30: In Sickness and Health

KHALEEL

I knocked on the door twice and waited. When I got no response stopping me from entering, I turned the door handle and entered with a salaam knowing the owner of the room was in no mood to allow me in, she didn't respond to my Salam either, she just lay there at the side of her queen sized bed.

I walked over to the bed side in slow steps to check if she's asleep, but her eyes were wide open, it's just her gaze wasn't focused on me but somewhere else, it's like she hasn't noticed my presence at all.

I swallowed then mustered up the courage to call her name "Daya nah (My Daya)"

She didn't even flinch, and If I didn't notice her blink momentarily I would've freaked out.

I lowered my height and went all the way down to my knees just so I could be at eye level with her. "Daya nah" I called again.

"Don't call me that." She murmured.

"What should I call you then?"

"I don't know just don't call me that"

Glad that I got her to speak up I continued. "Okay then Yah Hidaya"

She moved her eyeballs from where she almost bore a hole staring at and placed them inside mine.
I smiled tenderly at her but she half laughed half scoffed in return.
"Daga baya kenan (It's too late already) If I already knew this is what we were, I wouldn't have insisted or begged you to call me that"

"Then what do you want me to call you? My precious older sister? Mrs Asif? Just say the word and it shall be done."

"This is so Unlike you JK. I figured you were pretending not to understand what I want from you and stick to the opposites. But I didn't want you to change at a moment like this, I'd rather you stay the same for the rest of our lives, I can manage you for the sake of our close bond which I thought was made of blood, but it was actually a red coloured water."
She closed her eyelids and exhaled then shook her head.

I lift my right hand and rest them on her left cheek tenderly, resulting in her eyelids separating themselves immediately and I hold her Golden pupils in my black ones again.
"This could actually be for the better. Because you can now see how much we truly care for you, everything before your beautiful eyes will only be genuine, henceforth there'll be no more pretense." I said rubbing my thumb in circles on her cheek.

She glared at me, not her usual sharp glare but the one that shows how her body is exhausted along with her mind without her knowing and pulled her face away from my touch "You think this is something to feel good about?"

"If you're ready to see from the bright side of course! Just be optimistic like you've always been in whatever you're pursuing and things will gradually fall into place".

She pressed her lips. "I sometimes appreciate your dumb thinking"

"I believe I'm clever and wiser than you are."

"Yes! You're your parents's son after all. So that explains why you can paint and I couldn't because you're daddy K's son you inherited his talent, It also explains your seafood allergy because you're mummy's real son and got something from her genes. Meanwhile I'm here looking like a foreigner in my own home and often find myself staring at the mirror to at least find out how I resemble any of my brothers if not my parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts or even uncles. But none of you shared the same blood as me and that explains everything"

I was silent for a moment, trying to measure how hurt she's feeling, how many bad thoughts keep rushing into her mind every passing minute and how she's arriving at an unpleasant conclusions.

"You know Daya I could also lose any of my parents any day or even both of them at once if Allah wills, and unfortunately that won't stop me from living. I'll continue to eat, sleep and even laugh hysterically at a joke. So why are you thinking this is the end of your life when so many things are awaiting your future? I guess what you should do when you were told that those you were reminiscing about doesn't have a place in your life is to continue to shape your future as you always wanted it, to perfection. Go ahead marry Asif and live happily ever after!."

"What if happily ever after isn't for me?" Her voice broke, and for the first time she's emotionally leaning on me. "Asif hasn't responded to Daddy yet and it's almost zuhr, our wedding events are starting after asr and I don't know if he's not marrying me any longer or otherwise."

"So that is your concern?" I tried to laugh it off so it will weigh less in her mind though I understand the gravity of the situation and the suspense.

"As long as you informed Allah about it you could take a nap before the time so you won't look haggard in the pictures. And If anything went awry,  rest assured I'll stand in the gap for you" I pat her shoulder with a smile that solidified my claim.

