Beneath Guarded Hearts - 77

Previously…

Sul6an

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.

______________

Asma

            I stared into his deep blue eyes until he looked away from me. His fingers reached up and gently took away my soft palms that were cupping his cheeks, and he sat upright. I waited.

3bdulla: “Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Well they actually come in pairs but have your pick.”

            He offered a tight smile.

Me: “3bady, just tell me. Whatever it is, I'm sure we’ll figure it out. Together.”

            I gave him a warm smile to encourage him to open up, even though we both knew that I wouldn’t give up until I found out what it was he was hiding from me. He inhaled deeply, took another sip of his hot chocolate and let his gaze fall low.

3bdulla: “I’ll start with the first issue…”

Me: “Wait, there’s more than one problem you’re hiding from me?”

3bdulla: “I’m not sure if it even IS a problem, ufff Asma just let me talk…”

            I held my tongue and let him continue.

3bdulla: “Sul6an got into a really bad car accident a week ago. He had to stay in the hospital for a couple of days because his injuries were a little deep, but nothing that couldn’t be healed. I didn’t want to worry you or anything, he’s alright now and he just got out of the hospital…”

            I barely felt the tickle of the tears as they tiptoed down the curve of my cheek. I couldn’t think properly, the shock still in place, my mind not quite registering that while I was out here skiing and having the time of my life, Sul6an was lying in a hospital bed.

3bdulla: “Asma?”

            I turned to 3bady, not knowing what to say to him.

Me: “Can I just have a moment?”

            He knelt closer, and I could feel his warm breath on the imprint of my teardrop as he spoke again.

3bdulla: “Asma… he’s okay. He left the hospital today. Did you hear me? Sul6an is fine.”

            I felt his arms encircle my trembling body, but for the first time I didn’t feel his comforting warmth. I wiped my tears away, hating when I lost my composure in public. I attempted a weak smile.

Me: “So what’s the good news?”

3bdulla stared at me in a somewhat sympathetic way. There was a certain look on his face that I couldn’t quite understand. I eyed him suspiciously.

Me: “3bdulla? What’s going on? Are you planning something?”

            He smiled at me wickedly.

3bdulla: “Nope, this one you did all on your own. Let’s just get you home, okay? And we can do something special for Sul6an, how about that?”

            3bdulla knew how to distract me, and it worked well.

Me: “Like a surprise? I love planning surprises! Okay so this is what we can do…”

3bdulla

            I sighed as I listened to my distracted wife, trying to decide whether my news was actually good or not. It all depended on how Asma felt about it. I was sure about my own feelings and I thought I knew how Asma would feel as well, but I couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe… I couldn’t fathom that thought.

Me: “Asma?”

Asma: “Yes?”

            She replied so sweetly, I was so afraid of speaking another word that might shock her. And it wasn’t exactly good for her either, to be taking in so much shock in one day. I battled with my head as to whether I should just tell her or wait until we reached Dubai. I went against my better judgment.

Me: “Asma, you’re pregnant.”

Sul6an

            I stepped into the majlis the butler directed me into and sat stiffly on one of the deserted luxurious chairs. Not moments passed and Ahmad walked himself in. I kept my expression blank, careful to control my temper.

Ahmad: “Sul6an, how good of you to come. Salamat I heard you got into an accident. How was your recovery?”

            I gave him a steady, cold gaze.

Me: “We need to talk.”

            He attempted a light laugh as he sat on a couch in front of me.

Ahmad: “I'm sure it’s not of importance. It can wait a few minutes, I'm sure. Here, let me indulge you with some tea.”

            He gestured a maid who appeared out of nowhere to come forth and who was apparently standing there the whole time. She bobbed respectfully and poured me a cup of sweetened red tea. I hadn’t even noticed her. Were all his servants trained to appear invisible? I took a sip from my cup and set it down.

Me: “Yes, as a matter of fact it is important. We made a deal, and you couldn’t stick to your end of it. I'm out, Ahmad. I'm done with you, AND your unreasonable daughter.”

            His little masquerade dropped and he glared darkly, but he wasn’t directing it at me. Ahmad turned to the same maid and whispered something to her, and she scurried off in a hurry.

Ahmad: “I thought you would say this, so I decided to have this matter resolved before you make any foolish decisions in your anger. It will take but a moment of your time, if you will.”

            I sat with exaggerated patience as I waited, trying to figure out what Ahmad had planned out for me this time. The maid came back and cracked the door open just a slight, nodding at her master from the other side. Ahmad graciously got up from his seat, his shoulders squared, and simply left the room without another glance. I was about to leave myself, when my jaw dropped. My feet glued themselves to the floor, feeling weak yet unable to make a move, as I stared at the benign creature that stood in front of the now completely shut door. I tried to look away, but she was so beautiful, so gorgeous, that it hurt to admit that I could never allow myself to have her. I knew that an evil soul lay hidden beneath that angelic exterior.

Me: “What a shame.”

            I said with utter confidence, betraying my desire to feel her lips on mine.

Me: “To waste such genes on such an ungrateful child.”

            She was staring at the floor the whole time, for once with evident crimson cheeks and a discomfited expression. She didn’t like being paraded in front of me wearing such an exposed dress. It showed all over her body, the way she stood in front of me. She looked up now.

3alya: “Do I LOOK like a child to you?”

            She tried to sound like the fearless, defiant 3alya I have grown so accustomed to. It didn’t work. Her lips trembled as she waited for my answer. I pretended to look over her again, tilting my head slightly, secretly enjoying my inspection of her, and replied acidly.

Me: “Yep, pretty much. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting to attend to.”

            I was about to shove past her when she reluctantly yet urgently grabbed my arm.

3alya: “Please don’t do this. You have no idea what this means for me if I fail my father.”

            I didn’t even glance at her as I shrugged my arm away from her grip, as if I couldn’t fathom the touch of her.

Me: “You have already failed you father, 3alya. And I will never marry a person like you.”

            I strode off arrogantly, a posture I used one too many times when I wanted to piss people off. As I opened the main door of the house to take my leave, I snuck a glance at her, standing in the doorway of the majlis, and ignored the tears that I pretended not to see streaming down her reddened cheeks. I closed the door loudly behind me.

To be continued…