Something Different Something More (ON HOLD)

Chapter Fifteen

Recap

Yasmeen's father is getting her married to Salman and Yazeed feels so helpless because he would lose her.

Yazeed's POV

It's morning and I've been up all night trying to come up with something..anything to help yasmeen and my mind keeps narrowing to just one thing.

But how sure was I that it was going to work or that she would agree to it. There was only one way to find out.

I arrived at the fashion house which has undergone a major progress. In a few months, maybe two or three months, it would be ready. Somehow I don't want it to end because it'll mean I won't get to see her pretty face everyday but if all goes as planned. I'm hoping everything would fall into place.

She had not yet arrived so I made myself busy with the work at hand.

I felt her presence before I even saw her. I actually didn't think she would show up today because of the state she was in. I turned to look at her and I stopped dead in my tracks. She came in with that guy Salman and she was smiling at something he said.

When she saw me, she gave a small smile. "Hey, how are you?"

I was confused. Wasn't she the one crying just yesterday. I stayed up all night looking for a solution for her and now this. I didn't know how I felt about it. Don't get me wrong,I'm glad she looks okay but thinking that she has resigned to her fate is what's breaking me. If she agreed to marry him...

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "I'm fine. How are you?"
I didn't bother to acknowledge the guy standing with a smug look.

"I'm fine. I just wanted to let you know that me and Salman," she turned and looked at him with a smile. "Are getting married in three months."

I had to compose myself. I wouldn't allow the guy the satisfaction to see me crumble like a piece of dried bread. They were both looking at me intently and I realised I hadn't said anything.

"Ma sha Allah, May Allah put barakah in it." I prayed for them and turned to leave before seeing any of their reaction. I grabbed my jacket to leave. I couldn't spend any more minute in here. It felt claustrophobic and I felt like I was suffocating. I could finally catch my breath when I went outside. I took deep breaths to calm myself and my heart that feels like it's being trampled upon.

I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't turn but I knew who it was. She just stood behind me and said nothing.

"I'm sorry. I had no other choice." She finally spoke.

I just stood there staring into space contemplating whether to answer her or not.

"You always have a choice." I said and left without turning back.

***
Yasmin's POV

I haven't seen Yazeed since the day I broke the news of my wedding to Salman. That was two weeks ago. I didn't mean for things to end like this. I had no choice. Salman has been good to me. He has been more thoughtful and caring. He wasn't rushing me into things. He was everything I wanted him to be. But that wasn't enough.

I don't feel anything for him as I do for Yazeed. With Yazeed, there was fireworks but with salman,it was plain. No fire, no colours.
I wish I wouldn't have to do this but Baba can be relentless and I couldn't defy him.

"Ya yashmeen." Afrah called out. We were back home. She was feeling much better now and so excited about my upcoming wedding. If only she knew. Her name was on the bottom of the transplant list. It would take weeks or months for her name to reach the top. Since she was feeling better,we decided to bring her back home. The hospital felt depressing.

"Yes,princess."

"Where's your fwend yazweed. He promised to read pwincess stories to me." She asked innocently. This wasn't the first time she was asking about him in the past two weeks. And each time,I gave her the same response.

"He's busy princess but don't worry he'll come soon."

But he never came. It's like he disappeared from the face of the earth. His phone wasn't going through. Some days, I find myself wandering to mama Aisha's place just to see if he was there. I once asked her and she said he travelled. That was it. Nothing more.

♠️

My wedding was fast approaching and I still can't stop thinking about Yazid. I still can't stop thinking about how he made me feel in the few months we've gotten to know each other. Could I really spend the rest of my life with someone else knowing that the feeling Yazid elicited in me still exists?
Could I really sacrifice my happiness for the sake of the father who doesn't even act like a father to me?
Could I really let go of all the hatred I held for Salman?

I couldn't stop thinking about all of these. I don't even know where Yazid is. It's been a month since he disappeared. Since I told him about my wedding with Salman. I know it hurt him. We've never really spoken about what we felt for each other but our eyes said it all. I could see the hurt and betrayal he felt when I told him I was going to marry Salman.

But what right does he have to feel that way when he never explicitly told me how he feels. We've just been dancing around in circles, him being elusive and me being eager to please. But by Allah, I miss him so much. I miss him so much that it hurts. I can't believe he just left without a goodbye. He still has a contract with me that hasn't expired. He left his work with me unfinished. I mean who does that?

At this point, I don't know whether to be mad at him or not.

I sighed as I dialled his number for the fiftieth time and hear it go through his voicemail. Again.

I keep telling myself that I just need to hear from him one last time and then I will move on and be Salman's happy wife but deep down I know that's not true. If I hear from him, I will undoubtedly find a way to break this engagement. If only he'd just tell me how he feels. If only he'll prove to me that he was worth it.

The cool night breeze made me shiver. I stood up to close the window when I noticed a piece of paper stuck on the window sill. I froze there. Since I received the first one and discarded it as a mistake, that somehow the breeze blew it into my bedroom, I forgot all about it.
But now here was another one.

I took the paper, quickly closed my window and made my way over to my bed. With trembling hands and my heart racing, I opened the paper. The writing was the same. Scrawled in a child like way. It said :

You haven't seen anything yet. The fun is yet to begin.

It was vague and it still didn't give me any clues about who sent it or why. I didn't know whether to be terrified or not. I couldn't help but think about who was messing with me, or how they had access to my window. I tucked the paper with the first one inside my poetry book and decided to get to the bottom of it. But first, I have a wedding to plan.

***
A/N: I don't have any valid excuse for not updating for a very loong time except that medical school is so hectic and I hardly have time to write. I miss writing. And I'm sorry, forgive me?😇 I'll try my ultimate best to update as much as I can. You lot have probably forgotten the story line😬  but if you still follow and  want me to continue, leave a comment of encouragement .🤗❤️

See you soon!

Love,
Siyyamah✨