Her Hidden Lies

6: Secrets.

Aisha's POV.

I was casually scrolling Instagram looking for the perfect style for my dress.
I've always looked forward to doing this, I just imagined that Umar would be the groom but I guess this is the will of God.

Zainab comes in, sitting across me.
"I'm going out"
"Where to?" I ask raising my head.

"Just out"
"With Khalil?" I ask with a wink.
She shakes her head "Nah, I'm going to Amira's, you know I wash around when she had her baby so I want to take advantage of this free day to see her".

"Okay, my regards"
"Come with me" she pouts.
"You know Amira and I don't jell well, I don't think going is a good idea" I reply back apologetically.

"That's fine, see you later" she says before she exits the living room.

•

Zainab's POV.

I really don't understand why Aisha doesn't like Amira. She won't tell me why.

Khalil parks infront of the house.
"What time should I come pick you up?"

"How about 4pm?"
He nods "That's fine"
I smile "I told Baba I'd be back by six so when you pick me up we can get some alone time before you drop me off at home".

He smiles even wider "Sounds like a plan"
I give him a peck on the cheek "Bye then"

.

Amira and I have been talking nonstop since I arrived. There's always something new going on with people we know, people are really interesting.

She huffs "So? Why didn't Aisha come with you?"

I knew she'd ask.
She always asks.

"She's busy with the wedding preparations, she would have tagged along"
She smiles "I know she doesn't like me, you don't need to make excuses for her. I get it"

"You know but you always seem to ask. Plus I don't think she doesn't like you, it's just that Aisha doesn't hang out with my friends".

"That's not why" she says cockily.
I raise my eyebrows "It seems like you know. Update your friend"

She smiles "Because I dated Umar".
"Umar?"
"Yes, Umar. Your brother".

I nod "Yeah, she and Ya Umar are close, she's just being protective".
She laughs "Really? You still can't tell? Aisha and Umar had a thing, they dated".

"Come on Amira. Don't start with your delusional stories. Aisha presently doesn't like Umar".
She shakes her head "I swear it, Umar told me himself".

I gasp.
Could it really be true.

"Maybe I should come back later"
I turn around and see a girl standing by the door. She looked really familiar.

"Haba, just come in"
She walks in and sits on the couch next to Amira.

"Zainab, this is Humaira. She's Abdulrazaq's sister"
I didn't want to believe it, because that meant she might have just heard what we said.

"Which Abdulrazaq?" I ask in complete denial.
"Come on. Abdulrazaq. Umar's childhood friend".
I really wasn't sure what to do.

So I smile "Oh, it's nice to meet you"
"Nice to finally meet my sister inlaw as well".

I nod.
I felt dizzy, really dizzy already.

•

Turns out Humaira is a cousin to Amira's husband and that's how they got to know each other. We talked for a while, at first I could calm down because he might have overheard us and snitch to her brother but then eventually I let loose, acting suspicious would only make things worse and it's not like cousins don't date, right?

Now I was just hurt Aisha would keep the relationship from me. Me.

For how long where they together?
When did it start?
Was she double dating he and Salim?
What the hell don't I know?

By 4:13 Khalil was already outside waiting for me.
I smile when I enter the car.

"What's wrong?"
"Huh?"
"Your face looks flustered"

I couldn't help but smile "You noticed?"
"Of course I did, I know you. So? What happened?"

"I'm confused"
"About what? Maybe I can help you detangle it"

I nod "I'll tell you as you drive"
He starts driving.
"Aisha kept something from me and I just found out"

He nods. "Is it something that affects you?"
"No"

"Is it something that will be bad for her or ruin her or her image?"
"No"

"Is it something your parents wouldn't agree to?"
"No, I don't think so"

"Then she isn't compelled to tell you. It's personal and it won't cause any problems for you, her of your parents so she isn't inclined to tell you".

"But I tell her everything"
He nods again, a habit.
"Yes but that doesn't mean she has to tell you everything"

"So I can't confront her?"
"You can, maybe to tell her you're hurt because you'd expect her to share vital information about her life with you as you do with her but if she says she didn't want to then you can't push it, it's not like she has to anyway"

I huff "Fine"
"Good. So? When you say you tell her everything does that include—" he trails off raising his eyebrows.

I smirk in response.
"So yes?"
I laugh "No, not that".

•

I found Aisha and Ya Ahmed talking outside, laughing. I really wanted to talk to her.

"Aisha, can I talk to you?" I ask.
She looks at me weirdly and smiles "What's up?"

"Preferably alone"
"Maybe it's something she doesn't want me to hear" Ya Ahmed says standing.

I shake my head "It's not about me, it's about you" I say to her.
"Then just say it. I don't think there's anything I've done to hide".

"I'm not sure you would like that"
"It's fine" she insists.

"Maybe you need space" Ya Ahmed says.
She looks at me annoyed "Zainab we're talking about something important. You can just say it".

I huff.
"Is it true you and Umar dated?"
There was a strange silence, not of shock though. Because Aisha looked unfazed by my question and Ya Ahmed wasn't surprised at all.

"You knew?" I ask Ya Ahmed.
He nods "I did. A few months back actually. But Mami and Baba cannot find out, okay?"

I just stared at them.
"Okay?" He asks again.
I nod.
"I'll go get ready for the mosque" he excused himself.

I sit next to Aisha.
"So I was the only one left in the dark?"
She looks at me apologetically "I'm sorry, it's just that it's not something easy to say".

I nod.
"Who told you?"
"Amira did"

She rolls her eyes annoyed "I'm not surprised. She'd do anything to make me look bad"
I shake my head "She didn't know that I wasn't aware"

"Whatever"
"And Humaira might have heard us"

Her mouth drops.
"As in Abdulrazaq's sister?"
I nod "But she told me not to worry. That it didn't matter anyway and that you shouldn't worry too much about it. That the past doesn't matter"

She releases a heavy breath.
"Oh God! I was going to faint"

I burst out laughing.

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