𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑𝟗

ARZO

I stand in the middle of my art studio, staring at the blank canvas in front me, holding an empty paint brush as I think of something to paint.

Anything.

We stayed in Bali for a week then decided to come home because I started missing it. I missed our room. I missed Salma’s delicious food. I even missed Shariq’s little scowl when he sees something disapproving while driving and shakes his head, muttering, “kids, these days,”

I missed home.

However, returning home meant Faizan had to go back to work. And since my internship has been completed, I couldn’t accompany him. I also have a few days left before I return back to university and start preparing for my finals.

A knock on the door brings me out of my empty thoughts. The door opens, revealing Faizan.

“Assalamu Alaikum, amar.”

My lips form a smile, I put away the brush and sign, “Wale Kum Assalam,” I make my way towards him and kiss his cheek, “welcome home,”

“Thank you,” he says, shutting the door behind him.

“How was your day?” I ask after we take our seat by the table.

“Fine.”

“Did you eat the food we packed?”

I was serious when I said I am going to make sure he eats properly. He’s always working and I need him to be healthy. So, today, I woke up before him to help Salma make his lunch and then told him if he doesn’t finish it, I’m not going to talk to him.

Some may call that emotional blackmail but I call it caring.

“Yes, amar.”

I squint my eyes at him.

“I promise I ate it.”

“Okay. Good job.” I grin at him and he returns a small smile.

“I have something to ask you.” he says.

“Ask me.”

“Will you accompany me to a business event tonight?”

“Are you asking me to be your date, Faizan Malik?”

“Yes, I am.”

I smile, “I would love to go with you.”

He smiles, “Perfect.”

ᯓᡣ𐭩

After having dinner, Faizan and I started getting ready for the event.

Technically, I started getting ready before him because I needed to pick out a dress, matching hijab and jewelry while he went to his home office to do some work.

I decided to wear a dark blue dress. It’s plain but elegant, the color shines when light hits it.

Faizan returns to the room when I sit by the dresser to get ready, put on some jewelry and hijab.

Faizan changes into his black suit, making him more attractive than he already is.

How many women saw him in this suit before? He’s always in a suit for work. If I tell him to stop wearing suits to work, will he stop? But that’s unprofessional.

“Amar, you’re staring.”

I blink and realize I’ve been staring at him, holding my lipgloss near my lips since he came out of the bathroom dressed in his suit while he was busy fixing his cufflinks.

I put away my lip gloss so I can sign properly, “so? It is my right as your wife to stare at you as much as I like.”

Nice save.

He chuckles, “of course, my apologies.”

I smile and return back to putting on my lipgloss then move on to putting on my hijab and heels.

“Ready?” Faizan asks as I get up from my seat. I nod and he kisses my cheeks, “you’re beautiful, amar. Masha’Allah.”

I smile and sign, “thank you. You’re very handsome yourself, Masha’Allah. Might need to slow down, I can’t always be around you to shove my wedding ring in front of women who try to stare at you.”

He lets out a soft laugh, the sound filling up my heart with joy, “Don’t worry, amar. I always make sure everyone knows I’m married to a beautiful woman.”

My smile widens and I let him capture my lips in a soft kiss before we leave.

Faizan drives us to the event, one hand placed on the steering wheel while the other holds my hand- even while shifting gears.

We arrive at the banquet hall where the event is being held. The hall is grand with tall ceilings, huge spacing, small tables placed around the space with beautiful flowers placed in beautiful decorated vases. A huge chandelier hangs from the ceiling, enlightening the hall. Men and women are lost in their conversation as waiters pass by holding trays of drinks and small appetizers.

As soon as we step inside the banquet, a few businessmen spot Faizan and hurry over to talk to him- some along with their partners.

Faizan introduces me to them before their conversation switches to business. I keep taking quick glances at Faizan as he talks to the other businessmen. The way his voice is firm, the choice of his words perfectly shows his vision.

After a while, Faizan is finally left alone with me.

“You’re famous.” I sign to him.

“You think so?”

I nod, “you’re also so smart. I barely knew the words you were using. I have to go home and search up their meanings.”

“You don’t have to. I’ll tell them.”

“Are you trying to impress me, Faizan Malik?”

“Is it working?”

“Maybe.”

He gives me a small smile and I return mine.

“Look who it is! Our group’s favorite couple!”

Our heads turn towards the source of voice to find Faizan’s friends walking towards us. The man who said the words was Jack.

“They’re the only couple in our group,” Ryan points out.

“That’s why they’re the favorite. For now. When I get into a relationship, we will be the favorite.” Jack says.

“Do you have someone in sight?” I sign and Faizan translates.

“Well, uh, not exactly,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck.

“He likes to live in his delusions,” Finn says, “and we like to feed his delusions.”

“Except us,” Faizan and Ryan say at the same time.

“That’s because they’re jealous that we will be better in our relationship.” Farhan says.

“Exactly.” Jack says.

Finn, Farhan and Jack continue to list reasons why they’d be better in their relationship while Ryan and Faizan shake their heads at them.

“So, Arzo, what habits of Faizan do you hate?” Jack asks me after their argument dies down.

“There aren’t any habits that I hate about him. I just don’t like that he doesn't eat properly.” I sign and Faizan translates.

“There’s no way she said that.” Finn says to Farhan

“She did.”

“Seriously?” Finn asks me, “there’s nothing about him that’s annoying?”

He’s annoyingly attractive but I’m sure they don’t want to know that.

So I just shrug.

“Give her a few more months and she will find something.” Jack says, grinning at me.

Faizan rolls his eyes while I let out a small chuckle. The men continue to talk- more specifically, Finn, Farhan and Jack talk while Ryan and Faizan barely pay them any attention-

Something hits the back of my head suddenly, not hard enough to knock me out but for pain to pound in my head. My hand reaches behind to grab the spot as I suppress a wince.

“Dude, careful!” Farhan calls out to whoever with the object- maybe a waiter holding a tray-

Shut up!

I flinch at the sudden voice in my head, my eyes widening with unrecognized fear, my ears ringing.

What.. was that?

I come out of my haze as I feel a hand place down on mine- which is holding the back of my head.

“Amar? Can you hear me?” his concerned voice reaches me next.

I nod without tearing my eyes from the ground, trying to figure out what just happened.

“Maybe you guys should head home,” I hear someone say in a concerned voice- Jack, I think.

“Let’s go.”

Faizan holds my hand and leads me away from his friends, out of the banquet to his car and I follow him mechanically.

I keep checking the back of my head thinking there’s blood but that’s not possible, it was just a tray.

The loud, harsh voice from earlier follows me home, leaving a fear in my chest that I don’t understand. Faizan asks me something but his voice is blur.

When we reach home, he checks me for any injuries and asks if I want to go see a doctor. I shake my head. I can hear the concern in his voice but I can’t see it. My eyes are distant but I don’t know where they’re looking.

Faizan and I change, make wudu and stand to offer Salah. My lips move itself, reciting the Surah and supplications throughout the whole prayer.

After we’re done offering Salah, I lay my head on Faizan’s shoulder, closing my eyes as he recites a Surah. His soothing, soft voice and the words of the Surah bring me a feeling of safety and comfort, pushing the fear out of my chest as I start to fall asleep to the sound of his voice.

I feel him pick me up then I feel the softness of the mattress beneath me then the duvet covers me. I feel him kiss my forehead and he whispers something but I don’t hear it.

As soon as I feel his arms around me, I’m ready to give in to my slumber.

But somewhere in the darkness of the night, I hear those harsh words again.