Unpredictable

Episode thirteen.

Things were back to the way the they were after Muhammad and Salma’s little heart to heart chat. All they say when they bump into each other was salamualaikum and waalaikumussalam.

Salma was writing her final exams so she had been extremely busy. All she had to do after her exams was her internship and she would be a practicing doctor insha Allah. That was only if she passes her exams and she hoped so.

Ya illahi. She always thought. Times moves so fast.

She thought that if she starts working,she would find a way to get divorce. It’s either Muhammad does it or she goes to the court. After that she would go far away from them and her step mother zakiyya. Her in laws are good people but she just can’t live with Muhammad for the rest of her life.

She wants someone who loves her,someone who will do everything in his power for her as long as it is good,someone who will value and respect her and she wants a life with love and care. She was not a fan of romance and all but nobody hates to be taken care of.

Muhammad was still mourning. He really missed kamila. He couldn’t concentrate on anything. Not even at work. His condition was noticed by everyone. Abdulmalik tried his very best to persuade Muhammad into something else but it didn’t work. His mind was filled with kamila. Whenever he zoned out at a meeting,Abdulmalik covers for him which was kind of annoying. He couldn’t get a grip of himself.

Jafar,Muhammad’s cousin who was working in Mexico came home for a short holiday.

He has joined Muhammad and his parents when he was five after his parents death. He has lived there since then. He was also an orphan just like salma but unlike her, he lived with people who loved him. Fatima and Khalid took him in and they treated him as if he was theirs. He was mates with Muhammad and they were best of friends. Along with Abdulmalik of course,they were a squad of three. They did everything together.

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Jafar was sitted in the living room with Muhammad’s mother conversing when Muhammad entered.

Salamualaikum. He greeted them.

Waalaikumussalam. They answered.

Mama,how are you and how is everything? He asked.

Everything is fine alhamdulillah. Fatima replied. What of you,is everything okay?

Alhamdu lillah. He sighed. Looking up at jafar he smiled. Welcome back bro. He said as he moved closer to give his cousin a hug. How was Mexico?

Alhamdulillah. Jafar replied. I heard what happened. I’m sorry. May her soul Rest In Peace and may Allan bestow his mercy and rahma upon her. He prayed.

Ameen. They all answered in unison.

Grave silence fell over them for a moment before Muhammad spoke.

Umm.. I heard of your arrival so i thought i should come. I will be late for work but i will try and come back early so we could hang out together later.

Fatima’s face lit up after hearing him say those words. Oh! That’s such a good idea. She bellowed.

Yeah sure. Jafar said. I will wait for you and please,say hello to Abdulmalik in my place please.

Okay later. Assalamualaikum. And with that Muhammad left leaving jafar and fatima again.

Fatima turned to look at jafar clearly thinking of something.

Jafar i will need you to do something for me. She said.

What? Mama is some thing wrong? He asked

No not with me but with your cousin. She answered.

Ohh my Allah. What is wrong, I hope i can help. He asked.

Of course my dear. You will be of great help since you two are close. She replied.

She told him about everything going on. Even though he was shocked that it was Salma whom Muhammad married but after hearing what was happening between Salma and Muhammad, he was willing to help. After all Muhammad was his cousin and Salma,his friend.

I guess all you have to do is to confront him jafar. Fatima said when she was done telling him everything. As somebody whom he grew up together with maybe he will listen to you. I trust you Jafar. She assured.

Umm i will try my best. He said contemplating whether He could do it.

No you can do this jafar. She assured.

He breathed in and exhaled deeply before he replied. In sha Allah.

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Muhammad returned not long after the asr prayer and he returned along with Abdulmalik. That was their squad of three before jafar left for Mexico. They left Fatima and they headed to Muhammad’s house first to retrieve his forgotten phone. Abdulmalik teased jafar all the way to Muhammad’s house saying he was the only one who was not married among the three of them. He had said that jafar was stuck over some Mexican lady who was short and fat.

Well Abdulmalik was good at teasing so he succeeded in getting jafar annoyed and speechless before they reach their destination. That was always their thing.

When they reached the house,Salma was returning from school. She had an early paper that day.

The shock and cold silence that vibrated among the four of them was thick when Salma’s eyes jafar’s. A lot of unspoken words were hanging in the air there and then.

Jafar? She questioned more like a whisper clearly shocked.

Grave silence and tension reverberated in the atmosphere.

Muhammad cleared his throat and their attention was on him. I will go and retrieve my phone. I will be back in a minute.

Okay. Abdulmalik answered enjoying the scene in front of him. Take your time. He said giving Muhammad a cheeky smile.

