CHAPTER 3: THE CRUSH
The heart is a strange organIt never seeks permissionNeither does it require protectionFor when it gets captivatedThere is no one that can save it.Not even the ownerJust the thief ~HumeyraIt has been weeks since the meeting day and I have adapted well to my fake version. I was myself when alone but with others I was not. My kidney was becoming a problem again. I have had kidney stones before but it has recently started to ache again.
I was staying with a sister in my apartment who become one of my best friends within the few weeks that I have spent in the university. I was forced to tell Aisha about my health condition since she was the closest person to me whenever am by myself.
The first time she noticed was when I couldn’t move due to the muscle crumps I felt after my dialysis session which was so intense to an extent that I couldn’t help but whimper in pain. After that day, she has been my constant helper and she would accompany me to each of my dialysis sessions. She has also been making sure that
I didn’t skip any of my routine checkup. She offered to take me herself the next day. I went with Aisha the next day afraid to know what was really wrong this time. The doctor took some blood samples and other tests including body scans.
He requested that I take a lot of rest for the time being and promised to give me a call once my medical results were out. We left the hospital and I decided to go to my favorite spot in the university to think.
It was a secluded place which was known to few people. I bought some candy, chocolate and ice cream, Choco stick to be specific and sat down on the large stone under the big tree. Many people would say that I am a spoilt rich girl but I know better.
My wealth was not an inheritance but self-made but nobody needed to know that for now. Besides who would believe that an 18 year old Lady would own a high cooperative company that is ran by her many hired managers and she is the C.E.O of the halal Jamil cloth line that had several branches all over the world .
I had so many different businesses but no one needed to know about them. While I was in school, I left my foster father in charge of all the businesses as a signatory though I still get to participate in decision making if it's a matter of investment.
Though am the youngest and wealthiest person in the eastern part of the world, my spending habit is not out of hand Alhamdulillah.Also,very few people actually know how I look like and that I own almost half of my countries businesses. You might wonder what am doing in school with such wealth.
Well I always liked drawing and architecture was my dream career hence that is what brought me here to study .I was deprived of a normal childhood but I would try and live a normal teenage life. I was so lost in thought that I didn't realize I had company, I was brought out of my thoughts by the sound of someone clearing their throats.
I screamed startled. I am not normally easily rattled but whenever I get immersed in my past it makes me weak to the core. Clenching my fist on my speeding heart, looked up with the intention to lash out .
Behold, the sight that greeted me was of someone who has plagued my sleep and invaded my thoughts even when I was wide awake. Asalamu aleikum warahmatullahi wabarakatu Humeyra. Am sorry I scared you, he said.
Wa... wa... wa aleikum salaam warahmatullahi wabarakatu. I stuttered swallowing to sooth my suddenly very dry throat. Ya wadud, Subhanallah. He is so handsome, the smile, the eyes, the nose, his perfect cheeks and a very tempting beard. I couldn't look away.
Uuuuumm... I tried to talk but nothing came out of my mouth. He smiled and lowered his penetrating gaze. I realize that you have been here alone for sometimes and you look worried. Are you alright ukhti? He asked. I didn't like him calling me his sister. Ugggh. I wanted him. Physically, intimately. I wanted him as a husband.
I couldn't help imagining myself holding him, kiss... ahem. I was once again brought out of my day dream by the man who I now realized I had a crush on.Astaghfirullah, what was I thinking about! I thought. Am sorry, I am having some problems but I will be alright. I responded.
He then said something that made me look up so amazed and hypnotized by him. Laa tahzan, inna Allahu maana. Allahu Akbar, how could someone be so perfect? I blatted out without thinking. He looked up at me surprised and wide eyed. I looked away blushing and asked, would you be my friend Hamdan? He looked at me unsure for it was against our religion.
He was about to say no when I looked at him with so much pain in my eyes and pleaded, please Hamdan, I need a friend and I don't trust easy but I trust you. I need someone who knows about my condition in case something happens to me.
I need a brother who can lift my spirit like you just did. Please Hamdan, don't abandon me. I said desperately. I was feeling so vulnerable at that very moment. I have never shown anyone how weak I was emotionally and yet he had brought it out of me without trying.
I felt like I needed him more that the air I breathe for the rest of my life. I looked away anticipating his rejection and the pain that would come with it. I am sorry. I apologized as I stood up to walk away his voice halted me in my steps. Humeyra? He called to me. Na'am, I replied.
Hand me your phone ukhti. I gave him my phone without thinking twice. He called his phone using mine and saved his number in my phone. Then he walked away after handing me my phone. I took the phone and smiled. He didn't have to give me an answer. I already got my answer. I think am falling for you Hamdan. I thought smiling.