She sat up after Khaleel left, not without informing her Azaan sends his regards as he did everyday for almost a week now, and she found herself appreciating him for checking up on her everyday.

She went on to perform ablution, prayed zuhr because it's already time and when she lied down again she felt tiredness washing over her and a significant amount of her worries have reduced.

So she closed her eyes, leaving everything in the hands of her Creator and drift into a deep slumber.

HIDAYA

I woke up when the sound of music entered my ears, and even after opening my eyes I still wondered where it was coming from because my phone was obviously on silent.

I walked up to the window and from there I could see the place already set up for the bridal party I was supposed to be having, some of the guests had already started arriving, Nimrah and Safinah were so busy with the arrangement and food.

My hands travelled to my mouth to muffle my delighted giggle when realization hit me, the wedding is still going on meaning Asif is still willing to stay by my side despite knowing my reality.

The sound of the door getting shut loud enough to be heard admist the bustling music made me turn in its direction and Aunty Lailah was already in carrying a food tray, followed by the make-up artist I've booked carrying her large makeup suitcase. She's the one that banged my door, but today is a good day so I won't mind.

Aunty Lailah managed to get me to eat with so much ease, she could also notice my excitement and the makeup artist started her work after I had taken a shower, but I'm not someone to wear a heavy makeup so we finished In a short time and she helped me fit into my black gown.

My cousins and friends came to get me when we're almost done and they were all in awe admiring how good I looked and we took some pictures before they escorted me outside to where my presence was needed and everyone there hold a smile on their faces like nothing ever happened, they allow themselves to dwell on my beauty and enjoy the evening leaving the gossips for when they returned home since The Ali Omar's Mansion is not the place for that.

The event ended with Khaleel coming over to take pictures with me so my other male cousins.
That's where I learned that Abdulmaleek has also fallen ill, probably or definitely suffering from the same thing as me but luckily he found out early unlike unlucky somebody.

Immediately I returned to my bedroom, I got myself free from the uncomfortable gown And shoes I hadn't noticed earlier because I was over the moon.

I changed into a comfortable nightwear and we continue chatting with Nimrah and Safinah about tomorrow's event since Jannah is spending the night at her parents tonight, the preparations aren't that intense yet.

I parted my lips and was about to say something when my phone began vibrating and Asif's name was dancing on the screen because it was already on my lap.

I stared until the call disconnected, counting the duration it took him to call and hear from me or even text me some words of comfort.

I walked to a far corner before picking the call and said my salaam in a very low voice reminding myself of Jannah on her wedding, I never thought I'll also be like her but because I've been waiting to hear from Asif here we are.

"Hidaya are you angry at me?"

"Why do you think I should be?"

"I have so many explanations to make but I don't want you to think I'm making excuses. However keeping in touch or not I'm never getting away from you. Our destiny has long been intertwined."

"That's not how you console someone Asif"

"What could be more consoling than the truth. You're my truth Hidaya, the truth that only I was able to see." He said in a tone I am starting to despise, because he kind of creeps me whenever he speaks like that.

An 'I love you' or even a 'Sorry I was wrong' could have solved everything but he keeps blabbing and I wasn't feeling any better after we finished the call.
I guess it's my fault that I didn't teach Asif that he has to momentarily express his feelings to his partner in a relationship since he has never been in one, but I must change that after our marriage.

The next day was almost the same, bad things were almost put into the past until I heard some rumours going around the house about Asif's family not willing to accept me and Asif lied to my father knowing this.

I realised that no one from his side came to my bridal party yesterday but I tried to brush it off in order to stay as calm as possible, I don't want to break down again after seeing everyone's efforts in trying to cheer me up, they've even put the company's situation aside just to focus on me, but I was really panicking inside.

I tried to act nonchalant and unbothered and went on with the day not until the day's event was cancelled and none offered me any explanations.
I called Asif multiple times but his line was busy.

