Chapter 14: Chapter 14

One week later.

She was sitting on her office chair, attending to a patient. She has been emotionally down for the past few days. Her father was still angry with her. All she does now is tear up all night before sleeping. Mahmud haven't showed up. After the patient left, she heard a soft knock before the door was gently opened. She closed her eyes and sighed; She have had enough of the two men.

"I come in peace. Please, let's talk," he pleaded with her. She motioned him to sit down. "I know what my brother did is highly unacceptable. I've been trying to warn you not to follow him but you didn't give me the chance. Mahmud was just trying to use you! If not because Our father commanded him to come back, I don't know what he would've done."

She looked at him in awe. He looked serious and also downhearted. She swallowed her as she felt a sharp pain in her chest. He has added more salt to her wound. "Yaya I don't understand," she murmured. Her voice shaking. "Maryam," he softly called out, holding her cold hands. "I love you, more than you can ever imagine. I was a coward before but I've changed now, for us. And for our future. Please take me back Maryam."

She looked down, a tear rolled down. He raised her head up and wiped her tears. "Please my love, take me back," he whispered. "I've suffered a lot after we broke up." He looked into her eyes. "Yaya..... this is the last chance that I'm going to give you. If anything happens I swear, I'm leaving!"

"We think that forgiveness is weakness, but it's absolutely not; it takes a very strong person to forgive. Thank you my love. I promise you, you'll see changes." He showered the back of her hand with kisses. She pulled away from him. He gracefully stood up, hands in his pocket as he smiled at her.

"And I promise you my love, I'll make it up to you. Starting from today." She smiled at him and nodded. She wasn't believing anything he told her but she couldn't stay away from him. She loves him wholeheartedly. The moment he stepped out, she heaved a sigh and rest her back on the chair.

That was the moment she needed her best friend, to tell her what to do. Advise her. But she wasn't ready to forgive him for what he did. He has caused her so much damage. She never thought he would do such thing to her. She took a deep breath, avoid the tears. She have had enough with the tears and heartache. She has Mujahid and everything is going to be fine with or without Mahmud.

She continued her work, her heart full of hopes and dreams.

That same day in the evening, she went back home to receive a huge rose bouquet, love notes and a box of her favorite chocolates from Mujahid. Before she could do anything, his call came through. She instantly picked the call her heart beating fast. "Babe, listen to my words. I promise you they are medicine. They come from my soul - a bridge to your own. They are something you can trust, my love; though I know it hasn't always appeared that way. I am so sorry for the pain I caused; I think part of me needed to test you, to see how you'd respond, to make sure you were a safe person. I know you are and I carry the shame for needing more than your word.

In this journey we call life I have tried every path, pushed on every door. Whomever I found I let them into my heart in full measure, let the love flow from me to them. Once you said love isn't finite, and you are right, of course you are. Yet the human heart and soul can wear thin. It was only when I broke that I ran to you, the only person my instinct could accept. You are the one I was born to love, to trust, to save, to nurture to full health. I see who you really are. I see right to your core and I still love you without reserve. What I see is beauty under damage, a spirit caged yet strong, life surging for liberty, boundless generosity at a cost to yourself. You look like me... stronger, masculine, yet the same.

So babe, I will be yours for eternity, softly waiting when you wander, always there on your return. I know other people have goodness within, I see it every day, I do. Yet you are my other half, my soul twin, my queen... and so I hand you my heart, pray you keep it safe when the hurricanes come. And love, no matter what, I am here to keep your heart safe too, to be whatever you need me to be. So no matter where life takes me, with whom, near or far, you will be my rest.

I know there are other lives for you and me, filled with the love we share. Yet this one is precious too. I ask that you be my strength and let me be your comfort."

Her smile shined like the stars in the sky, with no bright city lights to dim them. It was like the sun opened its eager light to shine about her, only brightening her perfectly aligned teeth. She clenched on the phone listening to more or his promises and hopes. She has finally found the one. Her dreams are coming true. He made her more joyous the moment he started talking about their wedding.

After the phone call, she hoped into the bathroom and took a warm shower. For the first time since last week, she felt a bit okay. Everything would be fine, she hoped. All her worries now is her father still being mad at her.

She wore a free gown and went to her mother's room. Her father was also in the room. He was sitting comfortably on the sofa, a cup of coffee in his hand. He looked at her and fixed back his eyes on the laptop in front of him. He wasn't mad at her anymore. He simply  wanted to show her that was she did is unacceptable and he wouldn't take it likely with her if she did something like that again.

She pouted walking to him. She sat beside her father and hugged his torso. He kept the cup on the coffee table, beside the laptop. He looked down at her and chuckled, shaking his head. "Maryam what is it?" He asked, smiling. Mommy kept smiling at the sight of her husband smiling. Maryam looked up still holding him. She bit her lip and smiled also. "Your little girl is so sorry for what she did. Please forgive her and stop being mad at her. She's so dejected with her daddy being angry with her."

