perfect imperfection

questions

" Look I don't mean to hurt you or anything ......." I stopped listening I could feel myself drifting away from reality

When I was 12 years old I remember when news had reached us that my sister Summaya died. I didn't cry though I was the closest to her I just sat there and stared into nothing for hours. That was the first time I saw my mother angry at my father she screamed and cursed at him for marrying her daughter off to a monster. He just slapped her in front of everyone to fix his ego. Before the incidence once in a while you could find happiness in my home when my Father was not thinking about money but after her death she left with all the joy my mother watched as Hamdi was dragged by my father to the same faith Summaya had because the man doubled the price he paid . My father was selling his children

I could hear someone saying from afar "Hala, Hala can you hear me Hala, Hala"

I was coming back to reality. I saw Mohammad he had his hands around my arms jolting me frantically. I pushed him as hard as I could he fell on the bed. "Don't touch me" I screamed at him. I ran out of the room .

I asked for mother Raqiba's permission to visit my mother, she agreed reluctantly and on the condition I go with Salmah. The minute I arrived home I thanked God my father was not home I was not sure he would allow me in none of my sisters came home after marriage not even for visits we only sometimes see them at large functions.

My mother was extremely surprised to see me, she looked at me as if I was not her daughter. Finally she snapped back "sweetie what are you doing here. Your father won't be too happy" too happy that's an understatement he would be raging with anger. She continued "My dear what did you do it's barely been 5 days"

"Mother seriously I didn't do anything" I started . She gave me a big hug. I told my mother everything that happened in the presence of Salmah she had insisted the queen asked her not to leave my side for a second. My mother half smiled half laughed at my dilemma. I frowned at her. "Hala my dear, every disappointment is surely a blessing in disguise. You know I hated your father when we first got married but after the birth of Summaya we grew closer and understood each other more. My child a child brings a couple closer plus don't you want to be known as Queen mother, look you got lucky this time you could visit me but you need to be matured enough to handle your marriage now off you go, go dear before your father comes back"

I bid my mother farewell before leaving for the palace, the ride to the palace was very quiet I had a lot to think about, my mother was right I am in this now, so instead of living my life in depression I might just fight for a happy life every woman deserves I will do this for Summaya sake after all I am beautiful and confident. I will charm my way in.

That night before going to bed , I paced up and down the room silently praying Mohammad would come to the room tonight I need to talk to him I have to fix this he probably thinks am a silly cry baby . I waited for a while but no sign of him, I eventually gave up and went to bed that's when I heard a clicking sound, feeling tense I said "who's there"

"It's me" a tired Mohammad said

"Ohh umm well am sorry about earlier, I should have kept it together and I appreciate your honesty" I rushed everything out

"it's all right"

"And uhm just don't force me to do anything or else I might do something dangerous"

"Yeah, I can tell you can do dangerous things from the push earlier" he smirked

I just rolled my eyes

He got a pillow and slept on the right side of the bed too close to the edge a slight push would knock him off

I woke up extremely late the next morning. Oh no I really don't want to see the fury of mother Raqiba. I will take my bath and say my prayes then head for the kitchen . I opened the bathroom door and oh my God

"Aaaaaargh" we both screamed in unison, he slammed the door on my face . what the heck just happened I mentally palm slapped my forehead several times, I had forgotten about him I was use to having the room to myself. Okay we both overreacted its not like he was naked he had his boxers on. Calm down I tell myself he was not naked

That morning he asked the servant to pack his breakfast for him, I'm sure if he had his way we would stay in separate rooms.

The following day my father in law called for both me and Mohammad. The kings lounge was truly magnificent it had all the luxuries one could imagine I think my father would have a heart attack at the sight of this , too bad only royals are allowed in the main palace.

"Salaam Father" I said

"Father you called for us"

" Ah yes I did. I wanted to introduce you two to someone, who might be very helpful to you"

I finally noticed a middle aged woman sitting at the far end of the room. That's a surprise , mother Raqiba strictly asked me never to bring outsiders to this part pf the palace. Why is she an exception plus she is from the west judging from her blond hair and her veil that barely covers her hair

"Hi , I am Natasha Butler. I am a counselor but I work as an interpreter for the king, he has disclosed to me his concerns about you guys so I'm here to help"

" I will take my leave now" father said as he left the lounge

" You guys should have a seat" the counsellor said

We both sat at polar ends of the room, "come on you guys are married,sit right next to each other" the last part she said sounded like an order. We both obeyed her instructions. She introduced herself the she gave a thirty minute lecture on love marriage tolerance and stuff like that I wasn't listening . I searched for a ring on her hand but there was no sign. So I asked ,my curiosity getting the better of me " Are you married". She looked at me in horror I definitely pressed the wrong button and for the first time since the session Mohammad's attention was caught. She hurriedly replied " uhm no. I will be leaving you guys with a little exercise okay you need to ask each other these ten questions , I will see you tomorrow" she handed a leaflet to Mohammad and was about to hand one to me but retreated probably because she thinks im illiterate . I feel no urge to redeem myself.

After dinner that night Mohammad asked me too meet him in the room. So I didn't help clear up. I found him sitting on a mat so I joined him .he started " whats your favourite color"

"yellow"

" yellow , seriously anyways"

" what do you have against the color yellow . it screams positivity and hope and that's something I need"

" okay chill no need for some philosophic lecture about a color. Question 2" "No wait lemme ask you to whats your favourite color"

" its gold"

"why".

" is this necessary" I nodded at him "well when I was abroad studying that color reminded me of home – the palace in the modern world the color gold is not used so much"

"Question 2 age and date of birth"

" 1st may 1990, 17 years old, you?"

"1st may 1984, 23 years old, birthday mates huh okay next question"

"Is this whole thing necessarily, I mean the session thing we both know that no amount of session will fix this , lets find a way out"

He drops the paper and says " yah , lets pretend"

"good idea, its plan then. Mission perfect couple"

The following day I did all my chores as usual then it was time for the session. She arrived the minute it was 11 extreme punctuality . we sat at the dinning table this time . Mohammad sat at the head of the table while I was on his right and she was on his left

She started "firstly have you guys completed the work I gave you, you know getting to know each other, so you guys must say 5 things about each other" she looked sideways at both of us signaling for one of us to speak but I don't think I know 5 things oh god we should have just done it now we have to impress her in order for her to leave u alone

Mohammad"hala you should start" what is he mad why is he throwing orders at me okay I can do this

" um... his favourite color is golden and his birthday is the first of June " wait we are birthday mates