Chapter 16: Chapter 16

They walked into to boutique, roaming around while talking and checking out dresses. "This would look good on you Aydah, you should try it on please," she urged her to try the dress on. Aydah sighed and grabbed it from Maryam's hand.

Maryam sat patiently waiting for her to wear the dress and step out of the dressing room. She has been having a tough week and she couldn't open up to tell Aydah her problems. She haven't even told anyone that she was back together with Mujahid. She was afraid everyone would turned their back against their relationship or judge her.

She decided to keep it as a secret till everything was settled and their wedding date has been fixed. Her heart always beats fast whenever she remembers her best friend. She missed him so much, she wished to make things right with him but she was confused about what she was feeling for him. She Touched her wrist to play with her bracelet, forgetting she had removed it to avoid thinking about him. She has everything in life, But that one thing which completes her is not there anymore, all because of her mistakes and problems.

Everything suddenly came back rushing in her brain. She felt lonely even though Mujahid was always there for her. It still didn't felt like how mahmud was there for her. A pain stabbed her in her throat as she remembered all the promises she made to him. He kept his but she didn't.....

"Hey," an unfamiliar voice interrupted her. She quickly wiped her lone tear and looked up. The woman smiled at her, "how are you? You are Mujahid's cousin right?" She asked, her hand still on Maryam's shoulder. "Uhh-" Maryam stuttered, perplexed.

"Ma'am your agents are here, waiting for you in your office." A fair lady interrupted them. Nadia nodded and turned her gaze to Maryam. "Sorry I have to go but, it was nice meeting." Maryam only smiled wondering who she was.

Aydah soon came out wearing the dress Maryam asked her to try on. "Who's that?" Aydah asked looking at Nadia walking away. "I dont have any clue." Maryam shrugged off her shoulders and continued what they were doing. “You see I told you it will fit you,” Maryam said, cheering her up. Aydah did a little twirl feeling like a Queen.

After shopping, they moved to the spa that was in the boutique. Maryam and Aydah were both having their pedicure done when She appeared in the room with the winter snow billowing around her skirt. Most did not pay attention to her beauty, but rather her color. Burnt Sienna never looked so beautiful on a woman. With black hair of wool and her head held high, she waltzed on with an effortless saunter. The clicking of her heels added rhythm to the soft classical music that played onward without pause. Her eyes scanned the room with determination in search of someone when her eyes spotted the person she was looking for, she smiled. So beautiful it was like the stars themselves, decided to rest behind the soft cushion of her lips.

For some reason, Maryam felt uncomfortable with Nadia being around. "Hey, sorry. I need to use the bathroom," she interrupted the woman who was doing her pedicure before removing her legs from the water and wearing the fluffy slippers they provided for them. She walked into the luxurious bathroom and closed the door, heaving a sigh. She dialed on Mujahid's number and few rings, he picked up the call. "Babe," she chirped in. "My love, how are you? Are you having fun with aydah?" He asked as if he actually cared about what she does.

"Yeah, but.... well yes our day is going great." He sighed, "spill it Maryam."

She also sighed and told him about Nadia. "I dont know why I feel very uncomfortable around her."

"Hmm! Well whoever she is to hell with her and don't bother yourself about anything, okay?" She smiled and replied. "Now I have to get back to work, babe. I'll call you immediately when I'm done."

After she was done, she went back to where she left aydah. Nadia had already left the place when Maryam came back. "Are sure you're okay?" Aydah asked observing the look on Maryam's face. She beamed at her and nodded, "I am okay, what's wrong?" Aydah shook her head and laid back down.

After their spa, they left the boutique because Maryam didn't want to have dinner at the place just because Nadia was walking around the place. They entered Maryam's favorite restaurant and settled down. They had their order and waited.

"How are things going with Yaya mahmud?" Aydah asked worriedly. She knew they were not talking. What she didn't know is what Maryam did to him and she's back with their eldest brother. Maryam sighed and smiled a little. "I... honestly don't know what's going on! Maybe this is the end of our friendship."

Aydah furrowed her brows, glaring at her. "You must be joking right? You're the best thing that has ever happened to him and he's the best for you. I don't see any reason why you guys are not talking, no matter what the reason is you should always have each other's backs."

Maryam grimaced as if she took something bitter. "Aydah, I don't know what to do. I do miss us but, I'm praying for the best," she replied nonchalantly. Aydah raised a brow in awe but shrugged. She was astonished by the way Maryam has changed her behaviors. "Maryam," she called, holding both her hands. "You're like the nicest and independent woman I've ever met. And you're one of the few people I look at as my role model. So please, I don't like this your new attitude, it does not fit you at all. I'm begging you please, don't let anyone or anything deceive you and take advantage of you."