4 years later.Khalid, come back here? Hey.. can you stop running around? You will get hurt." Wahid's voice resonated in the room grabbing Xander's attention.He placed the jug back on the table and walked towards the field where the voice came from. He wasn't the only one whose attention was grabbed. Farhana, Rumeysa, Muntaha, Humeyra, and every member of Hamdan's family walked out towards the field.There, the scene that greeted them made the ladies almost lose it as they laughed at the same time. Khalid, Laiba, Linah, Jibril, Murtaza, and Aliya were busy rolling in the mud.The field that was initially dry was now wet from the water they played with. The horse pipe was running. Wahid who had seen them first was trying to stop them but slipped and fell.This made everyone laugh. Seeing his beloved fall, Xander's heart almost stopped beating. " My little prince, are you alright?" He rushed towards Wahid and helped him up.His glare was too
Hamdan paced up and down along the corridor as he anxiously waited for news. He had rushed Humeyra to the hospital the minute she notified him of her water breaking.Fortunately, the hospital wasn't far from where they were. Looking at his wristwatch, a frown etched on his face. It had been three hours since he brought her here. Why wasnt there any news yet?Was she perhaps in danger? Did something go wrong? His mind was filled with all sorts of negative thoughts. It would be his fault if anything happens to her. His guilty conscience won't let him have peace."Ya Allah. Please, help her deliver safely. Please ya, Rahman. You are the most merciful. She has suffered a lot already. Don't let her suffer anymore."He prayed in his head as he continued pacing around. He couldn't bring himself to relax. Until he heard the cries of a baby. His heart stopped beating for a second. He was a father? Before he could arrange his thoughts in his mind, another cry follo
Humeyra walked along the beach enjoying the cool breeze. Fortunately, it was a private space. Her private space. She has been living in the Villa with the view of the beach to the front, the beautiful man-made forest to the back, and a buzzing town not far from where she lived.She was on a small Islamic Island. The mosque was towards the east. Anyone who wanted to visit the mosque walled around her place before getting to it. For this reason, she had let the people freely walk through her home three days a week.The other four days, the place was restricted. Anyone who wanted to move across would be forced to take the longer route. Fortunately, they understood boundaries and respected them.The neighborhood was not only friendly but also accommodating. She found herself feeling contented just walking around, interacting with them. Long gone was her introverted self who isolated herself from the world.She learned to embrace death as a natural phenomenon
Hamdan was home in no time.He had to settle things at home before he goes in search of his wife. As the first child of the family, both his sisters were now his responsibility.Fortunately, they were old enough to fend for themselves with enough supervision. In addition, three other men can take turns to check on them. He felt grateful for that simple fact.As he waited for his brothers to show up, he went back to his old room and packed a bag. He felt as though his heart was being squeezed in his chest. He was too deep in his emotional exhaustion that he forgot about Humeyra's pregnancy.Thirty minutes later, the entire Umar siblings were seated together waiting for their brother to say something. He had summoned everyone urgently. Abdirahman had a subtle smile on his face. He had an idea what the meeting was about.He had been wanting to tell Hamdan about his opinion. What his eldest brother did was stupid. Humeyra didn't deserve to be abandoned
It has been exactly three months since his parents' demise. Three months since he abandoned his pregnant wife. For this period, Hamdan never had a peaceful sleep.He couldn't help but wonder what had happened to his love for her. He could feel it. The racing of his heart whenever he thought of a fond memory with her.The way his hands would search for her svelte frame in the middle of the night. Even how he would unconsciously call out her name.Hamdan was aware that there was nothing in the world that could change his feelings for his wife. Not even the fact that she orchestrated his parents' death.What he couldn't forget, however, was his parents' blood. He couldn't take it. He had both parents one day and then the next, they were dead. The reason was no other than his most beloved person.He couldn't accept it. He could neither forgive his parents nor his wife. They were all guilty. He felt sick and suffocated all of a sudden. For the past thre
Muntaha's eyes have been staring longingly towards the curtains that were drawn. What was Rumeysa doing? Was she nervous or was she anxiously waiting for him? How does she look as a bride? As he drunk from his glass, he had several questions circumnavigating his mind.It was their wedding night after all. Unfortunately, he had not seen his bride the whole day. She was officially his halal wife. His one and only. He was a man used to having his way with women. Contrary to his initial thoughts, he found himself feeling regretful. How beautiful and memorable it would be if he had saved himself for his bride.Abdullah noticed Muntaha's gaze wandering from time to time. He wanted to stick around longer. Just to see how much longer his boss cum friend will resist the temptation. Yet, watching him was becoming a pain. He looked around at the men in the room and announced the end of the party.The men looked at each other in understanding and stood up leaving, one by on