Muhammad shot him a death glare. The i will strangle you cold glare before disappearing into the house glancing one more time at jafar and Salma whom were back to staring at each other again. Somehow as he stared at them he felt his heart tugging but he shoved the feeling away.

Salamualaikum. Salma greeted Abdulmalik and jafar whom she was standing with outside.

Waalaikumussalam. They answered.

How are you? Abdulmalik asked his lips twitching into a full blown smile.

Alhamdulillah Abdul Malik. She answered. How are you,Amina and Rufaida? She asked returning the smile but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Abdul Malik noticed it,and nodded his head in response.

Jafar also noticed it but he kept quiet. He now believed something is wrong.

Terribly wrong.

Everything was awkward.but,it wasn’t before. He exhaled deeply before he spoke.

How have you you been salma? Jafar asked.

Alhamdulillah I’m fine. How are you,how is work and everything over there? Salma replied.

Alhmdulillah. He answered.

Then Muhammad came out with his phone ready to leave.

Well then,we will be leaving. He said referring to salma.

Okay then,I will go inside. She replied her face back to the grim expression which has been plastered on her face for long now. Muhammad noticing it nodded and headed to the car.

Assalamu alaikum. Salma said before she vanished into the house.

Wa alaikumussalam. Jafar answered in a whisper almost not audible,but Muhammad him.

You have a generous wife. Abdul Malik bellowed earning a glare from Muhammad which he expected.

Jafar was quiet though out their ride to the park. Muhammad was same. He thought of how salma looked when she saw jafar amongst them. He remembered vividly the longing in jafar’s eyes. He must have missed her if it was true that he did loved her.

But what he could not understand was why he kept thinking about salma instead of kamila.

He remembered salma’a face when he said he would never be some body to her. He could remember how she attended to him when he was sick. He remembered the little sharing they had that same night,vividly. Why did that happen? That night all he could see in her eyes was a mixture of emotions. Mostly pain.well it was more Like pure pain, but then there was also loneliness. That he could understand but…

He kept on thinking about her. Exhaling deeply he turned to jafar wanting to ignore what he was thinking and the fact that his heart has been tugging since they left his house.

Since they left salma.

So,how is work jaaafar? He asked. Is everything working smoothly?

Yeah. Sure. Masha Allah. Jafar replied. And that was all they said till they reached the park. There,they chatted non stop with Abdul Malik teasing jafar from time to time about his marital status. He was single. Well that was obvious due to his nature. A simple man.

The teasing went on before Muhammad spoke.

Hey man,stop that already. Don’t fool my cousin. There’s nothing really good about getting married.

Just then Abdul Malik’s phone rang. Seeing the caller ID,he quickly answered the call.

Assalamu alaikum habibty. Abdul Malik said in a very soft tone. Oh! Okay then. I will be there in a minute. He kept on rambling as jafar and Muhammad stared at him.

Well i was just… he kept on blabbering for sometime before he ended the call with a smile plastered on his lips.

Shameless or so. Muhammad thought.

You know, I would have argued with you on that but fortunately,my wife neeeds me at home. When we meet next time,I will attack you with points that will prove you wrong Muhammad. Abdul Malik said.

You definitely won’t be able to. Replied Muhammad.

Count on me. I look forward to when we willl meet next. Assalamu alaikum. Abdul Malik said nodding at Muhammad and jafar.

Wa alaikumussalam. They both answered him.

Hey bro. Let’s hangout again before you leave. We need to catch up. Abdul Malik said to jafar.

Sure why not? I will look forward to that,by then i will have something to tease you with Insha Allah. Jafar said as he shake hands with Abdul Malik.

Abdul Malik nodded once more at the cousins before he left. He had a feeling something is going to happen after his departure.

They sat in silence for a while after Abdul Malik left before jafar spoke.

Why did you say that? Asked jafar.

Say what?

Why did you say that there is nothing good about getting married. Jafar asked. From what i know, he continued. It is sunnah and people say that one never feels complete until he gets married. Why are you against it?

Jafar,in my own case it is different. Muhammad replied curtly.

And why did you say so? What made it different? Jafar asked again.

Muhammad have him that you-really-don’t know look before replying. Because i was forced to.

Oh! That was all jafar said before he began again.

Then how is life going excluding your marital life? He asked.

I will just say alhamdulillah. I’m in a difficult situation right now. Everything is just stressful. Said Muhammad.

Muhammad i have spoken to mama. Stated jafar.

Oh! So you did. What did she tell you? He asked knowing where the whole conversation was going.

She told me about everything going on between you and salma. Jafar replied.