"I know you must be thinking that I'm bugging you or you'd think that you know what you're doing. Yes you're mature and in your right senses but how you've changed really bothers me."

Maryam snatches her hands away guilty and simpered. "Why are you talking this way as if I killed someone? Haha- common it's me, Doctor Maryam Mahdi! Your greatest best friend and sister. Trust me everything will be fine by Allah's will."

Aydah nodded still not convinced. Whatever's going on they'd find out sooner or later.

••

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder while she snuggled up to him more. She closed her eyes and breathed out. "I really  needed this," she admitted, hugging his torso. He gently kissed her head. "Really? You look tired today. How was your day? What did you do today," he replied holding her closer.

Nadia sighed and nodded. "Attended two meetings today, and my new collection arrived today also, so I had a hectic day today." He smiled and kissed her again. "Mujahid is always here to take away your stress and take care of you, okay?" He spoke softly. She raised up her head and looked at his eyes. Her heart warmed up by the way he kissed her lips and forehead.

"I just love the way you look into my eyes. It makes me forget the whole world outside." He captured her lips in a passionate kiss before replying, "Your elegance, your grace, your love is like no other girl in the world. You are truly one in a million. That's why I chose you. I'm so so lucky to have you by my side."

She placed her head back down on his shoulder, smiling. After much silence she spoke up. "I saw your cousin today! We even talked but i couldn't introduce myself cause I was called back to the office," she finished off with a sigh.

"Hmm! My cousin?" Who could that be?" He wondered. "Babe! That girl you came with to the ice cream shop, remember?"

His eyes and his mouth were frozen wide open in an expression of stunned surprise. "Oh- ohh really? Where did you see her? That's surprising?"

"She came to my boutique," she replied and shrugged. "Hm! So when are you coming over to meet my mom? I've already started telling her about you, babe." She spoke, stroking his well trimmed beard. "Uh- well I'm waiting for my father to come back from a business trip so I'd tell him about us. I'm definitely sure they'd be thrilled to know I've finally found a wife. A beautiful wife," he whispered the last words and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. She chuckled and hugged him.

"I really can't wait to be your wife because I truly love you, Mujahid. You're the best of the best babe."

"I only see perfection in your imperfections, I only see goodness in your eyes, I only see elegance in your movement. You're an angel on Earth and I'm lucky to be your partner. I love you sooo much."

Her cheeks suddenly kissed pink like a spring rose, the blooming colour so cute against her freckled skin. His saccharine words always gets the best of her.

When he looked at her, it was as if every ounce of breath was taken from her lungs floating into the air like midnight smoke. Every time he kissed her it felt like the world stopped, leaving just the two of them to wander the earth together. Every time he held her face between his hands it felt like he was untying all of her knots. Holding her for eternity in the arms she has grown so accustomed to. This is what falling in love was like, a story he never wanted to end. For so long she had longed for it, and now she can't bare to lose it - lose this thing that makes her feel so complete.

"Wait but how is it possible that a hot, dashing guy like you is single?" She raised a brow staring at him while he tapped his phone. He looked at her and smiled. "Why are you asking that?" He asked instead. "Well whatever it is, I'm lucky that I have you all to myself because I'm the jealous type. The crazy jealous type," she spoke narrowing her eyes. He gulped and smiled at her when Maryam suddenly crossed his mind.

What if Nadia finds out he was with Maryam? How'd she react to that? He wouldn't want to lose Nadia. He loved her wholeheartedly and he wishes to make her his wife. But he was confused about what he's suddenly feeling for Maryam! He needed to end things with Maryam before Nadia finds out and leave him.

"What are you thinking of?" She furrowed her brows. "Baby, You are the woman I am going to spend the rest of my life with. You are the woman I want to have babies with. You are the woman I want to grow old with. I love you today, tomorrow and for eternity." He finished talking and showered her face with light kisses while she giggled.

"Let's go into your room," she whispered and slowly licked his earlobe which made him to charge up instantly. He groaned and crushed his lips on hers while squeezing her boobs. He carried her up and took her to his room. He pinned her to the wall. She felt a hot breath on her neck, then the tender brush of lips. Burning as they make contact with her neck. A hand runs through her hair, as the kisses become harder and more urgent. Another hand slides around her waist, and pulls her close to his pine scented body. His kisses are now on her shoulders and in her hair.

As she cautiously laid down on the bed, unaware of what his plans for her were, she moved her hair away from the right side of bee neck and she shuts her eyes. She knew what she wanted him to do, She had been longing for his touch for many days, and he was here, ready to fulfil all her sexual desires. Her insides craved his touch. She craved his touch. As soon as his moist, plump lips imprinted on my neck, She lost all rational thought. She was just consumed at the thought of him and her showing their ever growing love for each other. She was amazed at how one touch of his lips could hitch her breath.