Chapter 18: Chapter 18

He lifted his coffee mug to take another sip when Ahmad held the mug and took it away from him. He shook his head and Mahmud chuckled. “I don’t think taking that much coffee would make you forget about her or solve your problems.”

Mahmud looked at the mugs on the desks and chuckled dryly. He was having a meltdown ever since she rejected him. What bothers him more is that their relationship is over all thanks to his brother for coming into their lives and ruining everything. “Just two days more and we’re gone,” he said smiling.

Ahmad looked at him in pity. “Can you stop giving me that look? I’m not depressed. Even I want to get over her. That’s why I’m leaving the country for while.”

Mahmud slowly stands up from the chair and adjusted his uniform. “I have to go see Ummah now,” he informed parking his car keys and phone.

After he left the airport, he went to a bakery shop and bought doughnuts for his baby sister, intisar. The moment he stepped into the house, intisar squealed and jumped on him. “Yaya, you’re back.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“I bought doughnuts for you baby,” he said dropping her down and handing the box of doughnuts. “Thank you so so much.” She ran upstairs to go share with her sisters. He followed her up to Ummah’s room. “Salamu Alaikum,” he greeted sauntering in.

She was on the couch watching sunna Tv, she reduced the volume answering him. “Ummah, good evening. Ya zaman gida?” She chuckled and replied him. “How was work today?” She asked. He sat opposite her and replied. “I will be leaving in two days, Ummah. After that I have things to do when I get there so I don’t exactly know when I’m coming back.”

She heaved a sigh and gave him a pointed look. “You see, this is the reason why I want to speak with you, Mahmud. Your brother has introduced the girl he wants to marry to your father and I thought it’s high time you settle down too. It would be better if you were going on this long trip with your wife.”

His heart beat increased by the news she told him. “Mujahid?” He spoke out, perplexed. “Yes Mujahid. He didn’t tell you?”

“Oh well, he came here three days ago and introduced one girl named Nadia as the woman he wants to marry,” she spoke again before mahmud could reply. He stared at the blank space reviving. They broke up with Maryam? Does Maryam know about this? Is he planning to marry the both of them or he’s planning to do something to Maryam? He has to keep an eye on her.

“Mahmud I’m talking to you and you’re ignoring me,” Ummah spoke louder. “Uh- sorry Ummah.” He scratched the back of his neck. “I dont have anyone now but I promise you, I’ll bring someone very soon In sha Allah. Just keep praying for me.”

“But what about Maryam? I love seeing you with that girl,” she suggested. Mahmud scoffed and laughed a bit. “No Ummah, things are....” he paused and sighed. “Just not her.”

“Well in that case, don’t even try to bring any American girl or Arab girl. Your father would not even accept that you know.”

“Ummah....” he laughed remembering how she always warned him about that. “I promise you. Your daughter In Law is coming soon.”

••

“Where are we going to?” She queried gleefully. “Uhh babe, don’t worry, okay? We will soon be there,” he soothed while holding her hand and driving with the other hand. She couldn’t remember when last they spent time or go out together.

Ever since he met Nadia he got so engrossed with her. He sometimes forgets about Maryam’s existence. Even after the things he does to her she didn’t care one bit. She was blindly in love with him.

He parked at a Chinese restaurant. Maryam looked at the place and her smile instantly dropped. “Babe a Chinese restaurant?” She questioned. She hates Chinese food. Last time she had one, she threw her guts out. “What? If you don’t like it then we can go back home,” he retorted and hissed.

She smiled and shook her head. “I’m sorry. Let’s go in.” He hissed again and dropped out of the car. She followed him and closed the door. She walked fast to catch up with him.

They ordered their dinner and settled down. He sighed and brought out his phone to text Nadia. The moment he texted her, she called him. “I’ll be back in a sec,” he said standing up. She watched him as he walked out of the place. She slumped at the table, her brows creased and face stressed. He felt the urge to go speak with her but he was afraid to get shunned, yet again by her.

He decided to just wait and see what his brother was up to. Meanwhile Mujahid was out flirting with the woman he desired. “Baby I wish you could be here with me. I wish you could be near, I really miss those moments. That sweet little cheer. When are you coming back please? I miss you so much.”

She chuckled softly, “I’ll be back next week. Don’t worry baby I’ll be back in no time.”

“After you’re back then we could start preparing for our wedding right?” She smiled and replied him. After more than thirty minutes, they ended the call. Maryam wanted to go after him but she wouldn’t want to annoy him. Their food was already arranged twenty minutes ago. She smiled the moment she saw him even though she was already down hearted. “I’m so sorry for keeping you waiting, My love.” He apologized settling before her. She only nodded at him.

His entire attention was on his phone staring at Nadia’s photos. After eating, he ordered coffee for them. She looked at him smiling. His attention was still on his screen. "I got new makeup." He peers her way, face resolutely unimpressed and fixed his eyes back on his screen.

"Is it a natural look?" He means that he can't see it and so she has wasted time and money - two things he hates. “Yeah, I like it that way." She opened her eyes wider, keeping the smile. He nods and takes a sip of his coffee, offering no ongoing conversation of his own, so she began again. "It's Valentines tomorrow, so I've booked a helicopter to take us to a place near here, there's gonna be a table, great food." She smiled, hoping her joke will raise his spirits. Instead he huffs.

