Everything I Could Ever Ask For

Chapter Ten.

I fear myself the most for sometimes my darkness makes me a monster I cannot understand and my sadness hurts others.

-TheSmilingAkh

Adnan's POV

I woke up drenched in my sweat and startled at how the nightmare felt real just like all those nights I had them. I sat up and felt for something to hold on to. Anything. Something to bring me fully back to reality. I switched on my bed lamp and picked up the Quran that was there. I opened the holy book and read some verses and my thumping heart started to slow down. The Qur'an surely calms restless hearts.

I checked my phone and it was 8:30am. So I went over to the bathroom to do my business. I stared at the mini sized mirror hanging on the wall and two red rimmed eyes stared back at me. There were dark circles underneath my eyes due to lack of sleep. My hair was a disheveled mess. I really need a haircut. To sum up,the reflection looking back at me doesn't look like me.

I opened the tap and used the water to splash my face. The water was surprisingly cold for this season. I brushed my teeth,took my bath and came out dripping wet with a towel around my waist. I have to be in the office by 9:00am and it's already 8:50am. I hurriedly dressed in blue plaid shirt and washed out denim jeans. The perks of being the boss, I don't have to dress too formal.

I went out and saw Umma setting the dining table. My stomach rumbled at the sight of the heaven before me. Wafts of pancakes were set with a chocolate syrup to top it. Too bad I'm late. I grabbed an Apple and made my way to the door when Umma stopped me.

"Young man,where do you think you're going without eating?" She asked raising her brow.

I smiled."Umma I'm late for work. I'll grab a burger or something on my way to work." I replied. Umma clearly wasn't satisfied with my answer.

"You're the boss ai,who'd hold you accountable for being late?besides eat my food while you still can because very soon I wouldn't be in charged of that." She said smirking slightly.

I groaned mentally,not wanting to cause myself a massive headache because of some so called marriage.

"Umma,but there are some papers I need to sign. They are urgent. You know I'd love to stay and eat your yummy food." I said ignoring her last sentence and pleading with my eyes.

"No excuses. Come and sit down right this minute. How many seconds will it take you to eat?" She asked. I reluctantly sat at one of the chairs and served myself. Atleast I get to eat the yummy pancakes.

I was munching my pancakes when Zahra came down the stairs from her room. I guess she's going to school. I just hope Umma wouldn't force me to drop her off because I'm already too late. Speaking of forcing, I remember when Umma made me drop Bambi at their house. I didn't like her at that moment but the way destiny plays,she's now my supposedly future wife.

Zahra came and sat at the chair beside me. After serving herself,she made herself comfortable and started eating.

"Ya Adnan yaushe za a kai kayan lefe" She asked with mouth full of pancakes. I was about to snap at her when Umma cut me off. "Yes Adnan,we have to start preparing this wedding,it's getting close."

I glared at Zahra and she gave me her not so innocent look. Then I turned to Umma and said. "Umma,please I'll leave you in charge of everything,this is stress wallahi. How much do you need?"

Umma shook her head."I wonder when you'll grow up,you're getting married so you better start behaving like a man." The lecture began.I zoned off and when I snapped out of it I caught the last sentence. "......but don't worry I will. I'll send you the details later." I sighed in relief. "Thanks Umma,well I better get going,I'm already late for work. Bye." I quickly sauntered off before she starts another lecture.

***

Ikram's POV

I woke up to loud chattering all around the house. It's weekend so no school for me,but that doesn't explain all the chattering. I climbed down from my bed and went to the main parlour to find out what's going on.

Whoa whoa whoa. Where did all these people come from? Well they're not technically strangers. I spotted Anty Salamatu,Mama's junior sister with her little toddler Ayman. Then there was the sweet Husna,note the sarcasm. I rolled my eyes. I spotted Anty Yana,Mama's senior sister,Nawal,my twelve year old cousin and also Khadija's best friend. Mama was also seated there,then I spotted my favorite cousin, Rukky. We were really close,we got along very well not like Husna and I. They were all sitting chattering excitedly about God knows what. The younger kids were all playing around the house. What's the occasion?

