Beneath Guarded Hearts - 76

Previously…

3alya

She eyed me suspiciously, but before she could start questioning me, I slipped a thick pack of folded 500Dhs notes into her hands.

Me: “You would be doing me and Mr. Sul6an a huge favor.”

I gave her a warm smile, trying to conceal the pain that I couldn’t ignore as Sul6an’s words echoed needles into my head. I smiled at her nod.

Nurse: “Sure madam, anything for Mr. Sul6an.”

______________

Asma

            I shivered as I savored the warmth of his body. He refused to let me continue skiing and took me into a café in town and ordered some hot chocolate for the both of us. I felt so serene as his arms wrapped around me, right until he opened his mouth.

3bdulla: “We’re going home.”

Me: “What? What do you mean home? First you deprive me of skiing for 2 days, and now you’re saying we’re leaving altogether?”

3bdulla: “I can’t let you risk yourself like that again. It was stupid of me to take you here.”

            I couldn’t believe a word that was coming out of his mouth. What was wrong with him? He knew I always took risks and enjoyed trying new things, so why was he suddenly holding me back?

Me: “Are you even listening to yourself?”

3bdulla: “Just stop arguing and deal with it! Why can’t you listen to anybody? It’s not always going to be your way, Asma. Suck it up, we’re going home.”

            I just stared at him, baffled at what I was hearing. I forced myself to hold my tongue. Maybe he was just getting rid of all his negative energy. He would cool down in a while and see what a complete lunatic he looks like right now. He would. I waited for him to continue, still staring at him intently, listening carefully, but he didn’t say another word.

3bdulla: “What are you looking at?”

            I tried another approach in an attempt to calm him down. I smiled at him.

Me: “Well, aren’t you done playing the father role?”

3bdulla: “I wasn’t playing the father role.”

Me: “Good. Because I bargained for a husband, not a second dad.”

            As I said it I leaned up slightly, still looking into him, teasing him with my grin.

Me: “But we both know you’re very much my husband, don’t we?”

3bdulla: “Asma, bass. There are people here.”

            His voice was low as he hissed the words out, but even I couldn’t miss the desire building in his eyes.

Me: “So what? We don’t know them, they don’t know us… that makes it awfully convenient, don’t you think?”

3bdulla: “Ya Allah, I can’t do this.”

            He shut his eyes, but there was a guilty look on his face. I knew that look all too well. I straightened up and held his face in my palms. My voice turned serious, the playful tone banished completely.

Me: “3bdulla, what are you hiding from me?”

Sul6an

            I hadn’t heard from 3alya, and I was released a day after her last visit. I was still so bitter, so angry, not at her picture but her attitude as a whole. I was sick of her. It was like dealing with a child whose second nature was manipulation. I found out about her hidden cameras, had been so enraged that the nurse who had mistakenly planted them had probably been fired. I felt bad about it now – after all, it wasn’t her fault that 3alya was probably mentally ill – but I didn’t know what her name was or whether she was fired or simply transferred to another sector. I sighed as I was limping on my right leg.

Rashid: “Sul6oon, chan tba baneeblik wheelchair…”

            I glared at him. He smiled back. He knew me too well.

Rashid: “Chill man, I was just playing.”

            He covered his face with his arms, laughing as he pretended to protect himself from an expectant blow. I gave him a light punch on his shoulder.

Me: “Does Asma know anything?”

            I was suddenly concerned whether someone had told her. I didn’t want to ruin her honeymoon, and knowing Asma, she would rush on the first plane back to Dubai and volunteer in her outrageous tactics to take a break from college and nurse me. And probably hunt 3alya down with her friend Nouf. That is, if I chose to tell her.

Rashid: “I tried to keep it from reaching her, but I forgot about Sara and she told 3bdulla yesterday. I’m not sure if he’ll tell Asma or not bas I haven’t been able to reach either of them yet.”

Me: “There’s probably no ersal.”

Rashid: “Or they’re too busy.”

Me: “Doing what?”

            He merely winked at me and ran for his life when he saw the look in my eyes.

Me: “You’re abusing your advantages, Rashood. You forget that I heal fast and I’ll be able to beat you up in no time.”

             He laughed from afar and slowed his pace until I caught up with him. I let him help me into the car and told him where to go. It was time I had a word with 3alya’s father, once and for all.

To be continued…