Unpredictable

Episode fourteen.

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Life is getting better bit by bit. Muhammad is trying to turn a new leaf. He was trying so hard to be the responsible husband as Jafar advised.

Well unfortunately for Muhammad,everything gets awkward. When ever he strikes up aa conversation with Salma,he receives silence.

Why?

Well obviously,cause salma will be shocked at first but when she tries to go ahead with whatever he is saying, it gets awkward.

Very awkward.

The pain Muhammad was going through is slowly fading away. He learnt to accept Kamila’s death as qadr(destiny)

As for salma, her internship was progressing smoothly s she was always busy. She only met with Muhammad at dinner. When mama noticed the little progress between the couple,she decided that a walima(celebration) was on cue. She prayed fervently for them.

Zulaiha and Saudah were all at home so Fatima had an excuse for throwing up a walima. Jafar was also at home so that added up to her excuse. They were all so excited.

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Salma has been sick so she was contemplating on going to the walima. She decided if she felt better before the proposed day then she would atttend the walima. She was in her room catching up with Jiddah. She visited her after Muhammad has returned home. They have not been in touch since jiddah’s marriage.

You really have not been eating recently salma. You have reduced all that fat and you are currently suffering from an ulcer attack. Jiddah said. She was so shocked to see how salma turned slim. Salma was not a fat lady but she really lost a lot of weight. Poor thing. Thought Jiddah. Salma had issues.

Salma was an ulcer patient and that was due to lack of eating. Her step mom never gave her enough food,sometimes lunch. She was tired of living and was on the verge of breaking. Her father was a very important figure in her life since she has no mother figure. What a twisted fate.

I was not as fat as you think i was,and I’m fine. It’s just a mild attack. Replied Salma.

Really? Asked Jiddah surprised.

And since when did this young doctor started thinking like this. The you I know,is someone who takes a mere headache a threat to health. But you are taking an ulcer attack lightly. What is wrong with you upstairs?

Nothing. Replied salma waving off Jiddah’s question. How is Ahmad and how is our little son or daughter in there? She said pointing at jiddah’s little bump completely changing the topic. Her chest was burning.

Jiddah was two months pregnant so she was coping with her first trimester. She blushed hard before replying.

They are fine alhamdulillah. She said rubbing her stomach. She lives with her husband peacefully and she wish salma will also have that peace. It isn’t easy.

Guess what? Salma started.

What? Replied jiddah clearly dumbfounded. She had no idea what was going on.

Are you running out of English? I said guess. Salmaa complained.

Do you expect- started Jiddah just when Muhammad was passing by heading to his room. He heard voices coming from Salma’s room and curiousity got the best of him. He stayed there for a while as the two ladies chatted.

I met Jafar few days ago. Stated Salma. Muhammad recognized the voice as hers.

What?where? Asked Jiddah. That was the voice Muhammad couldn’t decipher.

Here at home Jiddah.

Ohh so that’s her name. She must be a friend or relative of Salma. Thought Muhammad. He is Muhammad’s cousin.

He heard a gasp. That must be Jiddah. He thought again.

His conscience was telling him that what he was doing was wrong but he really needed to know what salma was going to say concerning Jafar. He had to know. He had a feeling that there was something between salma and jafar. His guys were telling him so.

Wow! That was a hell of an encounter. Bellowed jiddah.

Hey lower your voice. Shushed Salma. Muhammad is at home. I don’t want him to hear us. Salma stated as a matter of fact.

Muhammad just listened curiosity killing him.

So…what did he say? Asked Jiddah. Looked like she was just as curious as Muhammad was.

Nothing. We just… exchanged greetings. Salma replied. I remembered when i used to meet him chatting with baba at the park. They had a special bench for whenever they were together. He reminded me of baba.

That’s not just it. You missed him Salma. Just admit it. You know i knew you guys liked each other. So spit it. Said Jiddah. Now that was new to Muhammad. He had always suspected something similar.

