MAKESHIFT HUSBAND (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER NINE

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Zainab turned around and admired herself in the mirror one more time. Satisfied with what she was seeing, she patted her butts one last time and pushed her boobs up.

She walked to the crib and smiled on Amir who smiled when he saw his mother. She carried him and gave him a kiss on his forehead. He laughed and babbled some baby language swiping his hand around.

Zainab shifted her face back so he wouldn't ruin her makeup. She heard the gateman pulling the gate and a peep through the window confirmed Kamal's return.

Hurrying to the parlor with her son, she opened the doors just in time to welcome Kamal.

He was shocked for a split minute but composed himself quite quickly. Ever since their return from Abuja, he had no idea what her family had put in her head but she changed and put a pause on everything, including the bedroom business.

Now as he looked at her in the tight black gown she was wearing which revealed almost everything, he felt his trousers tightening and right there and then, he wanted to kiss her.

Zainab enjoyed the attention Kamal was giving to her and she didn't miss his reaction one bit. Her mother had been right when she said 'a woman mustn't let a man have everything. Starve him for a while and the next time you gave it to him, he would lap it up like a dog'

"Welcome home"
She placed a chaste kiss on his cheeks and led him inside not forgetting to add a swish to her walk.

"To what do I owe this surprise?" He inquired as they entered the bedroom.

Zainab gave a short laughter that tingled from his head to his feet.

"Take it as an apology for what happened two weeks ago." She unbuttoned his jacket and peeled it off him. " I've realized my wrong and I intend to make it up you "

He laughed and took Amir from her. Blowing air on his son's stomach, he laughed along with the infant for a while then handed him to his mother.

"I'll be looking forward to that but first, I need a bath"

As dinner passed and Kamal had his wife that night, he thought he would forgot about everything about that woman but to his chagrin, he almost called her name in the heat of the moment.

Zainab detected a change in Kamal after everything had settled.

Maybe he didn't have enough? She smiled to herself. Of course he wouldn't be okay so easily. After all it's been 2 weeks already.

"What's the matter? She ran a hand across his arms. "Want some more?"

He shook his head and removed her from his arms lightly. "Not now Zainab. I'm too tired"

He grabbed a towel and went to the toilet. As the shower ran, so did the tears on Zainab's face.

He'd called Zainab. Zainab and not zee baby or zee or anything but Zainab right after they finished making love.

He seemed so lost in thoughts as if something was weighing heavily on his mind.

What was he thinking about even in this private moment of theirs?

Her eyes lightened and she sat up immediately. He couldn't be thinking of that woman could he?

Merely the thought of it made her feel dizzy for a minute and she closed her eyes until she heard him walk out.

Her eyes followed him to the wardrobe where he pulled a jallabiya over his head and back to the chair where the praying mat laid on.

"Were you thinking of her while you touched me?" She blurted out.

Kamal stilled for a minute, then turned his back on so she wouldn't see his expression. "Think of who Zainab? Don't be ridiculous"

He spread the mat and stood on it eager to start praying so she would let him be.

"Look at me Kamal" she turned him so he was facing her. "Were you thinking of that woman, the other woman as you touched me?"

He gathered his expression in what he hoped was the most sincere he'd ever look and shook his head.

"Of course I wasn't." He put on an angry farce. "How could you even think that of me? Am I that low in your eyes? Remember what I told you, I'm just her makeshift husband and all this will be over in about six months."

Zainab smiled and released him. "Pray for me" she whispered and entered the bathroom.

As soon as she was gone, he released a breath he didn't even know he was holding. That was a close call.

Tomorrow he would go over to her house but only to relieve his religious duties as a husband.

He would check if she lacked anything or needed something. He would be there simply because it was his duty and not that he hoped to catch her naked or that his heart sped up at the prospect of it happening.

Nope he didn't have any indecent thoughts, thank you very much.

Zainab sat on the edge of the bathtub and sighed. She didn't believe Kamal's answer even a little bit.

His eyes and faced spelt it all. He had been thinking of the other woman.

Jealousy burned through her like lava hit a forest. She had never hated anyone as much as she hated the other woman who came into their lives and disrupted everything.

She would deal with her separately while taking her time but for now, she needed to call her mother and discuss how they would handle Kamal.

Even God would understand that she had no choice. As a woman, she needed to protect her what was her and fight outsiders who trespassed on her territory.

Surely he would understand that she just had to do whatever it took not because she had a choice.

Her heart felt lighter after she made a decision and she soaked away the problems weighing her mind away in the warm water feeling so happy and lighthearted that she could just start singing.