THE LOVE CONTRACT (ON HOLD!)

The love contract- One path closes, another one opens.

A few, lengthy days had dragged on and the both of us began picking up the same routine;  I'd wake up, make something for Khalil to take to work, travel to either uni or work, come home to rest and begin making dinner for when he would arrive home, once again.

Most days he was later than usual and those days gave me enough time to learn his small habits. He was simply a workaholic and had no time to waste at home either, devoting his spare time in his study if not at work.

Some days I'd see him and some, he was a stranger in his own home. This was life for me. Gradually I began turning into the so called 'perfect and dutiful' wife that he wanted me to be. I lost my wild, loud-mouthed personality, the one that got me into trouble in the first place and even Isaac could suss that I wasn't my usual self at uni.

I figured that Khalil also probably had noticed a change in my character. His commands were obeyed and we tended to stay out of each others way, yet I continued to make the effort to cook, clean and prepare for when his parents would visit. It all happened too quickly and naturally that I hadn't noticed until it recently hit me that doing housewife duties became a habit rather than a task.

The atmosphere in the apartment had grown to be quiet most of the time. I began getting used to seeing the same fancy decor and the same spacious rooms, which I counted there to be nine all together. I discovered there were four floors with empty spaces and a rooftop in  which I visited so often. I decided I would soon begin to create a prayer room and study room for myself that I could use for my remaining months.

We wouldn't argue anymore, just learned to get on with life. Together.

I visited my old apartment as some of my belongings had remained there, disregarded. I began sorting the things I would need in the the space of six months which included my laptop, books and clothes. Six months began to feel years away once I had assembled my things in the right places; making sure not to settle things too quickly.

My studies at school continued to stress me out as I had a bunch of final exams heading my way. It was either make it or break it. I ran my fingers along the keyboard of my laptop, hoping the words would suddenly form in my mind magically; yet this time, my brain seemed not to be functioning properly.

My numb arms were sore from being perched on the bed for way too long and laying on my stomach, just as I had spent most of my mornings and afternoons busily typing away.

I also hadn't eaten much either and regularly took my pills whenever I felt overly consumed by hunger. Other than the fact that I began noticing a change as my cheek,and collar bones were now fully prominent, they had helped immensely.

I snapped back into reality as my phone began ringing on the side drawer and I groaned at the sudden switch of position whilst I got up, letting out half a yawn.

The word 'work' was sprawled across the screen and I furrowed my brows in confusion, wondering why my work place were calling me so randomly before I swiped and answered it.

"Hello?" I greeted, as I staggered up on the edge of the bed whilst stretching my aching muscles.

"Aaliyah, hey, it's Zack," my boss uttered warmly.

"Oh hey Zack! I don't have a shift till later, is something up?" I chuckled nervously.

"About that..." I could hear him exhaling over the line.

"What's up?" I asked, beginning to get more intrigued by the minute as my pen tapped gently on the edge of my lips.

"Aaliyah we seem to have a problem," he said, "We have someone that is willing to do full time so we've become fully staffed at the moment..."