Chapter 63: Chapter 63

ABUJA NIGERIA.

"Calm down and sit down." Bushra wanted to laugh at Kauthar's worked up state but she knew the woman will flung her to the wall if she dare do that. She's never seen her like that so it is very refreshing to feast on the always calm businesswoman all because of her brother.

"There is no calming down here honestly. Your brother will pay for ever crossing me like that. Doesn't he know who I am? The reputation of not taking nonsense like this?" She fumed after sitting down on the bed beside Bushra. Her eyes glazed at the door as if waiting for him to pop inside so she can devour him whole.

"I'm going to ask you some questions and you will answer them honestly, hmm?" She crossed her arms over her chest waiting for Kauthar's response and she gave her a nod after narrowing her eyes.

"Ask away and no stupid questions, I know you." She warned, taking much more calmer breathe in and out to secure her sanity.

"Do you like my brother?" Bushra held onto her breathe waiting to hear the rejection coming from her ex sister in-law. No woman will like her brother after what he has done. Can't he learn a thing or two from his twin brother Mujaddad? The guy is coaxing Fayha into his wing and she is already falling for him as much as Bushra could see.

"No!" The answer was instant, Bushra almost laughed at Kauthar's disturbed face. Ah, the woman is perturbed with means she is not sure about it so Bushra continued.

"I mean, before any of these happened yesterday and today. Have you ever liked him or think he is fine or had a crush on him something like that?" Bushra grinned while inclining her head as Kauthar's was giving her 'are you kidding me right now' look which she shrugged off and gesture that she should answer her.

"Well, maybe once or twice but that doesn't matter since I absolutely despise the mere sound of his name. You also look like him so I'm close to hating you." She pouted, biting her bottom lip when Bushra laughed out loud, jovially. She knew the girl is looking for a weakness she could use against her for she knew her so much.

"You cannot hate me, woman. I'm just one of the most lovable people to grace the earth, I can't be hate-able, despise-able or whatever. Anyways, let's continue with the questions. Do you think your marriage will work out keeping your so called hatred aside?" The question should be the root to everything but not to Kauthar who was quick to frown.

"I don't want it to work out. I promised to fall in love after Fahad's demise because not all men are like Fahad out there. I was willing to give us a chance knowing Fahad has been my friend for a long time and don't have any bad quality but I won't marry if not for love now. Your brother is hellbent on ruining that for me and if he does, I shall ruin his happiness. I want to experience love like you did." She crossed her arms like a sulking child because that is the truth behind her not wanting to marry soon. She is waiting for her Mr. Right but Mr. Major wants to shatter that dream of hers.

"Then it will work out. My brother just need that romantic bone in him, don't worry about it. Just pray to Allah for what is best and He shall show you the way. For now, leave everything in my hands, hmm?" She grinned like a mother advising her child eliciting narrowed eyes from Kauthar. She likes acting like the older one when Kauthar is older than her.

"Hmmp!" She pushed her head to the side before standing up totally forgetting she should be in a meeting in about one hour and she is not dressed for work. If anything, she never goes to work not looking professional and getting asked by a Major won't change that. The darn arrogant man with unromantic bone!

"I'm off to work, talk to you later." She kissed Bushra's cheek then ran out of the room hoping not to bump into her peradventure future mother in-law or anyone else for that matter. Especially not the person behind her visit, she won't promise not to gauge out his eyes from their sockets.

But the stars are not shining for her because as soon as she stepped out of the house to the foyer, she saw him walking out from his car looking iniquitously handsome in his army uniform. Her lips parted a bit and her eyes decided to drool before he notices her. The uniform looks to be meant only for him, it clasped onto his figure like the tailor drew him out on the clothe. The way he walks with confidence, the self assurance dripping off all his steps, if only it was brains there. Then he rose his head and looked straight to her eyes without having to search for them.

She blinked, he looks more handsome with the sun rays hitting his face. Abort that mission and get out of her, she scolded herself and straighten her figure then continue down to her own car, she felt him following her but didn't turn to look at him or even show the slight interest of wanting to talk to him.

"Hey." Seriously, that is what he wants to say to her after asking for her hand in marriage behind her back when she clearly rejected him? Hey? Is this Major guy for real?!

