~ Helen Keller

"So how did it go with Malik? Did he appreciate the food ?" asked Mama Tasmeen in a soft voice. Did he appreciate the food? I have no idea. Well it was his secretary first, then him, they really got on my nerves. He, he even kissed me. At the thought of it, my cheeks got red

"Wait, did something else happened? "

"No" I said a little loudly and almost spit out the water I was drinking

"Something did happen right Yasmin?"

"Nope" I said again leaving her in the kitchen. We are definitely not having this talk. So I walked as fast as I could, but not before hearing her say that something definitely happened or else I wouldn't be blushing so much. Why can't I just blush in peace? Because come on, it's not like everyone gets their first kiss just like that right? I think he is like the best kisser ever, not that I could compare him to anyone but still, I think it was amazing. Wait, did I just think that? What is wrong with me? I pinched my cheeks and told myself to concentrate. I was already in my room, after taking out the phone I use rarely, I checked out the time, it was time for the prayer, so I took wudu (ablution) and started praying facing the qibla. By the time I finished, I felt so much at peace and decided to go downstairs, bring back my glass of water, That I couldn't even drink because of her.

After going down the stairs I was ready to go in the kitchen but stopped after hearing small familiar voices, it sounded a lot like Malik's and Mama

"But Mama, you need to understand, I can't put her through it"

"Why are you so stubborn son?"

"Mama, I will destroy her, that is the only thing I can do"

"Says who?"

"Says the proof, isn't that what happened to her? Isn't it my fault that she is dead mama? Am I not the one to blame? Please understand" said Malik in a pleading voice. What? He killed someone? At this thought I dropped the glass by accident. They both stopped talking, Mama took a deep breathe before saying it in a really small voice that I thought I imagined "For God's sake you were young"

Malik walked out of the kitchen and glared at me after looking at the glass on the floor. He passed me without saying anything and just kept walking towards the pool. So I went in the kitchen and found mama about to burst into tears. So I just took her in my arms and let her sob. After she calmed down I finally asked what I really wanted to hear

"Did, did he kill that woman?" I asked painfully after taking a deep breathe

"What? Never? My son is not a killer"

"So, why, why is he saying he is responsible for her death?"

"That is not my place to answer, and you should never doubt your husband, no matter what, Malik's heart is too good to commit such a sin daughter" She said before walking out and leaving me standing there. Great, not only Malik is mad at me, now my only alliance in this house is mad at me too, because I am too curious for my own good, and I really feel bad for even asking this question, but, I had to, I had to make my brain at ease after hearing that, even though my heart was punishing me for even thinking about that possibility.

I cleaned up the mess I made with the glass, and tried to look for Malik, I went through the way he went, opened the door and the pool was in front of me. I even forgot how beautiful it was at night. I really want to learn how to swim though, but who is going to teach me?

I looked in the pool and saw a form swimming skillfully and stared at him. I don't think he could really see me, since he looked too engulfed in his thoughts.

"That is his favorite sport. He does that whenever he has a lot on his plate. He is like a kid, he lost the right path, and I just hope you will guide him daughter" said a voice next to me. I did not to look because I already knew who it was. So I nodded my head before adding "I am really sorry mama"

"You are forgiven"

"You know Mama, I care about him too, I will try my best to help him as long as I am his wife"

"What after this contract is over?"

After hearing this, I finally looked at her

"After this mama, I am pretty sure he will be more than happy to kick me out of his life. I know this is just a contract to him, so why would he bother to stay with me after this?" I asked putting my hair behind my ears

"What about you, what is it to you?" I was taken aback. I really did not think about this after my wedding. I only thought about making this whole thing work. Then is it really a contract to me? At first it definitely was to help my little brother have an easy life. What about now?

"I-I- It is a contract to me, yeah" I said and nodded to make it seem believable. Was it really only a contract to me? I am not really sure anymore

"Yeah sure" said mama while giving me a knowing smile. I just hope she was not overthinking again, but she seems to do that a lot, just like earlier. Well maybe she was right earlier but still

"I think it's time for me to go to sleep" I said, finally realizing how tired I was

"I'll make sure he goes in after a while. Good night, sleep tight"

"Good night mama." I said kissing her on the cheek. I looked in his direction once more before deciding it was time to go to bed.

I went back in and went straight to my room. I changed into a pair of pajamas, took a comb and passed it through my soft hair, it got a lot longer since the last time Fatimah combed it, during my wedding. Fatimah, my heart broke at the thought, she was, and still is my best friend from Dubai. She was like a sister to me and I can't believe I spent over a month without seeing her. I really missed her sassiness and just everything about her, so I went to bed with her in my thoughts.I was nearly asleep when I thought I heard someone sit on the bed, but was too tired to open my eyes or move

"I am really sorry for being a jerk to you Yasmin. This is for your best, if you want to survive in this world. But from now on, I will try my best to make this life bearable for you, at least until this is over. You deserve it, you deserve the world" and felt a kiss on my forehead, it was like the only thing keeping me in that state, with that, I finally went to visit the world inside of my head

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