"I suppose you expect me to shower you with gifts?" He spoke nonchalantly.

Her heart sinks. “No, that isn't what I meant at all. I'd settle for a few extra time with you, a long hug, some scribbled notes of affection.” He ignored her. She spoke again, “Maybe we can come back for another meal tomorrow?"

Mujahid looks downward briefly and then says, "No, I like to sleep in." She hide the hurt. She knew he hated Valentines. Then She bring up some gists, something else he hates, but what else is there to do? Drink and stare with nothing to say?

He touched his pocket and cursed, “damnit! I forgot my other phone in my car. I wanted to show you something.” He sighed. “I’ll go get it for you,” she quickly offered. He leaned forward and kissed her passionately. His moods changes fast like a chameleon.

Mahmud hissed and looked away. He gave her the car keys and she rushed out to do what he asked. He brought out a sachet of pills. He looked around him to see everyone’s attention was somewhere else before he dropped two pills in her coffee. Mahmud’s eyes widened as he gasped. The pills dissolved before she came back.

She came back in less than a minute and handed the phone to him. “Finish your coffee first then I’ll show you,” he urged. She nodded smiling. She took few sips and stopped. “This coffee.... it tastes different.” She grimaced.

“Manha,” he called out walking towards them. “Oh great!” Mujahid groaned. “Wha- Mahmud,” she tried to stay awake. “Come maryam. Let’s leave this place.” He held her before she passed out. They moved out before everyone’s attention turns to them.

“Where are you taking her?” Mahmud asked the moment the stepped out. “What does it looks like I’m doing, home obviously.”

“I swear to God if you do not leave this girl alone I’m calling her parents now and tell them what’s happening. It’s either you leave her alone or I call them.”

He dropped her but luckily Mahmud caught her before she landed on the hard floor. “You’ll regret ruining my plan!” Mujahid threatened before leaving the place.

Mahmud looked at her unconscious face and hissed. He picked her up and took her to his car. He knew he couldn’t take her home in that condition. He took her to his house instead.

He gently placed her on the three seater and sat on the two seater sofa. He clutched on his hair, thinking of a possible way to separate her from his evil brother. He was sick and tired of his brother playing with her and she wouldn’t listen to him. He sighed and placed his hands under his chin, looking at her sleeping. What could’ve happened if he didn’t show up then? What if he used her? That’s it? He’s done with her? And then he would get married and forget about her while she’d be depressed!

He sometimes felt like getting out of her way and leave her to find out who Mujahid is. But, he’s in love with her and he wouldn’t want anything to happen to his beloved. He hissed and shrugged off the thoughts. He checked the time to see it’s almost 9PM. Her phone and handbag was with Mujahid.

It was a little past 9 when she finally woke up. He stood up and moved close to her. She looked around sitting up right. “Wha- how did I get here?” She whispered. “Hey,” he spoke to get her attention.

“Why am I here? Where’s Yaya Mujahid? What happened?” She bombarded him with questions. “Even if I try to explain Manha, you would never believe me,” he spoke tiredly. She stared at him with her tear stained face, waiting for answers.

“Okay don’t be mad at me for spying on you but I swear, I only did that to protect you from my brother..”

“What’s up with you and Yaya Mujahid?” She furiously spoke wiping her tears. “Manha, just calm down and let me explain.” She looked away from him, sobbing. “He drugged you. I.... I don’t know what he told you but the moment you stepped out of the place he added something to your coffee and got you unconscious. By Allah Maryam, Mujahid isn’t going to marry you. He already has someone. He’s just using you, please believe me.”

“I thought you were my best friend?” She whispered, sobbing uncontrollably. “I am, Manha I am your best friend. That is why I’m always there to protect you.”

“Then why didn’t you take me home? Why did you bring me to your place? Maybe You are the one that’s trying to use me! Can you just leave me alone? What part of I’m only in love with your brother don’t you get? Just leave me alone for crying out loud! I don’t need you help please!”

He felt like her words were stabbing him in the chest as he looked at her face. He swallowed hard shifting his eyes away from her. What has he done to deserve this kind of hatred from her. Just few months ago everything was okay, no Mujahid, no trouble.

“I can't stop loving you. You betray my affections and leave my heart in shattered disarray of pieces. Every single time you steal a part of me, and you make it impossible for me to put myself together. And yet, I always come back around you. Why is that?”

“What the hell is wrong with you? Urgh... just forgets it! I’m leaving.” She furiously stood up to leave. “Please let me take you home. It’s late and you don’t have any shoes on.” She paused but didn’t turn to look at him. “I promise you after this day I would never ever step into your life.”

She nodded and he heaved a sigh of relief. No one said anything through their drive to Maryam’s house. She thanked him before dropping out barefoot. He watched her head into the house as he thought of their sweet moments together.

That was it. Everything has turned to history! He has lost her; his biggest fear has come true. A puzzle piece fell from his heart, as if it no longer belonged there.

It hit him hard like nails and hammers breaking his heart apart whenever he remembered her words. A nightmare come true, maybe. He cried out to Allah, wondering how it was possible for her to inflict so much pain inside his chest after what he has done for her to see her smile. To make her happy. He was alone now. Completely, utterly alone, without her to comfort him. Who will wipe away his tears now? Who would console him whenever he remembers his mother? She was part of him but she left when he wasn’t ready to let go. He wiped his tears and promised never to bother himself about her.