Chapter VI: Friends and Foes

The sun rays penetrated through the glass walls of the greenhouse, stimulating the plants growth. Najmah was busy transferring the blooming seedlings into various pots after asking Ferah for permission who was more than happy for she was far too busy to take care of it.

After successfully transferring them to the pots, she arranged them in a corner then set to plant new seeds. Using her thumb and index finger, she pinched the top of a few leggy plants, for them to grow fuller and healthier before spraying pyrethrum around the greenhouse to ward off ants and aphids.

Using the back of her mud covered hand, she wiped away the tiny sheen of sweat that rolled down her face then bent down to pick a broom and began to sweep the mess she made while transplanting.

When she was done, she stepped back to admire her handiwork. Satisfied with it, she turned around to go back in and take a shower when she froze, letting out a scream.

"God, for someone who loves horror movies you do get scared easily," he smiled, placing his hands in the pockets of his sweatpants.

He was on his way into the house after jogging around the neighborhood when movement in the greenhouse caught his eye so he decided to check out who it was.

She stared at him in awe, seeing how handsome he was when he smiled, it was the first time she had seen his smile ever since she came to Istanbul. For the one week she had spent with him, she came to think that he had no emotions; his face was always stoic and neutral.

"How did you know?" she queried curiously. They've never had a long conversation except for the time he told her not to expect anything from him. 

"I have my ways," he shrugged, leaning unto the doorframe. "You have a lot of hobbies I must say. So apart from painting and gardening what else do you do?"

She stared at him, trying to decipher what he was trying to do. "Sleep," she shrugged.

"Really?" his brows rose up, his lips lifting up into a mock smile.

"Yup," she replied monotonely stepping out of the building together with him.

They walked side by side into the garden, making idle conversation, talking about nothing in particular. She plucked some lavender blue hyacinth and passed it to him then plucked a few white roses and lilies. She collected the hyacinth, thanking him then moved towards the house.

From the balcony of her room, Afet had watched the exchange between the duo. Her hands clenched into fists by her side and she gritted her teeth, her nose flaring. She'd been in the house for more than a year yet he had never walked with her talk less of engaging in a conversation with her yet there he was, smiling at the Nigerian idiot. The girl was beautiful she'd give her that credit but apart from that, she saw nothing appealing about her character so why was he giving her his attention? The attention she deserved. Why was it so hard for him to love her?

Afet wasn't the only person who had seen the duo, Ferah and Faik were on their way out when they caught sight of them. Her heart had fluttered with joy at the sight of her son smiling down at Najmah as she clutched her husband's hand, a tear escaping her eyes.

"Look," she pointed at the duo. "He seems happy Faik. Just look at his smile."

The last time she had seen that particular smile was two years ago before that incident. He had been so hard on himself that he pushed everyone away but now, seeing the two of them together gave her hope; Najmah was slowly bringing back her son to life.

{••}

Najmah had showered and changed into a red fit and flare dress, wrapped a veil in a turban style before strolling towards the library. Pushing the door open, she went in, walking towards the books and picked the first book that caught her eye; “The Devil Wears Prada” by Lauren Weisberger. She sank into the beanbag chair, getting completely immersed in the story. When she was done reading, she returned the book back where she took it then proceeded to look for another book to read.

"Najmah," She heard Lale call her, knocking on the door.

Lale pushed the door open and went in, her eyes scanning the room till they fell on Najmah.

"I knew I'd find you here," she walked further in. "Lunch is ready, come down and eat with us."

"Okay," she nodded, abandoning her mission. Lale had a penchant for interrupting her reading sessions, she thought as she followed her out of the library.

They walked down the stairs with Lale telling Najmah about her almost-done project. The fashion show was only two weeks away and she was so happy that she was finally going to achieve her dream.

They sat down on the table with Najmah right next to Aslan and Lale across from them, Afet was busy shooting daggers at her but she wasn't aware of it.

Lunch was eventful, as Lale was going on and on about her fashion show. Aslan hadn't uttered a word, just nodding his head. Najmah occasionally threw in a word or two when she was addressed.

Afet although irked by the presence of Najmah had kept her contempt aside and engaged in the conversation with Lale, apparently, fashion was one of her greatest weakness.

When they were done eating, Lale, Afet and Aslan filed into the living room while Najmah went up to Hilal's room.

{••}

When she found Hilal asleep, she decided to head to the media room since she wasn't in the mood to socialize. She found Afet watching a movie so she propped down on the sofa without so much as a glance towards Afet who found it insulting.

"Some people have a habit of coming into places where they are not needed," she stated, staring at Najmah with contempt.