And what about it? Muhammad asked clearly annoyed.

Muhammmad… jafar began,turning to look at Muhammad. You are making everything difficult for your self. I know it was hard loosing kamila,but you can’t let that ruin you. Give your wife a chance and everything willl be okay. He finished hoping what he said would work.

Muhammad turned to look at jaafar so they were facing each other now.

Do you really think that way or you are doing this because you love her? Muhammad asked.

Jaafar’s eyes widened at Muhammad’s words. He cleared his throat to clear the tension.

Loved her you mean? Well not anymore because everything collapsed when I found out she got married. I am doing this for you actually. He replied narrowing his eyes.

Jafar the truth is i can’t perform my duties as a husband to her because i don’t love her. I don’t even want to see her face. Mama that is complaining all the time is never going to allow me divorce her. It is not that salma want to live with me either. Divorce is our best option. Muhammad stated in a low but audible voice.

Yes. From all indications salma doesn’t want to live with you but divorce is not the best option. If you had treated her better, maybe she wouldn’t have been against it. Muhammad,you get rewarded for saying nice words talk less of a nice gesture. Mama only wants this marriage to work out because of what salma went through before she married you. Just because salma looked composed doesn’t mean she is actually composed in the inside and most of all,she is lonely. She needs someone to talk to. Someone to hear her out. That’s the duty you’re supposed to fulfill first. But right now you are practically depriving her of her rights Muhammad. Jaafar said looking at Muhammad.

Muhammad stoop up clearly angry,more like aggravated. Let’s just stop this and go home. I can’t take anymore. He said grumbly.

Jafar also stood up not ready to give up. He just have to convince him. At least to make mama happy.

Muhammad,let go of Kamila. She is gone already. Focus on your wife. You can’t just shut down your door for every woman just because you lost Kamila. Kamila is not everything,and she is not the end of the wor…. And In one swift move,Muhammad’s fist collided with jafar’s face.

He just punched him.

That was just what salma said and it’s my true. Kamila is everything. He said raising his voice.

Jafar stumbled to the ground.

What??? He managed to whisper. Did you just…. Jafaf asked clearly shocked to the extent that he couldn’t finish his sentence. He helped him self up before he started again. This time more determined and kind of aggravated.

Muhammad,you can not deny what i said because it is the truth. You just don’t want to admit it but you have to. Kamila is no more,whether you believe it or not. He said with his voice rising.

Shut up jafar. You don’t know what I’m going through so you don’t So you don’t have a say in this. Muhammad said.

Muhammad don’t forget she is an orphan and that she needs care. You know that helping an orphan is a good deed talk less of when that orphan is your wife. It is a must. You are depriving her of her rights and you very well know that on the day of judgement,he stopped his eyes boring in to Muhammad’s. On that very day,you will answer to everything. He shouted.

What is it that i haven’t done for her? I have provided what she eats. I pay for her education. What i can’t give her is love and I made it clear to her. So what do you want me to do? Muhammad shouted back.

Now their hangout is getting heated.

Is that what marriage is all about? Is that why the prophet SAW got married? To provide food and education for your wife? Marriage is all about love and creating a family. You know very well it is not food and education that she needs. She has all of that. She needs love and care Muhammad. Said jafar. People near by kept on staring at them oddly as they shouted at each other.

Why are you doing this Jafar? Do you love her that much? Muhammad asked his voice filled with rage.

No. It’s more like because i love you. I am doing it for you. Replied Jafar. We learnt this together. He started his voice stabilizing. That if a person does a wrong thing,you should correct him or her if you can. But if you can’t, you aask someone to do it. You only stop when there are no means to stop that person Muhammad. I can’t leave you just like that. I don’t like seeing you this way. I want to see you in happiness again. He said. Do expect me to keep shut?? It’s your choice though. It’s either you choose the right path or you go astray.

Muhammad stared at him registering everything he said. He had to admit Jafar was saying the truth.

Jafar,it’s just that it is hard and i….. Muhammad began but couldn’t finish.

Just give her a chance bro. Be that escape of hers which she left her step mom for. Let it be the best for the both of you. Be the noor in her life. Said Jafar as he moved closer and patted Muhammad on the back.

Muhammad nodded simply. Insha Allah. And Jafar started again.

I have not forgotten the fact that you punched me dear. He smirked. Don’t forget that i never loose in a fight that I’m innocent. I always win, so it’s either you change,or i avenge this someday. He said with his lips twitching in to a full blown smile.

Muhammad smiled wryly. Sorry man I was just…

Forget it. Jafar cut him off. It’s okay let’s leave now. It’s getting late.