He laughed and shook his head. He loved it when she acted like a small child. It reminded him of her childhood. She was a carefree and lively girl. Always smiling and happy. He missed that part of her childhood. He hugged her shoulder and kissed the side of her head. "I've already forgiven you. I just wanted to punish you more." She raised a brow but smiled. "I love you so much," she cooed and hugged him again.

Mommy laughed a little. "Now I can finally sleep in peace no more tears and throwing tantrums koh Maryam?" She teased her. Maryam shook her head, Hiding her face in daddy's chest. "Leave my daughter alone," daddy warned jokingly.

The family continued to converse until it was late in the night. She went back to her room and saw Mujahid's missed calls. She called back and within few rings, he answered the called. "Babes, I've been calling you. Where were you?" He asked as if he was worried. "Sorry I was with my parents, how's the your night going?"

"I hope everything is okay with your parents now." He asked wanting to hear something negative. "Everything is back to normal, Alhamdulillah." He could her hear smile through the phone. He heaved a sigh like he actually cared about what goes on between her and her parents.

"Are you free tomorrow? I want to take you out for shopping and we go to your favorite ice cream shop aye?" He announced. She squealed and briskly accepted his request. "Lucky you, I'll be free tomorrow." He chuckled softly. "Lucky me," he repeated.

Maryam was happy but deep down something was still bothering her. She needed something to complete her happiness. To chase away her problems. She wiped away his thoughts with the reminder; if he actually cared and is sorry for what he did, he would've showed up days ago. She has made up her mind to forget about Mahmud for good and forever.

••

They walked around the mall side by side. He pushed the cart while she chose whatever she wanted. She has indeed seen changes from him. She was glad that her dream man is finally hers. "So I've started talking about us with my father," he shamelessly lied to her. Her eyes sparkled as her smile brightened. "Really baby?" She asked looking at him. He nodded smiling. "Mhmm," he said nodding. "He said when he gets back from Abuja, he'd speak with your father about it and they'll fix the date and everything," he explained.

"Oh ya Allah. Alhamdulillah, I'm really happy about this Yaya. I love you, I love you so much. You're the best boyfriend ever."

"No, no start calling me your fiancé," he corrected. She giggled a bit and nodded. They continued to shop while he watched them from a distance. His heart burning and aching him. She had gone back to the devils arms.

"Fuck," he cursed, his hand going through his hair. After what happened, he wanted to settle things with her the next day but he was terrified of what might happened. He knew she might end their relationship and he wouldn't want that to happen. He gave her space to allow her to cool off not knowing his idiot brother would go after her and woo her to going back to him. He didn't blame her at all for anything. He knew she was still in love with his idiot big brother. He quickly left the mall before they even noticed him.

He planned to stay away from her but always be around her without her knowing to protect her from his brother's evilness. He knew warning her would only ruin things for them. He would do anything to keep their friendship safe even if it means she'd never look at him as a lover.

The couple finished their shopping and went to her favorite ice cream shop. "We should stay here and take our ice cream please. I'm not tired of being with you," she said as they headed towards the counter. "Anything for you my love," he whispered close to her ear which sent chills down her spine.

They bought their ice cream and settled down. A lady sat from a short distance, checking out Mujahid. He noticed and winked at her when Maryam wasn't looking. The beautiful dark skin lady blushed and blew a kiss at him. He caught it and placed his hand on his chest, beaming at her. Maryam looked up and him and he returned his eyes to her. "You know, this place is actually cool. It's a great idea that we decided to stay right?" She nodded taking a scoop of vanilla ice cream to her small mouth.

"So daddy has been talking about renovating his clinic, the one in Abuja and he said he'd give you the contract to design a new one for him," she cheerfully talked. His eyes were still on the lady, who was giving him signs she was into him. "Really? That's amazing!" He answered not paying attention.

Immediately after they were done, he ushered her to wait for him in the car while he buys some ice cream for his sisters.

He sat opposite her chair and gave her a breathtaking smile. "Congratulations! you have won 'the most beautiful girl' title here and your prize is a date with me. Who am I kidding, no hot girl like you would want to go out with someone like me," he flirted with her. He knew with his blazing hot body and killer handsome face, no girl would say no to him!

"If not because of your wife I would've came over and asked for your number. The name's Nadia, Nadia AbdulRahim."

"Mujahid and that's my cousin!" She looked at him and bit her pink lips. He stood up and dropped his card in front of him, "call me!"

Before he left, he bought the ice cream for his sisters not to look suspicious. He hopped into the car as he watched Nadia also entered her car and zoned out of the place. He smirked and drove out of the place. Maryam looked at him and shook her head, not knowing what was going on.