29: Down The Aisle, Opps Wrong Husband

From where I sat on the bed that was given to me not that I'm obliged to own it, I could see the pouring rain through the huge window, soaking the tall trees, the flowers and the grass covered ground in green.
The pool Khaleel always played by it's side when we were young while me and Nimrah watched him while reading or chatting under the tree shade so he won't accidentally drown.

I could also remember when the trees were young and fragile, and now their roots is so deep into the ground, that's how I also thought I was, but I forgot that trees usually don't grow from seeds, they have to be transferred from somewhere, and when they began growing strong they often forgot that they don't originally belong in that place. They extend their thick and strong roots often destroying the beautiful floors which often lead them to getting cut off no matter how strong and huge they've grown.

And this is exactly what happened to me.

"Hidaya, say something"

I averted my gaze from the window to set them on Nimrah, her eyes and whole face was swollen from crying for me when I couldn't anymore.
Maybe it's because she pitied me, and maybe it's because her father informed us earlier that they didn't search for my parents on purpose, not that they didn't have a clue on how to find them, but because they believe that I don't need them.

I let out a dry chuckle "here I was thinking that I was an orphan, but now I don't know what I am Nimmy"

She wiped her tears and put on a brave facade. "We told you It really doesn't matter"

"Really?" I shook my head at her foolishness. "I'm sure My phone would've exploded if Khaleel hadn't forwarded all my calls. But there's still a thousand SMS from people I barely know asking me for confirmation, I don't even dare to go online"

She stood up from the chaised longue and approached me in an attempt to collect my phone asking "how did you get it back?"

I hid the phone behind my back to stop her from taking it. "I need to hear from someone"

She stopped, "is it Asif?"

"He hasn't called you?" I asked back, thinking maybe i hadn't heard from him because he couldn't reach me.

She shook her head no.

"I just hope he won't change his mind" i lowered my head in shame. "It's disappointing to admit but I think I love him, now that I'm a nobody I hope he'll still see me the same"

"You're not a nobody." Mummy pushed the half opened door wide, holding a tray stacked with food and fruits. "If he doesn't like you anymore it means he doesn't like you to begin with, And I'm sure a better man will come by, we're not in a rush. Because my daughter only deserves the best, nothing less" she said with so much confidence as she walked towards where I sat and put the tray beside me then sat down.

"Even if I didn't birth you Hidaya, you're my most important decision and I'll bear every consequence of it. And so you know you're my favorite person in the whole world, aside Daddy Kaleem of course, I love my husband the most in this world"

I found myself smiling and my heart softens a bit allowing tears to fall down my cheeks at the same time relieving some of my burden.

She wipes my tears with her palms allowing her own to keep flowing. "But I love you more than I love my biological child my Hidaya, I love both you and Abdulmaleek more than I love Junior Khaleel, you're not an option for me, you're my priority!.

As I burst into tears, I scoot closer to her and bury my face in her chest like I always did when fear clouded me.

I cried heavier than the rain,

My heart could testify.

.....

"How is she?"

"This is the fourth time you've called today Azaan, she will be okay"

"Or maybe I should come and see for myself" he whispered to himself forgetting who he was talking to, Khaleel could hear even the most silent whisper.

"Believe me she won't entertain your presence at this moment, there's already too many people around because of her upcoming wedding"

"Wedding? In this situation? Can't it be adjourned?"

"I also thought that's the right thing to do but I can't figure out what dad is thinking, he's meeting the Fiance guy later today, but I believe he'll make the best decision"

"I'm hoping so." He slightly clicked his tongue. "And If you're in need of anything, whatever it is just tell me as long as you think I can help"

Khaleel knew what Azaan was talking about, because the rate at which the company's stock price is plummeting is alarming. This isn't only because of a shocking news, something big is happening underneath. However this isn't the kind of friendship he wish to maintain between him and Azaan, he doesn't want any of them to owe each other anything, he's sure the family will figure it out on their own."

.....

Asif sat at the edge of the arm chair opposite to Daddy Kaleem instead of the carpeted floor he usually insisted on squatting on even when Daddy Kaleem told him it's okay to sit up.

"So what is your decision"

He licked his lips trying to not let Daddy's gaze intimidate him.
he's seen worse, he's manipulated better. Everything was planned out years ago even though Safnah almost messed it up, however everything is back in his control once again.

"Well I'm fine with it. I love your daughter with all my heart and never cared about her background... However, my family will need a lot of convincing because they have a reputation to uphold.."

"And you think we don't?" Daddy Kaleem cut him off. " The wedding is in four days and the events are starting tomorrow, we don't have the time to let your family decide, so you either give me your word by tomorrow morning or I'm calling it off anyway" he stood up and showed Asif the way out, "my schedule is packed"

Asif also stood up trying to keep his expression neutral but he's burning with rage inside. Had he managed to take Hidaya that night she lost consciousness all this would have been done and over with, and Kaleem would have given him Royala Group with his own two hands.

But when Khaleel addresses him with his mother's surname, he was so shocked that he didn't realize when Khaleel took her from him and carried her bridal style to the car that was brought to him and they took her to a hospital.

He's certain they've also found out his real name Isn't Asif. But he'll continue to shake their world violently before they find out more.

.....

9:07am

The news is a faster and ironically more reliable way to find out if my wedding has been called off because I know my family won't tell me right away since they're so good at keeping secrets.

I stare at the picture of Khaleel from two years ago holding an award that bears his full name KHALEEL KALEEM OMAR. His hair was full and curly dangling on his forehead And he wore a bright smile on his face.

The second picture was of him 3 years ago when we went to his freshman exhibition, kissing Mom's forehead and holding his certificate of participation in one hand.

The third one was of him and all the members of the family that went to celebrate him.

And the fourth one was him standing in the middle, his left arm surrounding Nimrah's shoulder and the right one surrounding mine while we showed our teeth to the camera man.

-It was at Jannah's wedding Dinner.

Then there's one of him in what definitely seems like a bar with his school friends popping champagne, excluding Azaan, and that's the most terrifying part.
Because that's where the article got it's title - *The secret Nepo baby partying and drinking away, while receiving art awards in his free time*

Before I demand answers from Khaleel about what took him to a bar in the first place, the first thing I got to do is find out who the hell is behind all this, who's trying to bring this family down and for what price?!. Because all this just couldn't be a mere coincidence.

.....

The least thing the people who came from all around the world to attend a particular wedding could expect was that a bride or a groom will change at the last minute.

But when the bride and the groom share the exact same surname, it

left

everyone in a state of frenzy.

The whole country was shocked, when they were waiting to hear of two empires getting united in a matrimony, learns about a 26 years old fake daughter and a newly discovered 21 years old Nepotism baby of the same family tying the knot instead.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
*Seemahwrites ✨*