Hey stop it. That was in the past and not anymore. I’m married now,have you forgotten? Salma said trying to mask up a blush that was spreading on her cheeks. Salma was not even denying it and that made Muhammad infuriated so he left them. He couldn’t believe that. Somehow salma was not as innocent as she looked. Why did mama had to force him into marrying her when she liked someone. And the ridiculous part was that the someone she liked was not just someone. It was his very own cousin.

Incredible.

Muhammad didn’t know why he was angry. He didn’t like salma but he felt bad after hearing everything. He was in his room lying on his bed. He tried to wave off everything but he couldn’t.

He kept on remembering Jiddah’s words.

That’s not just it. You missed him Salma. Just admit it. You know i knew you guys liked each other so spit it.

Those words kept on playing in his head. He was supposed to be happy since that was an opportunity for him to do other and hand her over to jafar. Surely, mama won’t go against it but instead he was feeling bad and cheated.

That was how he spent that noon with different thoughts attacking his mind.

Later on that day, Jiddah left and that was when salma realized that she missed her best friend terribly. Jiddah had advised her to avoid Jafar. “To prevent old feelings from coming back”As Jiddah quoted. Since salma was now married and he was a cousin to her husband to avoid problems arising.

Well, problems had to arise whether Jaafar or not because she was not planning to live with Muhammad forever. He has already scarred her since he proved that he would never be someone to her and she needed a caring personality which means she needs divorce.

She always pray to Allah to give her the best,whether Muhammad or not. A life with beautiful and blessed kids,with a loving father,that wil lead them to jannah.

That was all she’s ever wanted.

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Muhammad was sitting at the dining area staring at salma as she served him his food. She looked pale and tired. After she was done serving him,she turned to leave.

Salma. Muhammad called.

Yes. She answered turning to look at him.

Can you… sit for a while? I….umm want to talk to you. He stammered.

She assessed him before nodding reluctantly. She pulled a chair opposite him and sat down.

What do you want to talk about? She asked.

What is wrong with you? He blurted.

I mean,you used to sit and eat her but lately you have stopped. You are looking pale. Are you sick? He asked.

She could feel his eyes boring into her. Why did he ask that? Does he even care? Or did she looked wrecked that much for him to have noticed.

Yes. She answered curtly.

Salma…. He started as she looked up at him. His eyes attacking hers searching for answers.

Stop giving me curt answers. I need to know what exactly is wrong with you. I’m trying to be nice here. Muhammad stated.

I’m suffering from chest pain and heart burn. She said averting her gaze from his.

And you didn’t think of mentioning this so you would be taken to the hospital. Muhammad said his voice rising a bit. He couldn’t understand why he was angry.

I already took some meds. Salma replied.

What? Are you crazy? He shouted and she flinched. You are not yet a doctor. You should not do that. You’d rather abuse some drugs than go to the hospital. Are you lost? Now he was getting furious.

Muhammad,I am used to this. So don’t get all over protective over me when you really are not. Those meds i took are the ones i always took whenever i suffered from this. A real doctor prescribed this. Salma spat back. Why was he furious? This was her health they were talking about and she is not stupid enough to take drugs anyhow.

Oh! He muttered. Have you been suffering from this for a long time? He asked his voice softening.

Yes. I had ulcer since I was thirteen. She replied.

Oh! Sorry I shouted at you. Apologized Muhammad.

Don’t worry. I get you. She replied.

Do you want to talk about it? He asked not sure why he did it.

Sure. Why not? She stated surprised at his question.

Well I got the disease because i was deprived of food. She started and Muhammad listened attentively. My step mom stopped giving me food when i was ten. She would only feed herself and her daughter then she would give me leftovers. Baba didn’t know about it. When I turned thirteen,she stopped giving me the leftovers. I used to wait for baba to return home,then i would eat with him. Salma stopped trying to fight back the tears that were threatening to fall remembering her father.

Muhammad ushered her to continue.

