Share
146
Related chapters
Behind A Smile 147
Bilal froze - his hand hooked, midair. His heart instantly began to thump rapidly in his chest. He quickly brought down his arm and opened his mouth to explain, to apologize but words failed him. Instead, a lone tear slipped out of his eye as he realized the gravity of his action. Without another word, he turned around and walked away, leaving Zynah stunned and hurt. Once an abuser, always an abuser - Zynah couldn't help, but agree with the harsh truth. Her eyes were still widened. She still couldn't believe Bilal had attempted to hit her again. Not after all they had been through. Not after promising never to do it again. For the past few months, Bilal had worked really hard in trying to make her know how changed he really was, but one little hurdle in the way, was all it took to reignite the monstrosity in him. She understood why he was angry - anyone in his shoes would be, but instead of listening to what she had to say, he acted rationally and ended up exacerbating the situat
Behind A Smile 148
Bilal's heart raced as he parted his lips to ask her if she loved him too, but he fathomed he could be crossing the boundary drawn, so he ended up stomaching his question. He would patiently wait for the time she would reciprocate and if the time never arrived, he would accept that as his fate and learn to live with the fact. If her feelings for him were indeed still alive, they would reveal themselves in due time. Zynah's lips thinned into a line. She seemed to have predicted what was on his mind. She heaved a sigh, as she also didn't have a straightforward reply to the question. "So...I found out what you and Adnan were up to. Why you two were so eager for me to return, huh?" Bilal chuckled. "The surprise has been ruined, all thanks to my irrational self." "Trust me, it wasn't ruined," Zynah reassured him. "I sincerely appreciate your efforts, yours and Adnan's." "Adnan!" He suddenly exclaimed, glancing at his wristwatch. "Oh no! It's five minutes past his closing hour
Behind A Smile 149
Zynah stretched her limbs and yawned, her eyes opening to reveal an empty room. The soft morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow in the room. She glanced at the nightstand and found a plate of freshly cut fruits. A small smile spread across her face at Bilal's thoughtful gesture. As Zynah got out of bed, and sauntered towards the living room, she could already hear the sound of video game playing. As expected, she found Bilal and Adnan seated with folded legs in front of the television. Her presence wasn't even acknowledged until she cleared her throat. Bilal's gaze automatically darted to her and his lips curved into a lopsided smile. "And the sleeping beauty is finally awake." Zynah couldn't hold back a chuckle. "Did I sleep for too long?" She asked, taking a seat on the couch behind them. "Not really," Bilal replied, dropping the gamepad on the floor, and moving to sit on the couch beside Zynah. "Are you feeling better now?" "Yeah," Zynah re
Behind A Smile 150
Clad in a pure white kaftan, Bilal was standing in the living room and glancing at his wristwatch. He had been waiting for Zynah to emerge from her room for quite a while now, but she seemed to have forgotten that they had somewhere to go. He heaved a sigh and was about to go to her room when he sighted her approaching. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting," she apologized as soon as she got close. "I couldn't find my phone." Bilal waved his hand dismissively. "It's alright. Let's go." He jiggled the keys in his hand as they walked out of the house. Zynah locked the door and sauntered out to Bilal standing by the other side of the car. Immediately she got close, he walked to the other side of the car and and opened the door for her. "Thank you," Zynah muttered. "You didn't have to do that though," she said, a smile tugging at her lips. As much as she wanted to deny it. The little gentlemanly gestures from Bilal warmed her heart. It had always been what she wanted from hi
Behind A Smile 151
Bilal was seated in the car, his head on the steering wheel. Zynah's gentle knock on the window startled him. "Bilal," she mouthed before opening the door and getting in. "Bilal," she called again, her voice rising in alarm. "Are you alright?" Her heartbeat raced when she got no reply. "Bilal." She panicked and tapped him on the shoulder. "Bilal!" "I'm fine," he finally replied, raising his head from the steering wheel, and inserting the key in the ignition. "Are we leaving?" Zynah asked, surprised. "Is there something else you want to do here?" He asked, his tone flat. "Have you talked to Nazmeera's doctor about the speed of her recovery?" She asked. "We really need to know how it's going." "I have," Bilal responded curtly. "Anything else?" "We still have to talk to the doctor Muslim referred," Zynah persisted. Bilal's face scrunched. "About?" "About your own health of course," Zynah huffed. "Maybe some other time. I'm tired," He muttered, twisting the key in the
Behind A Smile 152
Waking up with a splitting headache had become a normal routine for Zynah. She yawned and stretched out, then closed her eyes again for a few more minutes, before the adhaan was made. Groggily, she got out of bed and ambled towards the bathroom to perform ablution and then offer her fajr prayer. It was already a quarter past seven when Zynah finished reading the Qur'an and had returned it safely to its place. The rays from the morning sun penetrated through the small opening of the window and shone on her - a reminder that a new day had begun. She sauntered towards the window and allowed her gaze wander around and linger on the beauty of nature; the sky was bright, flock of birds could be seen flying about. To Zynah, the morning seemed extraordinarily beauteous - she was having a good feeling about the day. Zynah heaved a sigh, breaking free from her trance. "What's this feeling?" She asked herself, as a smile crept its way up her lips. She shrugged it off, and sauntered out
Behind A Smile 153
After they had had breakfast, Bilal offered to drive Adnan to school, but Zynah wouldn't allow it. She insisted he rested and that she would drive him instead. Bilal didn't want to agree, but he knew he couldn't win the argument against Zynah and besides, he wasn't feeling too good, so he ended up giving in. "Thank you." He had muttered to her. Zynah smiled and shook her head. "Get some rest. I'll be back soon." Bilal nodded, his gaze following her as she picked up his backpack. "I'll be waiting for you," he said, his voice barely audible. "Drive safely." "I will," Zynah assured him. Then, she turned to Adnan.. "Say bye bye to Daddy." "Bye bye, Daddy," Adnan waved enthusiastically, his face beaming with excitement. "Bye, champ. Be good, okay?" Bilal replied, his voice filled with pride. "Okay," He responded and ran out of the house. With one last look at him, Zynah turned around and sauntered out of the house, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the quiet m
Behind A Smile 154
After tucking Adnan in for the night, Zynah kissed him in the forehead and turned off the lamp before walking out of the room. As she opened the door to her room, she was surprised to find Bilal sprawled out on her bed. She definitely wasn't expecting him there. Carefully, she closed the door behind her and walked into the room, and towards him. He wasn't asleep. "Hope you've taken your medicines for the evening," she began, her voice soft. "I don't want you to get sick again." Bilal hummed in response, his gaze trailing after her as she moved to the walk-in closet. Zynah could sense his gaze boring holes in her body, but she chose to ignore. After changing into one of her lingeries, she walked back to the bed. Bilal's gaze hadn't wavered from her. Not even for a second. Zynah stood beside the foot of the bed and gaze skeptically at Bilal. "Do you plan to sleep here, tonight?" she asked, not in an offensive tone. Bilal hummed again in response. "Can I?" "Yes,"
Latest chapter
