The Life of Zara

CHAPTER SIX

I move around the living room fidgeting with my fingers. I bit my lip till I start feeling pain. But such little pain does nothing to me. The pain in my heart is worst to the extend that this few days I feel numb. I walked to his door for the hundred time. Should I knock? No! It is not my business. Then what if something happened to him? He has not stepped out of his room since last night. He didn't even come out for morning prayer. I should check on him that Is the best thing to do. Placing my hand on the door handle another thought crossed my mind. What if he is alright and ended up insulting me? Haven't I had enough of his insults? I stepped away and went back to the living room. Sitting alone and doing nothing always make my mind to wander in endless thoughts. Resulting me in deep pain and sorrow. I should at least do something. I plan to make this marriage work. It's my last hope. I'm i to go back to aunty Hafsa? She'll be disappointed in me. She wanted me to do this. And I will do it for her. I will do it to complete half my deen. I made my way back to his room and knocked. But there is no response. I knocked again and there is no response. Is he not in there? I wonder. I slightly opened the door and peek.

"Yaya.." I called. But there is no answer. Taking the risk I opened the door and stepped inside. My steps comes to a halt when I noticed his body lying on the bed. Is he sleeping? Is he not feeling well.

Standing before his bed. I called out to him. But he didn't answer. I fulled the blanket from him. He's shivering. His forehead sweating. I slowly placed my hand on his head and then neck. He's hot. He's having fever. What now? What to do? He look so pitiful now. He opened his eyes and met with mine. He pleadingly look at me. He looks vulnerable. I stepped away from him.

"Zara.. Zara... "He called.

I ignored his calling and went to pick a towel and some water. Dipping the towel inside the water, I place it to his hot body cooling it down. I repeated the procedure many times. He turned his body giving me access. My eyes filled with tears remembering how my mom does the same to me when I'm sick. I looked at him as I packed the bowl and went out.

"I made some hot tea."

"Get up and take some tea."

"Get up and take some tea I called again."

"No... Get out."

"Seriously?" I huff. 1"Stop being stubborn and take the tea before I can cook something for you."

"You are a doctor and you are neglecting your body this way."

I tried to pull him to a sitting position but he is like a rock he doesn't even budge.

"Don't touch me. "He whined. Pushing my hand from his body he sat down.

I place the cup in his hand and some pills on his bedside. "Take this."

Standing in the kitchen. I debated on what to cook. Since he is sick I decided to go with some Porridge. I opened the fridge and say a silent prayer having all the ingredient I needed. In less than and hour the food is all ready.

"Here's your food." I called out to him.

He turned his face to the other side of the bed.

"Go out. I'm not eating. "

"Stop being stubborn and eat."

"Stop being a witch and leave."

"Fine. I will call aunty Hafsa and have her cook something for you." He turned in an instant grabbing the plate and I smiled of victory.

"Manipulative witch" he murmured.

I shrug my shoulder and sit on the bed side waiting for him to finish. I I'm beyond surprised when he finished it to the last drop and pushed the plates in my hand. I took it and left the room without a backward glance.

After praying. I picked of one of my favorite book "on the island" and began to read hoping I will drift into sleep while reading it. It's a book I love to read over and over again.

My door clicked and opened without a knock he strode into my room. I raised my head to look at him. What the hell is wrong with him? How can he just barge into my room?

He smiled and smirked raising an eyebrow.

He surely look like a devil on a mission.

Ahmed

She look up at me. Her big eyes widen in what seems to be surprised or shocked. Well, whatever it is I don't care!

"Do you need anything?" She asked rising up and moving back a few feet.

"Why did you do it?" I asked straight to the point.

She looked at me with confused eyes as if I have grown two heads.

"Have I grown another head? Why did you help me? "

"I.. Help.. I" she stutters irritatingly.

"Take this," I handed her the money I am holding in my hands.

"What for?"

"What for? Don't play dumb with me Zara, you did it for money didn't you? So just take it."

Her big eyes widen. Filled with anger. I smiled and pushed the money forward. "Take it."

"If you didn't do it for money then why did you do it? Because you want me to like you? Zara are you that foolish? How much more stupid can you be? What gave you the idea to come into my room in the first place? Do you think you can just barge in when ever you like?"

"GET OUT!! GET OUT NOW!!"

I almost step back. I stare with wide eyes at the furious witch before me. Her eyes filled with unshed tears. Her lips dried and trembling. It is only now that it hit me. I looked up at her from head to toe. She has loss a lot of weight. The eye bags beneath her eyes. My eyes shifted taking in the whole room and my eyes glued to the sleeping pills on her bedside. The moment she noticed where my eyes are she jumped in front of me Putting her tiny arms on my chest she tried to push me out.

"Go out! Go out now."

I remained rigid. Rooted to my spot. It is like a spell was casted on me. I didn't even know what I was thinking. Have I been overdoing things? I feel like a coward.

"Get out now." She tried harder. But I didn't budge. Her hitting my chest feels like small taps in the background.

In a split second. I didn't know what possessed me. I didn't know what happened. It could be the pleading look in her eyes. The vulnerability in them. The pain and loneliness in them. She's here but she seems so distant. Like she's lost somewhere and needed a rescue. In this split second. A reflex action. Like the blinking of the eyes. The inhale and exhale of oxygen. I pulled her and hugged her tightly. In that split second I don't know if it is my imagination. Or the spell that was casted Upon me. My heart clenched and ached.

She stiffen in my arms. But eventually she let go and cried out. Clenching the back of my shirt with her fist. None of us dared to speak and break the intensity of the moment as she cried while I pat her back in an attempt to comfort her.