Baba asked one evening why I was getting slimmer and i told him everything. He got furious to the extent that he threatened to divorce her if she continued. She stopped again wiping out a stray tear.

In a swift move,Muhammad was beside her,patting her back and whispering soothing words. He sat on the chair next to her.

Go on. He said reassuring her with a smile.

She sniffed and continued.

Well she being the person she was,she didn’t stop. Instead,she locked me up in a room and beat the hell out of me. She told me that if i report anything to baba again,she would do worse. She reduced the quantity of food knowing that it wouldn’t be enough for me and baba but we kept on eating together. It affected me badly because as for baba,he got to eat breakfast,lunch and dinner. But as for me, it was only dinner with baba,without him knowing of course. He thought everything was back to normal and that i still eat with him because i developed the habit of doing so. He shared his food with me even though it wasn’t enough. He was always there for me. By now,tears were cascading down her beautiful face freely. The sight made Muhammad’s heart clenched.

Hey go easy. I know it’s hard,If you can’t go on,then forget it. Maybe next time. Stated Muhammad as a matter of fact.

She shook her head indicating that she was willing to finish her story.

But you are going all water works on me. Argued Muhammad his voice husky from emotions. He pitied her.

That made her smile. He was happy he could make her smile at a time like that.

I just miss him. She said.

Muhammad took out a handkerchief from him pocket and passed it to her.

Here. Help yourself. He said.

She was surprised he was being this nice. He really meant it when he said he was trying to be nice. She collected the handkerchief from him and thanked him. Salma continued her heart breaking story.

After some months, I got sick. Seriously sick. When my father asked her what was wrong with me,she replied “your daughter is grown up now. It’s just her time of the month and she is used to this. We don’t go to the hospital every time it strikes,only when it vets bad”Knowing very well that wasn’t the case. I suffer from terrible menstrual pain when it’s my time of the month and baba knew it, so he let the case slide. But when it was beyond reasoning,he took me to the hospital just to find out that it was ulcer. He asked my step mom for an explanation and she lied saying that i hated eating food. I only ate with him. Baba scolded me for my behavior not knowing the real story behind. After his departure,she started giving me food only once in a day and most of the time,it was only leftovers. She never cooked the food with me. She finished.

Muhammad stared at her probably thinking of some thing.

What? She asked noticing his expression.

Why do you think I don’t care? He asked.

What do you mean? Asked puzzled salma.

You said that I was acting overprotective when i was not. Remember?

Ohh I thought… she started but stopped not knowing what to say.

I’m not that bad salma. He said simply. Now back to you,do you still go through the menstrual pain or not? He asked looking at her.

Yes. Salma replied feeling a little bit embarrassed.

And how comes I don’t know? He inquired again.

This time,salma was blushing furiously.

Because you were always not here when it comes.

How many times exactly and why didn’t you tell me or call me if i was not there to help you out? He asked.

Four. I umm… kind of didn’t want you to see me in that condition. She replied.

Why? Muhammad asked.

Again. Urhg..the questions are getting way too much.

Umm..because i always look like a crazy woman when I’m in that condition. The pain is unbearable. Even though it doesn’t occur every month but it is almost every month,you wouldn’t want to see me in that condition. I wouldn’t want you to see me crying and making all kinds of crazy movements on my bed clutching my stomach. She said in one breath.

Oh!that was all he said as they stay there in silence. It was then they realized how close they were. Salma tried her best to hide out her blush. That was so embarrassing. Muhammad cleared his throat and began again.

So you have an ulcer attack which means you have not been eating lately. Why? He asked looking at her.

Salma moved uncomfortably. Nothing really. I have been very busy lately.

That’s not true. Is it because of Jafar? He asked this time his fists clenching and unclenching.

Her eyes widened at his question. She looked up to see him staring at her intensely.

What? She whispered.

I said is it because of jafar? Muhammad asked again.

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AN: phew! That was it. Another chapter.

Well it was a cliffhanger. I will update soon. Guess what will happen next.

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