Married to Mysterious

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Two weeks ago, if you ask me if I'll be having all this lovey dovey couples relationship with my husband. I'll have laughed at your face. But as I reflect on the last two weeks I can't help but have this large smile on my face. Adeel has been such a loving husband. It was like my life has become the beginning of a romantic novel. Would you believe me if I tell you he hasn't had any of his mood swings in the last two weeks. It was like he was an entirely different person. He talks a lot, he laughs, he jokes and he plays around. Yesterday he even came back early and cooked spaghetti in the kitchen. I was mesmerized by the sight. Watching the hunky man that is my husband work his way around the kitchen as if he has been doing it all the time. I tried teasing him but he glared at me and asked me to shut my mouth and just watch. Like a pupil to his teacher I did exactly as he told. The spaghetti tasted delicious. He was so proud of his cooking. When I told him it was good he refused to agree with me. He said I have to admit it was the best I have ever tasted but me being me I didn't wanna add to his already big ego. It's both amusing and refreshing how he's opening up to me. Telling me about himself, his college days and a lot of things. He compliments my dressing. He called me beautiful and he is full of hugs and kisses that made me giddy with love. It's like I'm living in a bubble of happiness. Even though he has carefully avoided any topic about his ex wife I didn't push for it and I hope one-day he will come to tell me on his own. Today I have decided to take a huge step. To contribute in our relationship. I have decided to tell him about my feelings for him. Maybe that will be the key to opening his heart. I'll take this first step. He once said he was scared. Maybe just maybe this will boost his confidence and strengthened our relationship. I'm both giddy with happiness and nervous of the unknown. Of how it might turn out to be. I'm going to make this special, I'll put some effort in it. I'll tell him over dinner. I want to cook his favorite food. Look stunning and give the house a romantic setting. The problem is that I don't know what his favorite food is. I once asked him and he said he had none. How could he not have favorite food? At least there has to be one he likes more than the others. I'm gonna find out one way or the other so I dialled Asma's number and she answered on the second ring.

"Aunty jidda "

"Asma, I want you to help me with something? "

"what will that be? "

"Actually I was playing a game with your brother and we have to find each other's favorite food. I was hoping if you could help me with it"

"if he has any favorite food it will be pounded yam and egusi soup with fish. But I don't think he has eaten it in ages "

All the more reason I should cook it.

"thanks sis. I owe you "

"anything for you "

I ended the call and began to set my plan in motion.

************************************

I became more nervous by each passing second. The house is spotless clean and dim. It took me much effort but I did cook the pounded yam with egusi soup and fish. I also made fruit salad and Zobo. I sprayed and smoked the house with perfume. Contented with the house and food. I decided to work on myself. I picked up the red gown I selected. I love red and I'm convinced that I look good in red too. I stepped into the gown before pulling up the zip. The dress hugged my curves and flows down at my feet. It has one arm while the other arm is left bare. I have decided not to wear any head tie since he loves my hair. I combed through my hair before braiding it and letting it fall on my left shoulder that is bare. I added my black eye liner. I decided to go with little lipgloss since I want my lips nude. I added my silver earrings. I prayed some perfume before twirling before the mirror. Checking for any flaws. I have to admit that I feel beautiful and that boosted my confidence for tonight. I did texted my husband asking him to come back early I have planned a surprise for him. But it's already pass the time he normally comes back and he is not back yet. I tried not to allow my disappointment consume me. Maybe he was busy. Maybe he hasn't seen my text.

Or maybe he knows that you wanted to confess and he is not ready for it.

Remember your first day? He told you to stay away from him.

What do you think you are doing? How can you be the first to tell him that you are in love with him?

I woke up from my slumber when I heard the unmistakable sound of his car. I rushed and opened the door for him.

"welcome home " I hugged him briefly before stepping back. I want him to notice me. To compliment me like he usually does.

He stared at me. For a second, for seconds and then for minutes. He didn't say anything. He stared at me.

"Adeel" I called for his attention.

He shook his head. As if clearing his head. He took cautious step toward me. Before giving me a soft kiss on my cheek.

"you look stunning princess "

"thank you " I mumbled.

The butterflies erupts in my stomach. He's staring at me like I'm the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. His eyes roam over my body feasting on me. I feel happy. He's my husband. And he found me beautiful.

"should I be honest with you princess? "

I nodded my head

"you look ravishing "

"I have something to tell you, but that will be after dinner, wanna start with food or shower? "

"I'm famished. Dinner first. But more than dinner I'll want to know what is it you want to tell me "

"that will be after dinner and only after that "

He stared at me again. He wasn't looking at me. He was looking through me. He nodded before heading to the dining and I walked behind him. The moment he sat down I uncovered the dishes before proceeding to serve him.

"what is this? "his face contorted into a frown and his voice strained.

"this is your favorite food Of Course" I smiled at him with a glint of victory in my eyes.

But he wasn't smiling. He stood from the chair and backed away from me as if I'll burn him if he dare as step closer to me.

"leave, this. Place. Right. Now " his voice sounded threatening but I wasn't scared. He was the one that look scared and lost. He stared at me with clenched jaws. I didn't back away. I stepped forward until I stood right before him. I rubbed his arms.

."what happened dear, isn't that your favorite food? "

"evil woman " he spat his eyes red and dangerous. I tried to step away but it was too late. He went for my neck. He grabbed me hard blocking my air passage. My eyes filled up with tears as I tried to break free from him. He wasn't looking at me. I tried punching his chest but it was useless.

I'm going to die

I'm going to die

He released me and I fall to the floor choking and gagging as I greedily inhaled oxygen.

I tried to run but he jerked me back and I hit something hard. I screamed when I felt blood in my hands from where I have cut my head.

" I cried as I turned to begging him to spare me. He stared at me for a minute.

"Evil witch " his voice doesn't even sounded like his own. It was like a monster inside him was unleashed. He strode towards me and dragged me on the floor before pushing me to the wall .

When I looked at him. I knew there was no escaping. He's not going to stop and by the look on his face and his clenched fist. He's going to hit me more. My head throbbed as my heart pounded. I couldn't stop crying.

He took another step towards me.

"I. LOVE. YOU" I shouted with my very hoarse voice and he stopped.

"I LOVE YOU ADEEL PLEASE DON'T HURT ME. "

He stayed rigid as his shoulders slumped. When he look at me. He seems to be shocked. He was looking at me. He stared at me like he couldn't believe what he did.

It might be true, it my be my scary mind conjuring up images to calm me down. But all I know is that I'm scared and I desperately want to get out of this place.

I heard knocking on the door and I began shouting help, help. Luckily for me the door was open. Through my blurred vision my savior rushed inside.

He looked at us before running to me.

"Are you okay sister? "

It was my brother. It was him. The i***t. He came.

He turned to Adeel who was staring at us in the same position. He went and punched him like his life depended on it. But Adeel wasn't fighting back. He is allowing my brother to hit him.

I feel dizzy. The last thing I heard was my brother Calling out for me before everything blacked out.