Shirk in Disguise

Chapter 28

Azeema's breakup with Faysal really shook her to the core. Within days, she grew more and more withdrawn to the keen observation of her friend. Playing the part of the concerned sister, Bilqees asked her what the matter was.

"Faysal broke up with me," Azeema replied in a voice that didn't seem to be hers.

"OMG, but why?" Bilqees asked, feigning concern.

"I don't know," Azeema sobbed. "I really don't want to believe it, but his text message is still there on my phone. It's really over between us."

Bilqees reached out for her friend's phone, punched in the password and opened the text messages. Due to their closeness, each knew the other's password. She read and reread the message before she let out a heavy sigh of contentment which Azeema mistook for one of pity.

When Bilqees finally looked up from the phone, her face was devoid of expression. "I'm really sorry that it ended this way," she cooed.

"Don't be. It's my fault for trusting him with my heart."

"You know most men are actually monsters, sheep in wolves' clothing," Bilqees continued in a bid to make her friend feel better.

"But your Dad isn't like that," Azeema pointed out. "He absolutely adores your mother!" She also believed that her own father was exceptional too, as his posthumous dedication to his beloved wife implied. The memories of her time with him seemed so far away but even while younger, she'd always felt that the love the man had for her, vast as it was, couldn't measure up to the one he had for her mother.

Bilqees almost faltered as she remembered her mother's confession the other day. Her father didn't absolutely adore her mother; he was only forced to do so. "Of course!" she nevertheless said to Azeema.

"You should've accepted Sameer's proposal," Bilqees continued. "He's really into you..."

"I'm really not ready to go into that again," Azeema indignantly replied.

"But at least think about it," Bilqees advised.

"I won't." Azeema could be stubborn at times especially when her mind was made up. "Just tell him to look for another Damsel in Distress." Her heart was sealed. She could've regretted her actions, expressed remorse and repented but her ego wouldn't allow it. Instead, looking for an outlet for her anger, she directed her grievances towards the male species in general.

"Oh, alright then." Bilqees replied, standing up and moving towards the door. "I'll see you later. Please don't worry yourself sick."

"I'll try not to," said Azeema as she curled up on her bed, trying to ignore the feeling in the pit of her gut.

As she lay on her bed and watched her friend's receding back, she suddenly had the notion that rejecting Sameer's proposal was a mistake - a huge one for that matter. However, her pride wouldn't let her take back her words. She warded off the nagging thoughts and rolled over. She'd closed off her heart to men.

A couple of months rolled by and Azeema became more and more secluded. She made herself believe that she could forget the painful experience but it wasn't that easy. The city of Zaria wasn't that big and she couldn't help but come across reminders of her past with Faysal.

One fateful Sunday evening, the two friends went out shopping and were quite enjoying the outing. To Bilqees's relief, Azeema was slowly becoming less withdrawn, hence lessening her feeling of guilt. They jovially pushed their loaded carts in front of them as they exchanged small talk.