"And some people have a habit of poking their noses in matters where their opinion is not needed," she retorted, scrunching up her face a little.

"You know, it'd only be a matter of time before he sends you packing after all you aren't his choice and you don't fit in the category of women that he desires."

"Oh, pray tell, what kind of woman does he desire?" she turned around to face her, deciding to put her in her place. "Certainly not you."

Afet's face paled, the smirk dancing on her lips disappeared and was replaced with a deep scowl. "He desires a woman with the highest calibre of poise and elegance, beauty and intelligence which are the departments you're lacking in," she responded, crossing her arms.

"Well that is not my problem," Najmah shrugged. "Whatever woman he desires, or should I say desired is a thing of the past. He's a married man with a woman who has neither poise nor elegance as you clearly stated or beauty and intelligence. Deal with it."

"Watch your back, you never know who's coming for you after all a man acknowledges the lover more than he acknowledges the convenient wife," she sneered, her tone too confident.

"Whatever the consequences of our marriage, you have no say in it. Do yourself a favor and stop daydreaming. If he loved you, he would've married you, but he didn't. I'm his wife, his very first wife. Suck it up!"

"Doesn't matter because you are just a gifted bride to him and you know what happens to gifts when we don't want them," she smirked when she saw the displeased look on Najmah's face. "We discard them."

"You know what? You're not worth the calories I burn in talking to you," Najmah stated, making way for the exit.

"You are unfit to be his wife, you don't belong here and I'm going to make sure that I send you back to the place where you came from even if it's the last thing I do," Afet sneered, raising her hand to strike Najmah but she quickly caught her wrist.

"Let me express my gratitude for your attempt to slap me and for showing me who you are," Najmah raised her hand to slap Afet but she caught it also, smiling triumphantly.

"You think you can hit me?" she smirked.

"Oh but honey, you are forgetting something. I have my left hand," Najmah responded, her expression mirroring Afet's.

Before Afet could comprehend what was happening, Najmah's left hand had connected with her face. "You..." she began but stopped, holding her chin.

"Next time you attempt to hit me, a mark on your chin wouldn't be the only thing I leave," Najmah threatened, sidestepping the now astounded Afet.

She left the media room and went to Aslan's room, seething. She paced the length of the room, her fists clenching and unclenching.

"How dare she?" she groaned, feeling the urge to go back and teach her a lesson. She wasn't a violent person as she hardly interacts with people but when someone tries to hit her, that's when she becomes violent. The veins in her neck popped out, her breathing became ragged and she struggled to get her bearings.

"Whoa easy there," Aslan careened towards her. "Calm down, try and breathe."

Her eyes burned as streaks of tears rolled down her face, she was finding it hard to breath and his presence was making it more difficult.

He placed his hand on hers but she pushed him away, wiping her tears. He ignored her and placed his hand again but this time around she didn't push him away.

After a few breathing exercise, she was able to breathe normally again. She was being a crybaby in front of him and she hated it but it was beyond her control.

"What happened?" he queried, passing her a glass of water.

She gulped it down, then stared at him deciding on whether to tell him or not. "Afet."

He raised his eyebrow up, urging her to explain further.

″Why do you care?″ was what she wanted to say but seeing the look on his face, she replied instead;

"She said mean words to me, very rude words then she tried to hit me."

"She hit you!" he exclaimed. "She's so going to..."

"No, she didn't, I did. I caught her hand just in time then slapped her," she cut him off. Again, she wanted to call him off on his sudden interest but decided to let it go.

"Well I'm glad that you're okay," he replied.

His eyes widened at the realization of what he just said, he was glad that she didn't hear him otherwise it'd be really awkward. He didn't want any connection with her, yet he finds himself completely drawn to her and he can't stay away. 

"Thank you for..."

"It's nothing, I'm sure you would've done the same for me," he replied, cutting her off.

"Yeah," she nodded.

"Friends?" she stretched out her hand for him to shake, surprising herself. She almost retracted her hand when she saw the speculative look on his face.

"Yeah, friends." He took her hands in his, smiling at her.

"Can I get my hand back please?" she quirked her eyebrow, fighting off a grin.

"Sorry," he released her hand smiling sheepishly.

{••}

Time flew by and it's been a week since Najmah and Aslan made a pact to become friends. Slowly, he began to smile again although not the way he used to, but it was a step in the right direction.

Afet hadn't bothered Najmah since the day she got slapped and had avoided her ever since, planning on how to get back at her.

With Aslan's presence in her life, Najmah had become less depressive and her anxiousness had taken a back flip.

Lale's fashion show was fast approaching and she had been absolutely busy, trying to get everything under control.