20: The Face Behind the Facade

And that angered Khaleel. "Sir who are you calling a kid?" His brows knitted while he releases my hand, I don't even have the courage to snatch it from him now. 

That's It He ruined My Date!.

Asif stopped laughing not because Khaleel intimidated him but because he's curious. "Wait who is Daya?" He asked confused.

I embarrassedly pointed at myself, while Abdulmaleek added with "your date?!" I nudged him a little, he shouldn't rub salt on my wound.

"And does your fiancé means what I'm thinking?" Asif's face brightens like someone is telling him an exciting story.

That wasn't supposed to be the topic of our conversation but okay.

"It means We're already engaged"

"Hmm... Interesting choice Daya has. But don't make me gag" Asif snapped back his expression stiffening while me and Abdulmaleek turned audience.

Does Asif not like My brother? Why?

He raised his hand and a waiter showed up at our table "We'll Take the specials, thank you" he handed back the menu without asking any of us what we'll like to eat or atleast me.

"Who are you then?" Khaleel asked him.

Asif pointed at himself "Me? Your sister didn't tell you?"

"Wait, how did you know that he's my brother?" It's now my turn to speak.

His face went cold for a moment, like a thief caught on act. Before he pressed his lips in a straight line unbothered. "It's obvious, else why would you bring him with you?"

I wanted to lie to him about Jk being my cousin like i always do in order to hide and protect him from the eyes of the world but what's the use? Asif could be trusted, he might be my future companion, won't he feel betrayed if i lie to him about my family?

So i just managed a smile just when the food arrives and the waiter proceed to arrange it in front of us while we just stared and waited.

Asif picked the fried rice placed in front of me and swap it with his bowl of shrimp carbonara. "Here eat this" he said with a smile and i found myself smiling back.

"Thank yo..." I was about to start eating but Khaleel who was on his phone the whole while picked the plate up again and swap it with his own which contains a steak with a side of corn beef hash.

"She's allergic to Shrimps" he lied at our confused faces when in reality he just don't want me eating from Mr mocktail's plate and he's the one who's actually allergic to Seafood so he can't eat now.

They gave a free cake to Abdullah and he started digging right away. Asif also shrugged it off and started eating and so did I, while Khaleel continue pressing on his phone.

"You want them to change your dish?" Asif asked Khaleel.

"You should've asked that before you went ahead to choose for us" he then stood up as his phone began ringing.

"It's Azaan, I'll be waiting for you in the car if you're done" he says and left.

Azaan! I haven't heard his name in a while.

We managed to set the mood right after the grumpy Khaleel left and focused on the two of us by the end of the dining while Abdulmaleek played with my phone. 

And believe me Asif is a wonderful gentleman, I've heard about his life and family, career and success and that is exactly what I'm looking for in a husband just wish me luck.

....

"You left her with him?"  A voice spoke from the phone put on speaker and resting on the dart board while Khaleel sat back on the driver's seat with his eyes closed, his left leg hanging outside.

"What was i supposed to do then Azaan? They were just annoying me, I really feel like you should just come and take her away from him" he opened his eyes scowling.

Azaan chuckled "she has made it clear that she doesn't like me and i gave up. But you shouldn't sit idly by and watch someone manipulate her"

Khaleel hissed. "Wallah I don't like that guy a tad bit. Have you seen Daya going crazy over someone or even something?"

"I can't even imagine it, but maybe you're just being overprotective, but she must settle down and have a family someday".

"Yes, but just not now. Now isn't the time!"

He then spotted us coming to the car and said bye to Azaan. Mr mocktail helped me with the door and i seated inside then he thanked me 

"i hope we could eat again sometimes soon" he suggested and i nodded trying to suppress my excitement, that means Asif likes me hence wants to continue hanging out with me. Khaleel hissed out of nowhere and started the engine while Asif stepped back when Jk started reversing the car, he then waved me bye and we drove off. 

And in my eyes there's nothing he could see aside from success of his plan of a decade.

His hook caught my Heart in one try.

.....

He parked his car enthusiastically, he can't wait to narrate today's incident to the love of his life, his joy, his happiness, his wife Safnah. and that's when he noticed, one of his cars isn't there. The white BMW he accidentally forgot the keys on the bed this morning because he was excited to go meet his Hidaya.

He came out of his car and aggressively close the door with a bang followed by a kick on the tires. He was beyond mad, he's angry, of Khaleel and now of Safnah. How dare she get out of the house without his permission? 

How dare she! How dare she!!

He went inside the house and removed the shirt of his kaftan leaving him in his trousers and a singlet, he went to their massive kitchen and took a container of salt from the pantry then walked to the store and took a bucket to run it under a tap untill it's almost full. He then empty the salt container inside the water and went ahead to stir it with a ladle.

After the preparation of his salt water is done, he brought it to the living room and went to their bedroom to pick a suitable belt and his pack of cigarettes which he lights since he was inside. 

He was blowing the smoke of his second cigarette in the air while lying on a sofa 25 minutes later when the woman entered, her whole body was trembling already upon seeing the car he went out with parked in the lot.

She dropped to her knees immediately she entered the living room rubbing her two palms together in a plea.

"Please...please... I'm sorry... I went to...i'm sorry I'll never do...try... please " she's beyond terrified and already in tears.

"Crawl to me my little Safnah" she did crawl to him as he ordered instead of running away or hiding since she knew there's no escape. He then sat up, blowing the smoke on her beautiful face.

He then grab her chin in his palm staring into her golden eyes and tighten his hold until she winced unable to close her mouth before he asks "now tell me, Where were you?"

"My mother had a stroke. Wallahi she almost died"

"And you can't call to inform me?" 

"I did, you didn't pick up"

"Hmm... So you can't wait for me to return? Is she dead now?" 

She hesitantly shook her head and added with "no"

"Okay that means she wouldn't be dead if you didn't go there, right?"

She nodded crying "right"

He put the belt and the lit cigarette on the center table then caress her cheeks tenderly.

"Now stop crying and choose your punishment for being my little disobedient Safnah"

And the torture is to begin again. She hesitated but knowing there's no escaping she picked up the belt and handed it to him.

Then proceeded to strip revealing her bruised neck, chest, back, arms, legs, every place on her body is bruised and has cigarette burns.

She closed her eyes surrendering as Asif put back the cigarette in his mouth and lift the belt as high as he could to perform his inhumane act.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Once again this book is 100% fictitious and I don't support any form of violence.

I'm done with 'The bleeding Rose' and will now try to finish this book soon in sha Allah.