"I don't want to talk to hypocrites." She snarled, keep on walking with her own air of arrogance to match up the unaffectionate man. Ugh, his mere presence is making her hate her existence. Why does he have to go behind her back? She would've definitely given him a chance if he hadn't gone there earlier to see her father.

"What are you talking about?" He frowned, his eyes searching her whole figure as if he could see the answers written there, it only annoyed her feeling his eyes on her.

"You tell me? Who was there to meet my father after I rejected him or don't you know what hypocrisy means?" She finally turn around to raise a brow at him and he halted knowing she is talking about him. He scrunched his brows, is that what hypocrisy means now?

He thought it was applying criticism to others one that does not apply to one self but not going to ask for her hand in marriage! He thought that was the first thing men do after confirming they want so so person as their life partner so he did the same. Besides, that was what his twin brother Mujaddad did as soon as they understood each other with Fayha. What is wrong with him doing the same thing now? She just wasn't sure yesterday so he thought about making the first move if she is shy to do so! And now she is calling him a hypocrite? Seriously?!

"That is not hypocrisy-" He was cut off by her own sarcastic cold laughter laced with nothing but pure mockery.

"Yes, smart pants. That is not hypocrisy but that is betrayal. I clearly told you I don't like you yesterday but you went ahead and did what you want anyways. I'm now forced to be in this relationship with you but let me tell you something, I won't let you off this easily. You are going to regret marrying me, it's a threat." She opened her car and sped off without a second glance. She is fuming with anger, she will definitely go through with her threat no matter what.

_

All went well for Bushra until she returned inside her home and found Amir furious about something which surprisingly touched the crooks of her chest.

"What's wrong?" She questioned, her eyes darting over his whole figure that is tensed with nothing but burden. His eyes are red, his shoulders are tensed and his whole stance is telling another story. She's never seen him like this which is the reason behind her being alarmed of the situation.

"Are you really getting married?" His words were calm, extremely calm at that, almost glacial. He didn't show her just how enraged he is about whatever it is that is wrong with him but she could see it. She's been with him for a long time to already know what is up with him by just his body language.

"Unfortunately, yes. Mom and Dad both think it's best I look for Anaan a real father figure in her life and I guess it's time for me to move on for my daughter's sake. I really don't feel like remarrying, I don't want the stress that comes with marriage. But then again, this is a sacrifice I'll have to make as a mother." She sighed, slumping down on the couch with him while waiting for him to tell her the reason behind his wrathful self.

"I can be a father figure to Anaan if you want." This took her by surprise and so she sat down properly to stare at him though the clothes she is wearing is not comfortable. She wanted to remove it before talking to him but she don't want to be worried about leaving him down there alone in such a sour mood.

"What do you mean by that? You are already her uncle and that is enough for her." She smiled thinking where her head is going that is where his thoughts are but he was talking about something entirely different which she is about to find out.

"Not like that. I can, uh, marry you, if you want." He suddenly became nervous but that is not what bothered her. It was his words that messed up with her head big time, she don't understand whether she is hearing things or not.

"I don't understand what you are saying. Can you explain it more or I'm I just hearing things now? I've been stressed out the whole day so it's quite possible." She let out an uneasy smile to lighten up the mood.

She genuinely feels like she is hallucinating nowadays but then again, his expression which transmogrified from anger to anxiousness meddled with uneasiness is saying the truth behind the words she's heard. There is no doubt Amir just proposed to her about marriage and she don't know how to think about it. She don't know how to react to such situation she's never thought possible.

"I want to marry you. It is permissible for us to get married since my brother is dead and you are his divorcée." He gulped when Bushra instantly stood up from her sit and move farther from him. That move from her shattered something inside of him but he is more than determined to say his mind that evening. Keeping it inside of him is what will lead to his doom just like the unfortunate news he's heard that day.

He has been in love with her for as long as he could remember but could never work on it because he was younger than her with a year and society look down upon that, he doesn't care what people think now. And his brother also placed his claim before he could, he was naïve secondary school student. He never thought there would come a day where he could say out his feeling openly without fear but this is his chance. Islamically, it is permissible for him to marry his brother's wife after his demise and he has been thinking about that for a long time. He just didn't know Bushra was ready to move on from her past and so he was giving her time to get everything straight then he will profess.