I cleared my throat and made salaam announcing my presence. They all stopped talking and were looking at me with goofy smiles all over their faces,well except Husna who was giving me a death glare and the little toddlers who have no clue what's going on.

That's when I noticed the boxes all lined up in the middle of the room. They were all open with different types of laces and atamfa. There were also some set of gold necklaces and that's when it clicked. The kayan lefe.

"The bride has woken up." Husna said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes and didn't bother to reply her. Rukky came and gave me a hug. I relished in her warmth. I really missed her. It's been so long. She let me go but not before whispering in my ear that she's going to kill me for not telling her I was getting married. I chuckled and promised to fill her in on everything.

I greeted all the aunts and went to Anty Salma to collect Ayman. I still acted oblivious to the boxes sprawled around the embroided carpet. He's sleeping. Gosh,he's so cute with his chubby little cheeks. He's just a year old. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Then I decided to speak.

"Mama,who does all this belong to?" She looked at me as though I had grown another head.

"Yours of course,who else is getting married in a month?"

They're too much and look so extravagant. Not my kind of things but I really do appreciate. The aunts were busy checking all the clothes saying things like ma sha Allah or yarinya ta samu mai kudi (She found a rich guy) what not and what not. I saw Husna at the corner of my eye and she was looking at me with so much envy. I wanted to throw it at her face but I'm better than that,so I gave her a soft smile which she returned with a hmph. Well I don't mind. I grabbed Rukky's hand and went over to the room to tell her all about it, because honestly,those kayan lefe were suffocating me.

We sat down at the edge of my bed and I told her how everything started. I finished telling her and she frowned at the part where the marriage isn't based on love.

"You know, when we were young,you always dreamt about your Prince charming and how you guys would fall in love,but I guess that's not how things went." Rukky said.

"I know right! Such childish dreams. This is reality and there's nothing I can do about it."

She looked at me with pity in her eyes and I hated it. I hate looking vulnerable because of him,so I put on my most fake smile and brushed the topic off. Thank God she caught the groove and we continued talking about random things.

It was time for everyone to go because it's already late. So I bade all my aunts and cousins bye and went back to my room. It's been a long day. I decided to call Zahra to extend my gratitude to Umma and Adnan. Me and her are now in good terms. We sorted out our differences. She tells me how her and ya Ahmad have become really good friends. I can't help but think about how he's going too woo her. Well that's his problem not mine.

I dialled her number and it kept ringing without her picking up. Just as I was about to cut the call,she picked the call.

"Hello?" She said,her voice sounding as if she just woke up from sleep.

"Zedd,it's Ikram. Don't tell me you're already sleeping." I asked using the nickname I gave her.

"Oh Ikram,yakike (how are you)? Did you see the kayan lefe? Her voice now fully awake.

"Yeah,that's what I called about. Wanted you to thank Umma and Adnan for me."

"Umma, I will but ya Adnan,you'll do it yourself. Ai you have his number."

I mentally groaned."Please mana Zedd."

"Nope,you know me, so don't bother begging. In fact goodnight,you've already deprived me of my beauty sleep." And with that,the line went dead. This girl has issues.

I reluctantly went to my w******p and composed a message to thank him because God knows I can't call him. I wrote and wiped and wrote and wiped but couldn't find the right words so I settled for this simple one.

Me: Assalamu Alaikum, saw the kayan lefe,thank you.

Yeah that's it. Simple and formal. Just then I heard a message ding and saw his reply.

Adnan: Wa alaikumus salaam. Why so formal Bambi? And it's my pleasure.

This guy would be the death of me. He's so charming when we chat but arrogant when we meet.

Me: I don't know you that much,so I don't know how to reply you.

Adnan: Get ready tomorrow by 5:00,we're going out.

What? Going out?

Me: To where?

I asked cautiously, where is this guy taking me to?

Adnan: Just dress casual

And with that he went offline not even giving me the chance to reply. Well tomorrow is a long day. Looking and not looking forward to it. Looking forward to it in the sense that I get to see his handsome features and not looking forward to it in the sense that he might treat me like trash. Well only one way to find out. Tomorrow, here I come.