MAKESHIFT HUSBAND (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

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Maryam clutched her purse closer and hastened her steps. She still heard him chasing after her and she wondered if it would look suspicious if she broke into a run immediately.

Her frustration increased a top notch when the streets looked swept away of bikes and empty keke napeps.

"Maryam" Abdulhaqq reached out and grabbed her hand. "Just listen to me"

"Let go of me" she tried to break free of his grip but he was too strong and people were starting to stare.

It came as a surprise to her that she was afraid of Kamal accidentally passing this street and seeing the two of them.

He already felt she was a loose woman and seeing her with her ex all being touchy-feely would simply add to his convictions.

"Fine" Maryam relented. "You want to talk, then let go of me and talk."

Abdulhaqq sighed and released her slowly. She backed away and he resisted the urge to grab her again.

"Can we talk somewhere else? Maybe we can go to M&M's and have a bite while we talk." He looked at her intently and added "you look a bit pale"

Maryam looked away and held her purse tighter as though Abdulhaqq would snatch it away from her.

She stood quietly and waited as he went back to get his car. The drive to M&M's was short and quiet.

Maryam's head was spinning and her throat felt like someone was running sand paper through it.
She hastily unbuckled as soon as the car stopped and rushed out to take a deep breath.

The air freshener in the car was suffocating her, coupled with Abdulhaqq's peculiar cologne.

"Are you okay?" She heard real concern in his voice and nodded, taking a few steps away from him.

"Let's go in and talk." She motioned. "I need to get home real quick"

Abdulhaqq pursed his lips when he noticed the invisible walls she had put between them. Although they didn't indulge in physical contact while dating, she had been more free and comfortable with him. Right now, right now it felt like she was here but at the same time she wasn't.

He led the way into the fancy eatery. They settled into a table and he placed their orders.

"You've always loved samosa and Coke" Abdulhaqq smiled fondly at the memory, feeling a bit smug that he still knew Maryam and that was a part of her he would always have.

"Sorry can I have a bottle Team instead? And please change the samosa to fish roll"

"Are you doing this to tell me things have changed?"

As soon as the waiter turned his back, Abdulhaqq pursued.

"You know what I mean" he added hotly at Maryam's look of confusion. "You've always hated fish rolls because you dislike the fishy smell and team has always been too bitter for you. So are you doing this to spite me?"

"You're over thinking it" Maryam rolled her eyes, deaprately fighting an inner battle to keep herself together. Now was not the time to show weakness. "You've placed yourself in such a high pedestal Abdul"

"I'm sorry"

His sudden apology startled her.

"I am very sorry for what happened Mairo. I should've listened to you, I should have forgiven you...."

"And just who do you think you are to have forgiven me for my past?" Maryam cut in, her temper getting the best of her. "The only thing I owe you was the truth which I hid from you but my past is my past and if there's anyone I should seek forgiveness from for it then it's the Almighty and not you"