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Behind A Smile 068
"What?" Ramlah shook her head in disbelief. "Telp me this is a joke!" After breakfast, Zynah had broken the news of her decision to introduce Adnan to his father to the whole family. And as expected, they weren't so pleased to hear it. Zynah figured it was the best time to have the discussion with them as Adnan had already been dropped off at school. She didn't want him overheating their conversation, and possibly witnessing the argument that'd indisputably happen. "Are you out of your mind?" Mr. Aliyu bellowed, rising to his feet. "Did I hear you well?" You're introducing Adnan to him? "Dad..." Rashida called, her voice low-pitched. "Please don't do this. He is still the boy's father. He deserves to be in his life. I understand Zynah, and I believe it's the right thing to do." Hafsa cleared her throat, diverting all attention to her. Zynah closed her eyes, a silent prayer for Hafsa to support her too. "I really don't know the right thing to say at this moment," Haf
Behind A Smile 069
Ramlah slammed the door to her room, and collapsed on the bed on her back. She hit her head repeatedly acting so rashly. She didn't know what suddenly got into her. She was angry, that was certain, but she didn't mean all she said. She just wanted to make her point clear to Zynah. She got frustrated when she wasn't succeeding, and out of frustration, she decided to say hurtful things to her to get her to understand how wrong she was. She had said those things because she deeply cared about Zynah, and didn't want her to invite Bilal back into her life. In the past, she had supported and encouraged Zynah to be with whom her heart had chosen. But after finding out how he had turned out, she felt guilty for she was the reason Zynah agreed to elope with Bilal in the past. if she didn't get any support from her, she wouldn't have done it. As a way to rectify her mistake, she had promised herself to do everything in her power to keep the two apart. By introducing Adnan to Bilal, Ramlah
Behind A Smile 070
Zynah lifted her hand to take a glimpse at the time on her wrist watch. She had been seated in the ice cream parlor alongside Adnan for over two hours, and Bilal hadn't shown up yet. She didn't want to believe he stood her up because that was his chance to be in his son's life and not showing up, would automatically translate into him not caring. And she just might reconsider her decision. Maybe, just maybe Mr. Aliyu and Ramlah were right after all. "Let's go home!" Adnan whined, his face scrunched up. "Soon, Adnan," Zynah assured, caressing his cheek. "We're just waiting for your daddy to show up. Don't you want to meet him anymore?" "I'm sleepy," He complained, rubbing his eyes with the back of his palms. "I just want to go home." Zynah understood he needed to rest, after all it was Saturday. "Let's wait a little longer, okay? Do you want me to buy you more ice cream?" Adnan offered a toothy grin, his mood lightening up a little. Zynah took that as a yes. She becko
Behind A Smile 071
Watching them, Zynah knew she didn't make a mistake by letting Bilal know about his son. The love that shimmered in his eyes for the little boy was like none Zynah had ever seen. Not even when he claimed to be madly in love with her. The amount of tears he had she'd in such a short span of time was more than she had ever seen. Bilal was the type to never allow his emotions rule over his sanity. He always had that toxic masculinity all over him. He believed crying as a man was a sign of weakness. The day he saw them at the marketplace, she had seen tears in his eyes, but he still managed to keep his emotions under control. But this time, he wasn't even trying to suppress his feelings. He laid his heart bare, letting his vulnerable side show. Maybe. Just maybe, he'd make a good father to their son after all. "Adnan, sweetheart," Zynah called, also crouching to his level. She gently pulled him from Bilal's embrace and turned him around to face her. She wanted to ask him how he knew
Behind A Smile 001
"Who the hell were you speaking to, on phone just now?!" He asked, his voice laced with fury and distrust. She flinched at the tone of his voice, the phone clattering to the floor. Her lips quivered in a violent manner and her body began to tremble tremendously, like someone drenched in rain and had caught a cold. "I... I'm -" she attempted to explain herself, but was caught off by a resounding slap on her left cheek. Pain surged into her body from the impact of the monstrous contact against her cheek. Even without seeing it, she knew his palm would have definitely left its ugly print on her.She mustered all the patience she could and stopped herself from retaliating or even shedding a tear in his presence. He was not worth her tears at all, but in another viewpoint, she couldn't blame him for the way he was currently treating her. It was all her fault. She caused everything upon herself. If only she knew the type of a person he was...If only she could turn back the hands of tim
Behind A Smile 002
Consciousness flickered back, a slow tide pushing against the darkness. She was still lying where she had passed out. Wincing, Zynah pushed herself upright, her whole body aching. As she began to maneuver to their room—their room? Why was she even sharing a room with the monster? Why couldn't she muster the courage to escape from the house and his life for good? A butter laugh escaped her lips. The answer was simple — she had nowhere else to go. As cruel as he was to her, he was the only person who considered her family in the whole world. She had no one else to run to for help. With a shaky hand, Zynah grasped the doorknob and twisted it as gently as she could, revealing her supposed husband in bed. The brightness of his phone screen shone on his face. He didn't look up from his phone, oblivious of her return. She heaved a small sigh of relief for it was exactly what she wanted and needed— invisibility. This way, she wouldn't have to deal with his condescension, even if it would be
Behind A Smile 003
The day broke faster than Zynah had anticipated. She was awakened by the relentless call to prayer. Stretching, she rose, her whole body still aching. The bathroom offered her a moment of solace as she performed her ablution. . Emerging from the bathroom, her gaze landed on Bilal who was still comfortably sleeping in the bed and snoring lightly. Waking him for prayer was a gamble. She dared not for she knew what the outcome of her action would be and she wasn't prepared to face it yet — the day had only just begun. Bilal was the type of person who didn't like his sleep to be disturbed. He would probably get up like a wounded lion ready to pounce on his prey. Breathing profoundly, Zynah retrieved her prayer mat from the top of her bookshelf, where she always put it. Facing the Qibla, she spread it neatly on the floor and began her Fajr prayer. Each movement, each whispered supplication, was a plea for strength, for guidance. After she had finished praying, she remained on the mat, pou
Behind A Smile 004
Zynah flinched at the tone of his voice, but within a split second, she regained her composure. "The neighbor was here." She replied, curtly. Bilal didn't move, his gaze a dark storm cloud gathering above her. "The neighbor!" He echoed, anger dripping off his tone. "Did you just say that?" He questioned, taking a menacing step forward and invading her space. Zynah swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. "I said the neighbor was-" The sentence died on her lips as his callus palm struck her left cheek mercilessly. "How dare you! After giving you an order, you defy me?" He jabbed a finger towards his chest, his whole body taut with anger. She remained silent and it only infuriated him further. His brows furrowed and he gnashed his teeth in exasperation. "No one! I repeat, no one can ever come into this house henceforth, without my permission. You cannot go out either." He spat; his voice laced with venom. "Is that perfectly understood?" All Zynah could manage was a small, almost im
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