Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Amira took another glimpse of him again; there was so much to admire about him. She had to admit he was an attractive man, but the sad part was, he wasn't hers anymore. He paced across the room in even strides, his feet gently pounding on the floor. By the looks on his face, she knew her words made the situation more tough.

She only had one wish, one wish; to go back to his house. Not that she feels remorseful for what she did, not that she would agree to continue living with a co wife, No! She wished to go back, but as the only wife. “We have a daughter, isn't that what you wanted? To start a family?” She asked, staring at him warily. He halted, slowly averting his gaze to her. “Why won't we just wipe out Dalia from our image and start things over, um? Begin a new life, start afresh. I promise to be the best wife, the type you always wanted. I promise to be the most supportive wife ever. Take me back, let me show you the new me, the woman you love...”

“Oh please I never in my life told you that I loved you.” He cuts her off with his bitter words. “You aren't even remorseful for what you did to the girl? The girl that implored me to come here and make things right with you whereas I don't want to be with you. I really thought you’d change after I sent you home but I was wrong. Nothing has changed about you; you are still that same self- centred, egoistic woman I regret getting married to at the first place. For the past few years you have done nothing to me but hurt me, destroy my house, my peace of mind....” He let the words trail off, staring at her accusatively.

He looked at his daughter that was cradled in her arms. “Some things are meant to happen, just not meant to be. Some things are meant to come into your life, just not meant to stay.”

“So you mean that...”

“I don't want you back,” he declared not minding he sounded to harsh. The words splashed into her senses as if there were icy water. She stares at him for one long moment.... Then looks away. “Then I can’t continue taking care of your daughter! Find her a new mother.” He gaped at her before laughing it out heartily. He walked across the room as he stretched out his hand to take Adila away.

The door of the living room were thrown open, and daddy and muhsin’s father made an entrance. A chill runs down his spine when he beheld his father’s angry gaze. He squatted down, greeting them but daddy only answered. Amira ducked her head, already starting the water works.

“Don't worry, amira you’re going back to your husband’s house today and I would like to see who would send you out again!” His father spoke boldly as he glowered at him. “No, Alhaji... I thought we have spoken about this? We are here to make a final decision not cause commotion. And like I said before, forcing them will not bring any solution.” Muhsin’s father glared at him again before averting his gaze.

“Muhsin,” daddy called out. Muhsin answered him, settling his eyes on daddy. “I think three months is more than enough to make a decision. You have been playing with our minds and that is enough, you should make a final decision, right now.”

Silence followed afterwards, making him more anxious but he had to gather his courage and say what was on his mind . Muhsin looked at his father see him already staring at him. His father nodded his, giving him a go ahead to speak. He took a deep breath first before speaking. “Daddy, I can’t take her back. Maybe it’s just not meant to be and maybe it’s for the better.”

To his surprise, daddy smiled and nodded his head but doesn't look like a pleased smile, rather a forced one. “Very well then. The decision has been made, and you have heard what he has said. This should be a lesson to you. May Allah choose what’s best for you.” He spoke, eyes on his daughter. After daddy had finished his lectures, amira left the place chanting curses on him not bothering that their parents were still there.

“You can go now, but meet me at home, later in the night, together with your wife.” His father addressed. Muhsin nodded his head, thanking them before he got to his feet and left.

A short time later, he arrived home. He met Dalia in the living room watching TV with a huge bowl of popcorn in front of her. She made eye contact with him before slowly getting to her feet. “You're home, finally. I've been waiting for you.” She wrapped her arms around his torso, despite the fact that her baby bump was making an obstruction. “But you were the one that chased me out at the first place.” She rests her chin on his chest as she pouted. “I changed my mind the moment you left but I was too lazy to call you back.”

When he laughed, he looked at her with such pure bliss that she couldn't help kiss him. He kissed her back soundly until finally pulling back. “When is she coming back?” She questioned looking at him vigilantly. He flashed her a sly smile, stroking her back. “She’s not coming back.” He told her. “And I would appreciate it if you don't talk about her anymore, okay?” He disclosed. A smile flickers at the corner of her mouth as she nodded. He smiled back before letting her.

Later that day after prayers, they got ready and headed to answer his father’s call. The two of them settled down, waiting to hear why he summoned them. “Uh... I wasn't actually happy that you didn't take amira back but maybe it’s for the best and not completely knowing what happened between you two, it doesn't give me the right to tell you to keep her or not. For this reason, I am sorry for the way I acted.” Muhsin grinned to reveal the straight, pearly teeth.

