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Behind A Smile 092
Zynah was still in the living room, pondering over the things Bilal had disclosed to her the previous night, when she heard the sound of the gate opening. "Why is he back?" She hissed and went to the window to take a peep. To her surprise, it wasn't Bilal's car. It was Mrs. Hafsa's. "Why are they back so early?" She wondered as she walked out of the house to welcome them. Immediately after Mrs. Hafsa and Ramlah hopped out of the car, Zynah moved forward, ready to approach them, but stopped abruptly in her tracks when the back door swung open, and Rashida came into view, her usual composed demeanor etched with grief. A tide of heat flooded her face, her eyes narrowing. Zynah's hands balled into fists as she looked at her. In that moment, she didn't pity her anymore. The pity had vanished a while ago. All she felt was fury. Standing before her was the person she considered her sister who'd gone behind her back to destroy her life. Why? Simply because she was a bitter and jealous per
Behind A Smile 093
In the midst of packing her stuff, Ramlah rushed into the room, standing in front of her, her face etched with concern. "Please, just take a minute to think this over, sis. Hasty decisions are always dangerous." Zynah shook her head. "I will have to leave sooner or later, so it doesn't matter when I do." She gently pushed her out of her way and continued folding her clothes into her suitcase. "Don't worry about me, Ramlah." "What did Ya Rashida do to you? Please tell me, sis." Ramlah beseeched, her voice trembling. "She told horrible lies to Bilal about me - that I was cheating on him, and a bunch of contemptible lies." Ramlah's hand flew over her mouth. "Are you sure? Who told you?" Zynah scoffed, ignoring Ramlah's questions. "Do you want to know the exact 'contemptible lies' she told him about me?" she hummed. "She told him that I aborted a child. Can you imagine? What have I ever done to her to deserve such treatment from her? I loved her like a big sister, and even t
Behind A Smile 094
Zynah couldn't believe her ears - Adnan wouldn't be going with her? She couldn't imagine herself going anywhere without him. It wasn't even possible. She had left him before and up till that moment, she was still regretting her action. Leaving him once again was something she promised herself never to do again. "I'm sorry, Mum, but I don't understand what you're saying. I'm not leaving with my son?" She asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Mum, please don't do this," Ramlah intervened, placing a hand on Zynah's shoulder in a silent show of support. "Adnan, go to your room." Mrs Hafsa ordered. Then, she averted her gaze from him to Zynah. "You can leave now if you want, but I won't allow you take Adnan." Adnan, sensing the tension, wrapped his tiny arms around Zynah's leg, refusing to move an inch. "Are you traveling again?" He asked, looking up at her with his big, brown eyes filled with confusion and sadness. "Please take me with you." Zynah swallowed a lump in her
Behind A Smile 095
Without wasting much time, Bilal changed into a white jallabiya and hurried out of the room. He walked past Zaahida's room, but suddenly halted in his tracks. His gaze lingered on her door for seconds, a strange mix of emotions swirling in him. He didn't want Zynah to be angry by her presence, and at the same time, he wanted to inform Zaahida. For her to be prepared to welcome Zynah with open arms. Finally, he knocked on the door. Almost immediately he did, the door creaked open, and a sad Zaahida came into view. Due to how red and puffy her eyes looked, Bilal could tell she had been crying. He instantly felt a little bad for the way he had been treating her. She'd been trying her best to be on his good sides. She didn't deserve to suffer. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, the words heavy on his tongue. For the second time in less than twenty four hours, he'd apologized to her. Zaahida's lips curved into a smile and her eyes shimmered with joy. "Are you going to have breakfast now?" Sh
Behind A Smile 096
Angrily, Ramlah stormed into Rashida's room with the intention of confronting her for the terrible thing she did to their sister. But on getting into the room, she met Rashida seated on the floor - at the foot of the bed crying. She cleared her throat, making her presence known. Immediately after Rashida felt her presence above her figure, she wiped her tears and raised her gaze. "Please leave the room, Ramlah. I want to be alone." "I came here to talk to you regarding what you did to Ya Zynah. That was very wrong of you and believe me, if she curses you, it's definitely going to affect you, because she has been oppressed by you. Why would you do something like that to her? What has she ever done to you, apart from being nice?" She questioned, her voice laced with anger. "It's none of your business, so kindly stay out of this." She wiped a lone tear that suddenly escaped her right eye. "You're both my sisters - my older sisters, so I have the right to interfere. I respec
Behind A Smile 097
Bilal's jaw dropped as he stepped inside. Zaahida had rearranged the house. It was sparkling. "Please make yourself comfortable in our home," Zaahida ushered them in, a smile plastered on her face. Without a doubt, Bilal knew she had something up her sleeves. Zynah's lips curved into an awkward smile. "Thank you," She said, taking a seat on the couch, and patting the space next to her—a silent invitation for Adnan to sit close to her. Zaahida smiled. "Don't mention it." Then, her gaze then averted to Bilal's grip on the suitcases. She quickly collected the small one from him. "I will help you take this to the unoccupied room." "No, it's okay. I can do it," Bilal said, reaching for the suitcase. Zaahida moved back a little and pursed her lips. "Billy! I get you're worried about me, but this isn't even heavy." Blankly, Zynah stared at them. Bilal had indeed change. In all the years she had lived with him, she didn't recall him ever trying to help. He was never a consi
Behind A Smile 098
"As salamu' alaykum," Bilal mumbled as he pushed open the door, gently with one hand, the other one, holding a small tray. "Wa' alaykum salaam," Zynah responded as he walked in. His gaze darted to Adnan who was lying quietly nestled in Zynah's arms. "Is he alright?" He asked, his voice laced with worry. "I guess he is missing home already," She responded. Bilal set the table down and crouched down in front of Zynah. "Superman," he called playfully, but got no response. Bilal looked up at Zynah seemingly asking for her help. Zynah only shrugged. "I think he is mad at me instead," Bilal said, then looked at Adnan again. "Are you mad at me? Do you still want to go to the park?" "Yes!" Adnan shrieked, jumping off Zynah's laps. "Careful," Zynah cautioned, a smile playing on her lips. "Let's go, daddy!" Adnan said, excitedly, tugging at Bilal's trouser. "We will, but before that, you will have to have breakfast." "Okay, daddy!" Adnan replied, his enthusiasm bub
Behind A Smile 099
"No," Zaahida said, shaking her head firmly. "You got it all wrong. I'm not deliberately telling you all these, because I want you to leave. If that was the case, I would have told you upfront. I don't really like beating about the bush." She defended herself. "Alright..." Zynah trailed off, unconvinced by her defence. "You seem like a good person," Zaahida continued. " I'm just concerned for you. I don't want you to suffer more here. I'm a girl's girl." "I appreciate your concern," Zynah smiled. "it's just that I don't feel comfortable talking about these stuff, especially with...with strangers. I'd really appreciate if you stopped meddling in my affairs." Zynah offered a smile, strained at the edges. "Noted. I'm sorry. I should leave you to rest." She stood up, and without glancing at her, ambled out of the room. Zynah gaze trailed behind her. She sighed and rubbed her temple. "Was I too rude to her?" She face palmed. "Maybe she was only trying to start a conversati
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