Beneath Guarded Hearts - 86

Previously…

Asma

I couldn’t say it. The vivid memory came rushing back, and I bit my lip awfully hard to stop the tears from plunging down my hazy eyes, until I tasted trickles of blood on my tongue. Why was he making me recollect painful memories that were long behind us? I turned around, refusing to show him my face, and squared my slumped shoulders. Just as I started for the door, he whispered something into the tense air.

3bdulla: “You may see him as a brother, but he sees you as something much more.”

And to think I thought he would apologize.

_____________

3bdulla

            It tore me up to see her tears, and it took all I had to keep from reaching out to her. She needed to see the truth. She needed to stay away from Rashid. Why was she so damn blind? But that thought disappeared as I saw her leave, and even though an apology was right at the tip of my tongue, I refused to say it.

Me: “You may see him as a brother, but he sees you as something much more.”

Her stubbornness angered me, and she wouldn’t get away with it. I jumped off the bed and reached her in three long strides just as she was about to turn the doorknob. I whirled her around and held her by her slim shoulders, glaring into her defiant eyes.

Me: “I didn’t say you could leave. We’re not finished.”

            She struggled under my gentle but firm grasp, trying to wriggle free. I pinned her to the door to stop the sudden urge to kiss her.

Me: “Stop it.”

            She refused to cry or to flinch away from my harsh voice. It was evident in her luminous eyes. She also refused to say a word, which angered me even more. I stood for about three seconds of tensed silence before I let out a curse and took her mouth into mine. She was taken aback, pushing rebelliously at my chest, but as I deepened the kiss, she relaxed and opened up to me, sliding her hands around my neck. I broke free of the kiss and heard her moan. She surprised me when she finally let the tears spill.

Asma: “Why do you do this to me? Why are you torturing me when you know the truth?”

            Before I could stop the words from escaping my mouth, I automatically answered her.

Me: “Because I love you. Because I can’t bear the thought of you belonging to someone else. Because you’re mine.”

Asma: “I was never his. I was always yours. I had my doubts about you before, but my feelings never changed, even then.”

            I was suddenly dumbfounded, not knowing what to say, because I realized that she was right.

Asma: “And you know that.”

            She saw the guilt in my eyes and took advantage of it. I nodded reluctantly, lowering my gaze.

Me: “Mhmm…”

            I felt her relax against my body as she tipped my chin up with her thumb, looking at me with a mixture of what seemed like amusement and caring.

Asma: “Now then, do you have anything you want to say to me?”

            I knew what she wanted to hear, but how I hated saying it. At first I refused, and then I saw her frown, and I knew that I was testing her patience.

Me: “Sorry…”

            I grumbled. She beamed at my words.

Asma: “What was that?”

Me: “Don’t push your luck, okay!”

Asma: “You stubborn, arrogant man. I shouldn’t let you get away with half the things you do to me.”

            She shook her head incredulously. I smiled then.

Me: “But you still do.”

Asma: “And God knows why!”

            I gave her a light kiss then, unable to resist the sweet taste of her.

Me: “Because you love me.”

            I whispered hoarsely, and picked her up and carried her to the bed as she laughed in eagerness. I made a mental note to have a word with Rashid, but every thought was cast out of my mind as I pinned her beneath me and kissed her slowly, teasing her. She was resistant at first, as if trying to teach me a lesson or to torture me, but she eventually gave in and opened up, and I took her in a fervent kiss, promising much more.

Asma

            Daylight crept up through the curtains, provoking my closed eyelids to open. I turned around, facing away from the unwelcome light, and reached for 3bdulla, snuggling into him. A soft smile crept up my lips as he held me and let me sleep a little more. My feet curled around his, hungry for his warmth, and he trembled at the innocent motion, hovered over me and kissed me awake.

3bdulla: “Good morning.”

            His velvety whisper tickled into my ears. I shifted a little and slowly opened my eyes, peaking up at him. I smiled warmly.

Me: “Good morning 7beeby. Did you sleep well?”

3bdulla: “With you beside me, always.”

            I blushed as I remembered last night, the first time I completely gave in to him after we had lost our daughter.

3bdulla: “Amoot feech.”

            He whispered as he started to kiss the curve of neck. I savored the feel of him on my skin for a slight moment before I let reality seep in.

Me: “Mmm, yalla we have to get up…”

3bdulla: “We don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

            He stopped his gentle kisses for a moment as he looked up at me and smiled knowingly, adding a wink. I laughed. One of us had to be sensible.

Me: “No 3abady, we need to get up. We’re moving back to your house today, remember?”

            He groaned and planted a light kiss on my lips before he got off of me.

3bdulla: “Always the over thinker.”

            I laughed at his slight frown.

Me: “Don’t worry, you have me for the rest of the day. I didn’t make any plans on purpose.”

3bdulla: “And the rest of the night, I hope.”

            He winked and rolled off the bed, heading into the dressing room to locate his clothes. I shook my head at him in bemusement, starting my own morning rituals as I headed for the bathroom. I heard his voice saying something through the door as I brushed my teeth and washed my face.

Me: “What?”

            I turned around and kicked the door slightly open to let his voice through, and I stopped brushing my teeth midway as I heard his words.

3bdulla: “I’m going to have a talk with Rashid today. Just thought I should let you know.”

            I quickly spat the foamy toothpaste from my mouth and gurgled water, choking a little in my hurried movements as I rushed over to him. I gasped a little at the sight of him, his wizar the only piece of clothing on him. His chest rippled with muscle as he turned around to face me. He smiled arrogantly at my slight distraction.

3bdulla: “Like what you’re seeing?”

            I blinked and shook my head, refusing to look anywhere but into his eyes.

Me: “What are you going to talk to Rashid about? I thought we resolved this.”

3bdulla: “We did, but he didn’t. He’s obviously in love with someone, and I’m going to find out whom, if not for my sake then for yours. And you will then stop fretting over him. Is that understood?”

            I nodded my head in obedience at his commanding tone, suppressing an argument.

Me: “Promise me you’ll go easy on him.”

            He rolled his eyes and turned around, his back facing me in impudence, and he picked up his kandora and slipped it on top of his head. I crossed my arms and waited in exaggerated patience. He finally turned around.

3bdulla: “I’ll deal with it, and that’s all I’m promising. Now take that frown off your face, it doesn’t suit you.”

            He kissed my temples and smoothed the creases of the long-gone grimace. I hugged him tightly and bade him a good day, and went over to start packing our things. I made a silent prayer to Allah to have this matter resolved painlessly and quickly. I pushed aside my worries and put my complete faith in Him, and started to take my belongings out of the closet. I summoned for the maid to come and help me, and I numbly packed the rest of my things as I worried over Rashid and 3bdulla’s conversation. Grimly, I thought of how to act in the case that Rashid’s mystery girl did, in fact, turn out to be me, even though the chances of it were sleek. I thought of 3bdulla, and prayed to God that it wouldn’t come to that.

To be continued…