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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
Behind A Smile 005
Sitting idly in the huge house all alone, Zynah felt extremely bored, as usual. Boredom had become a familiar, unwelcomed guest. A sad smile played on her lips as she continued to stare into space. Memories of the past suddenly invaded her mind again. FLASHBACK Before Zynah could react, she was yanked back forcefully and when she was turned around, a tight slap met her face. "Subhan'Allah! How dare you act so indecently in front of my house?" He asked, his voice quivering from anger. She gasped and her hand flew involuntarily to her mouth. "Dad... I— I can explain. He...he was just leaving." She turned to him. "Please leave." She pleaded as tears prickled her eyes. She could only imagine what her father was thinking of her now — what a compromising situation he had caught her in. "Why shou—" he started to talk, but was immediately interrupted by Zynah. "Please." She repeated as a lone tear escaped her eyes. She didn't utter too much words, but she was sure her eyes con
Behind A Smile 006
The pet name, "Zee," a nickname she used to love but had grown to hate. It was a sweet melody from the past, one that she desperately wanted to silence. Bilal tightened his hold, a possessive gesture that sent chills down her spine. Before she could grasp what was happening, his lips were already on her neck, trailing kisses down to her collarbone. Panic jolted her awake. With all the strength she could muster, she shoved him back. "Please don't touch me," she begged in a quiet, but firm voice. Bilal's brows furrowed as he took a step closer to her. "Why shouldn't I?" He hummed. "I'm your husband, aren't I?" He asked, the entitlement thick in his voice. Zynah met his gaze in a silent plea. "Please...stay back." "Why should I?" A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes, the possessiveness morphing into suspicion. "Have you been seeing someone else?" He seethed, snatching her arm forcefully. A humorless scoff escaped Zynah's lips. "That's ridiculous! With me practically a pri
Behind A Smile 007
FLASHBACK "You're such a disgrace to this family. I pray dad never forgives you for this." Rashida seethed from the other side of the door. Sobs wracked Zynah's body, a choked, gasping sound. In all the years she had lived with her sister, she still couldn't comprehend why she was hated by her so much. She had tried to talk to her severally, but her efforts were futile. She refused to even give a listening ear to her and it always made her regret her decision to extend an olive branch. Aren't siblings supposed to support one another in time of need? Rashida was the complete opposite. They didn't share any sisterly bond. "Hey! I'm speaking to you. I hate to be ignored — you know this, right?" Rashida hurled. Her distasteful behavior hadn't just begun, but each barb felt like a fresh wound reopening. Each day brought a new, flabbergasting episode, leaving Zynah bewildered. Her sister was a master of disguise, a chameleon shifting colors depending on the audience. In front of thei
Behind A Smile 008
"Yes." She responded, the word dripping with condescension, followed by an eye roll. "Nazmeera. The one and only!" Zynah's chest fell and her heartbeat accelerated - Nazmeera at their doorstep? Things were definitely going to get uglier for her now. She could recall just how much she was hated by her. Nazmeera, Zynah recalled, had been a relentless tormentor the last time she visited them, making Bilal seem like an angel. She raised a brow, questionably. "Are you going to let me into my brother's house or keep me standing by the door?" Wordlessly, Zynah moved aside, giving way for her to go in. The way she left her luggage by the door for her to carry in, did not go unnoticed by her. She never stopped at nothing to make her life difficult and this time was not going to be an exception - she knew this all too well... And just as suspected, the queen bee issued her first decree. "Take my luggage to my room and be very careful with them as I have breakable things in them." N
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