I grew anxious but still got no explanation until the Next day, the very day I was supposed to tie the knot with Asif, but no one was getting ready for the wedding Fatiha after breakfast and I still haven't heard a word from my groom to be.

Saturday
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.

But instead, the Article i found myself reading terrified me more than reading about Asif not wanting to marry me anymore.

I stare at the picture of Khaleel from two years ago holding an award that bears his full name IBRAHIM KALEEM OMAR...

I scroll over the pictures one after another with my mouth agaped in wonder at how and for what reason will someone try to expose someone we're dedicated to protect and someone we've kept as a secret not because we want to but because the system isn't for him, he wants to live a different life and he'll be granted that freedom as long as it will be good for him.

Not until I came across a picture 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*

Khaleel Has been drinking alcohol?
Since when?
And for how long?

The tears that filled my eyes blurred my vision and I quickly wiped them and pressed someone's number on my phone, someone other than Khaleel and Asif, a Private detective.

Because Before I demanded 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.

I grabbed a long sewn Hijab and pulled it over my head as I walked to the door, almost bumping into Khaleel who was about to knock on the door.

"Daya" he called noticing my trembling body in fear masked by fury.

"Move out of my way Jk I'm coming back to you later!" I snapped in a hushed tone.

"Daya Wallahi I've never drank. I don't know what alcohol tastes like since I've never had it in my life, please believe me."

"And how would you explain your picture in A bar Khaleel!" I landed a sound slap on his cheek breathing heavily.

He closed his eyes and opened them but kept silent.
"I'm waiting for your explanation you stupid Idiot!"

"I was having a rough time. I was going through A really rough phase and my friends influenced me to go there with them and ease my worries. I tried to dwell in the false pleasure with the intention of repenting later but thankfully I didn't get to"

"And you expect me to believe that?"

"You saved me." He quickly depended "I was ashamed of facing you and Azaan after that, but then you reminded me of being ashamed of facing Allah who's watching me every day and moment of my life. So, I stopped hanging out with them from that moment on and Azaan became my only true friend."

I was just staring unbelievably at him not knowing he could be this foolish and whether I should trust his words or not.

"I still have the video of you that you sent me that day, and playing your face in a great mood on my screen made me ashamed of a day like this when I'll make you worried."

I Tilted my head to the side to show him that I'm still mad and words alone can't vouch for him. "I'm going to find someone to remove that article first, we'll leave this for later."

"It's of no use. However the one behind it has been discovered "

"Who was it?" I asked curious.

"That's the reason why dad asked me to get you, he's in his study waiting"

The trip from my room to the private study in the same apartment was the most anxious trip of my life, and I felt like disappearing on the way without even knowing what's waiting for me there.

And that morning, my soul left my body, because what could be worse than finding out my whole life was A lie?.
You guessed it right.
I was holding an evidence of Asif's involvement in what happened with Khaleel in my hand. The funny thing is that he got those pictures from my phone excluding the one from the bar which he found on one of Khaleel friends social media account, which I believe couldn't be by accident because he was stalking Khaleel all along.

And the same Khaleel has found out that his real name wasn't Asif but Mu'azzam Sadauki and he was Already married, he was after me just to get his hands on Royala and when the initial plan failed he resort to bullying my family into giving it to him along with me by slandering their oldest male heir and the only son of the director.

I was laughing at myself at this point because surely the word 'Fool' was formed just for me.

And when I accepted Marrying Junior Khaleel to save the Family's Honour aside the company and its multiple thousands of workers across the world. Above all, out of anger to what Asif did to me, I wasn't sure I'll have any regrets.

However after Just an hour of that, I was pronounced the Daughter in-law of The Ali Omars.
Hidaya Kaleem Omar became the wife of
Ibrahim Kaleem Omar and unlike the world that was shaken because of our surnames being exactly the same the thing that bothered who found about me a little earlier was that I was now married to someone who was once considered and even treated as my younger brother and was a couple of years younger than me.

I'm starting to regret it already.

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Seemahwrites