This only goad him to confess before it is too late. He just heard from Kauthar that she is entertaining her suitors, he couldn't leave that and hastily drove to her home. He's been with her through thick or thin and ever since his brother's death, there is no day that passed by without him inquiring about her wellbeing whether by coming with his own feet or calling her. He is almost always in her home, it became a second home to him. His whole time is spent thinking about what to do to make everything easy for her and so she won't think too much about her past.

The love she had for his brother was something he couldn't stop himself from feeling jealous about though he had no right to be at all. He just happens to know her before his brother does, that is all. She was his senior during highschool and they hit it off even then so he thought he was free to crush on her that is before she got married to his brother. It shattered him seeing how in love they were all the time and they are always all over each other like rabbits. He's wished for love like theirs once upon a time while wishing his love for her or was it infatuation, to fade like it was never there.

He almost thought it did fade away but after his brother's death, it suddenly came back with full force like it never left. His thoughts makes him feel guilty loving his dead brother's divorcée. But then again, everything is fair in love and war and at this rate, he was going to fight tooth and nail for Bushra Amani. This is just fate showing him way, paving the path that he should place his claim before it's too late. Since she is ready to marry herself, he won't pressurise her and all he can do is create beautiful ambience for a brighter future. He'd be damned if this chance slip off his fingers, he is ready to fight.

Then her almost suicide months ago that jolted and shook his life and whole existence.

"Amir, I understand that you want to have a large spot in Anaan's life but you can't sacrifice your freedom just like that. Marrying me won't be the solution, it won't be. You can always take her to live with you for a few days, it's fine. But you cannot think like an illiterate, don't sacrifice much more for us, you've done enough already. I really appreciate your empathy towards us, it means a lot but please, pave your future and don't ruin it. I won't let you ruin your life!" She shook her head as if removing the absurd thought from her head but Amir was not having it.

He is in that 'it's now or never' position.

"It is not only about Anaan now, you are involved and so is my heart. I am not sacrificing anything here, B! I've always had a crush on you but after brother's demise, something ran much more deeper. When I heard that you are going to get married, I couldn't handle it and came here straight. Nothing you say will change my mind about marrying you, I want to do this willingly not out of obligation!" Came his stubborn reply and she widened her eyes in wonder. She don't understand what is going on anymore.

"W-w-what are you saying? You can't possibly be thinking about marrying me because you had a crush on me. I'm older than you with a whole year, Amir. You have years and much more beautiful life ahead of you. Please don't make me feel guilty for ruining your life, please." Her hands started shaking as she stuttered out the words as if lying on her death bed. Her eyes also glisten with unshed tears, she wanted to cry.

All this is too much for her poor mind to bear. Amir is no doubt someone she never want to lose in her life, he has been her best friend right from the beginning. But marriage? With Amir? It never crossed her mind neither is the idea welcomed to her head. He is the exact Mika'il, the looks and almost everything which means she is going back to the lion's den. Might be possible Amir loves her more but still, they are siblings.

"I love you, I really do." He confessed and then gulped when her eyes rounded some more and she looks pale. He stood up and stand close to her just in case if she falls but that didn't stop his heart from throbbing hard in his chest awaiting rejection.

"You are not serious, are you?" Her eyes are displaying so many kinds of emotions and she took her extremely shaky hand to close her face. Both her palms are shaking really hard, he didn't like it.

"I've never been more serious. If I don't get married to you, I will never be able to marry anyone else, I swear! The pros of this marriage weigh much higher than the cons. Please don't talk about the age difference, it haunts me. I don't care if you are fifty years older than me, what matters is what my heart feels for you. I also know that you won't be able to fall in love again with anyone and I won't force you. Just, please, agree to marry me." His eyes glisten also after his speech. He wants to say some more things to her but he couldn't find the words to say them out, it doesn't make sense.

"Are you sure?" That is the last thing Bushra wants to ask but she found her lips moving to inquire about it. So much information, it makes her head throb with nothing but utter confusion, flabbergast and flummox.

"I've never been more sure about anything."