**

“Just close your eyes,” he insisted, almost ruining the surprise as he was eager to show her. She sighed defeatedly before covering her eyes with her hands. “This better be good, Yaya! You literally woke me up from a nap. Just pray it’s worth it else I'm going to snap your neck.” Ignoring her rants, he holds out two tickets before her face. “You can open your eyes now.” Slowly, she uncovers her eyes and stared at the tickets. “What’s this?” She asked taking it away from him. “Tickets? For what? To where?” She inquired, going through it.

“Keep checking,” he urged her, smiling. “Bora Bora? But.... I don't have a passport. I mean I do but I am sure it has expired.” He shrugged his shoulders before taking her into his arms. “I know about that. We’re going tomorrow to renew it, besides the trip is in like six, five weeks. I'm sure we can get it before then, right?”

Her lips curved upwards as she nodded. She enfold him in a gentle hug, and buried her face in his chest. A short time later, she raised her head to look at him. “This is one of the ways to show you how sorry I am.” He whispered into her ear before kissing her cheek. “I don’t even know how to start thanking you.”

“Just keep being you, that’s all I want.” He draw her closer and hugged her gently. He kissed her cheek as he whisper in a flirtatious manner.

“But how am I going to travel when I'm pregnant,” she asked suddenly. He laughed heartily, letting go of her. “Babe, you can still fly and besides you’re only five months far, right?” She nodded her head, unbeknownst to her.

The next morning, Dalia was still sleeping. She felt a rapid, hard smack on her shoulder. “Dalia, wake up! Wake up else I will hit you with a pillow,” Amrah warned still tapping her on the shoulder. “Armah, leave me alone!” She spat, still half asleep. “Amrah?” She opened her eyes swiftly before sitting up right.

“What are you doing here? Ugh you're so good at surprising me.” She uttered enfolding her in a tight embrace. “Yes and I am here to stay with you before your trip. Urgh I'm so jealous you get to go on a trip with your husband while I'll be here doing my usual routine of eat, pray and sleep.”

“Get a husband first if you want to enjoy life like this,” she teased her as she got off the bed. Dalia sauntered towards the bathroom. “Who says I don't have a husband now?” Amrah disclosed, making dalia to halt. She turned and looked at Amrah. “You have a boyfriend, don't you?” She questioned walking back to where Amrah was standing.

“Well let’s just your husband’s cousin has introduced himself to baba and hmmm... how do I say it....”

“You idiot and you’re just telling me? When did this happened? Why are you just telling me this now?” Dalia smacked her on her shoulder. “Hey, ouch.... It’s not my fault. It’s all part of my surprise.” Dalia squealed and threw her arms around her. “Spill everything, when did he confess? How did it all happen.” They settled down on the edge of the bed before Amrah told her how Yusuf visited her after Dalia had gone back home. And how he went to introduce himself to her father. “Now baba asked him to send his people.” Amrah squealed cheerfully.

“Aren't you even nervous about this, Amrah? I mean look how excited you look, you’re not even anxious that your life would completely change in just a short period of time. Marriage isn't entirely what you think.”

Amrah shrugged her shoulders off and stood up. “Nervous? Do you know how long I've been praying for this? Hehe, nervous my butt. I cannot wait to get married, believe me. I'm not nervous, not one bit. You should even see the look on his face. He's more excited than I am. a perfect match for me.” Dalia shook her head in disbelief. “Go take a shower, I've already made breakfast. Oh and your husband said he has left for work.” She hurried on with a blush.

A short while later, dalia came down stairs and met Amrah in the living room waiting for her. After she had her breakfast, she joined her in the living room and they continued conversing about Yusuf till it was Zuhr prayer time.

**

Muhsin gently cupped her cheeks and kissed her sweetly on the forehead, eyes, nose and cheeks. His lips lingered on her lips as he emotionally declared his love for her. “How is it possible that I love you more today than yesterday? I'm sure tomorrow, I would love you even more.”

Dalia rolled her eyes and giggled at his corny words. “It still won't clear the fact that you didn't tell me your cousin was interested in Amrah, mmhmm?” She raised a brow, staring up at him. “But I apologized to you and I wanted the girl to tell you herself.” He reasoned out.

“Yes I am still angry.” She pocked his nose and pulled it before freeing herself from his hold. “C’mon it’s been more than a week now, when will you forget this?” He followed her into the kitchen. She raised her shoulders in a shrug and continued checking for only God knows what in the fridge.

