.

"Have you gone mad? What do you take me for?" She stands and smiles at me "I'm sorry he can really be stupid at time" she walks out.

Umar never ceases to amaze me. He was cheaply offering his cousin to make up for what he did.

"You're really hopeless and I've warned you" I get up and leave.

::