“You've had enough chocolates, I took them all.” She closed the fridge, fixing her gaze on him. “But... why would you do that to me, I mean to the baby? You want me to pass out? Touch, touch the baby, he’s moving.” She place his hand on her baby bump. “He’s the one that needs the chocolate not me.” She batted her lashes at him. He chuckled softly and shook his head. “You’re such a bad liar. And I am afraid you might get a sweet tooth if you keep taking chocolates nonstop. And who told you it’s a he?” He asked curiously.

“Trust me, I know it’s a boy. Already moving this much while at six months? Definitely a boy. Now where’s the chocolate?” She implored, cupping his cheeks in her palms. He raised his shoulder’s like she did earlier before exiting the kitchen.

She followed him out, swiftly, saying sweet nothings to him before throwing a fit of tantrum when he didn't buy her sweet words. “One bar, just one,” he concluded bringing out of the chocolates he hid in the veggie crisper which he knew she would never check. He packed the rest of the chocolate afterwards and left with it.

Weeks later, after Dalia has gotten her passport ready, they prepare for their vacation to Bora Bora. Dalia visited her mother when Amrah was returning before they finally left for their vacation.

After finally arriving at the airport, she finds herself on a plane with her husband. Just then, the pilot announces the plane’s descends. Holding his hand, she closed her eyes and relaxed for the plane to take off.

Hours later, after a tiring long flight, they finally arrived at their destination. They claimed their suitcases and haled a cab to the hotel she heard him mention. After one car ride, she steps out onto the ground of Bora Bora. She inhaled, gently rubbing her belly. There was an explosion in her brain... the good sort... the type that carries more possibilities than she could be conscious of. She could feel it, something great and wonderful awaits her. “Pinch me, I want make sure I'm not dreaming because this feels so unreal.” She beamed from ear to ear as she shined her eyes around the island.

He throws his head back, letting out a hearty laugh before clasping their hands together. “Wait till you see our suite, I've got something there for you.” They step foot into the most luxurious hotel in the entire island as the porters help with their suitcases. After checking in their suite, dalia wandered across the room and collapsed onto the bed, sighing happily as she sink into the soft mattress.

She opened her eyes, looking at the ceiling. She sits up right, staring at him as he arranged their suitcase in a corner. “Come join me, this bed is so soft. And the room...” She allowed the word to hang while she took a second glance at the enormous suite he booked for them. “Wait till you see this,” he muttered, walking towards the curtains. He opened it, revealing the entire hotel beach. Crossing, the room she joined him by the large window to appreciate the view.

“This was the reason why we had to delay our vacation for another week, well for you to finish your exams as well and also get this suite with this beautiful view at the same time.....” He paused, sighing. “I hope you like it.” She avert her gaze from him to the beautiful view staring back at her. “Like it? I love it! First a new house, then my fantasy vacation coming true. This is more than I expected. I love you, I love you now and forever and I mean it.” She leaned in and gave muhsin a tender peck on the lips. He returned the kiss, then pulls away smiling.

“Not only do your words make me smile, it’s always how beautiful you are.” She loops her arms around his neck as she giggled at his cheek words. “I smile everyday because of you, I can't imagine not having you,” she whispered and tip on her toes to kiss him again.

“Together. Here we stand, here we are with all our wounds and battle scars. From all the storms and all the wars we’ve weathered together. We had no way of knowing when we started way back there and then. How the road would twist and turn and bend, we just knew we belonged together. And if it wasn't for Allah’s mercy and His grace, there’s no way we would be standing in this place. But because he has been faithful every step along the way, here we are together. I am so happy that I found you and you're mine, mine forever.”

He wrapped his arms around her. His embrace was warm, and his big, strong arms seemed very protective when wrapped around her frail body. The world melted away as she squeezed him back, not wanting the moment to come to an end. “Promise me,” she whispered in his chest.

He let lose of her and cupped her cheeks. “I promise you but I can’t promise you that dark clouds will never hover over our lives or that the future will bring us many rainbows. I can’t promise you that tomorrow will be perfect or that life will be easy. I can promise you my everlasting devotion, my loyalty, my respect, and my unconditional love for a lifetime. I can promise that I'll always be here for you, to listen and to hold your hand, and I will always do my best to make you happy, and make you feel loved. I can promise you that I'll see you through any crisis, and pray with you, dream with you, build with you, and always cheer you on and encourage you. I can promise you that I'll willingly be your protector, your advisor, your consoler, your best friend, your family, your everything, I promise you.”