Unknown number: Hi Layl.

I just found out I am not the baby's father. I am about to do something, and I don't think I'll be able to come back.

It was supposed to be us. You and and me Layl, I trusted you.

***

"Ahmed I have been kicking for eternity," I complained my legs trying to kick against the numbness.

"Stop exaggerating hayati," He said as he walked closer to me. I put my head in the water, as I grasped on to the metal rail and continued to kick. I take out my head out of the water and take in a deep breath.

"How come you aren't kicking?" I asked him, kicking slower now.

"I am not the one who doesn't know how to swim."

"You should be kicking for motivation purposes," I said and stood in the shallow waters. Ahmed crossed his arms across his chest, and raised his eyebrows. "I am tired!" I yelled, frustrated.

"You have five more minutes left," He said in a stern voice. I tried to pout and look as glum as I could, but still he didn't budge. "My love... you know," I walked towards him and kept my hands on his chest. "It's not good to tire your wife so much."

"Is that so," He looked at me and I nodded.

"Yes."

"Hahah okay darling, anything you say. But you still have five minutes left," He spoke.

"Ugh!" I splashed the water to his face.

"What was that for?" He tried to block his face with his arms.

"For this... this torture," I said, and throw my hands only for them to splash the water. I turned to walk away, before I took a step he held my hand.

"Hey..." he said in a low tone. "Sorry, you know I love you right." I still didn't look at him.

"You know I can't stand it when you're mad at me." He mistook my tiredness with anger. "Tell me what I have to do to make it up to you," he spoke in a sincere-low tone.

" 20 laps," I said. Ahmed let go of my hand and started swimming to the other end of the pool. I observed him as he swam so hastily and with grace. He was done with eight laps, in less than four minutes. "Stop!" I yelled. The guilt got to me, as he was returning for his 9th round. He turned to look at me, confused.

"I am not angry at you. I am just really tired and I have a head ache," I explained.

"And the 20 laps was for?"

"For insisting on five more minutes," I said. "I am sorry," I apologized.

"It's fine my love. You want me to carry you?" He asked. I nodded, and said:

"Yes please."

"Haha. Come here princess," He swam to me and stood up. Ahmed carried me out of the pool, bridal style, until the bathroom. Where I decided a long hot shower would be the perfect ending to my so called training. After my shower, I wore my orange long sleeved maxi-dress. I combed my damp hair and left it open, so it could dry faster.

I got on the bed, and just laid there, resting my sore feet. I switched on the air conditioner, got comfortable in the covers in bed and it wasn't long till sleep took over. I couldn't resist it. The cool air and comfortable bed, just made it impossible to stay awake. I woke up feeling refreshed, energised, ready to run a marathon type of energy. My stomach started rumbling, I need food. Before I went to the kitchen I decided to comb my hair, I spent about ten minutes detangling and combing throughly. I need to get a haircut, I thought to myself as I tied my hair into a high bun. I went to the kitchen, in search of food. A snack, anything. There was a bag packet of Lay's potato chips on the kitchen counter, I started munching on them, greedily and enjoying every bite I took. "Ahmed!" I yelled his name, in hopes of his response.

I didn't get one.

I yelled his name multiple of times. I looked for him outside, I even checked some other rooms but he wasn't home. I got my phone from the bedside table. And opened my messages, there was one from Ahmed and another from an unknown number.

Ahmed: I am so sorry I left without telling you, you were peacefully asleep I didn't want to wake you. I have to attend a very important meeting.

The chauffeur will come pick you up at 1:00 o'clock, and he'll bring to a restaurant where we will have lunch.

Love you 😘 ❤️

Me: I love you too ❤️

After reading Ahmed's message, I then read the other message I had received from an unknown number, deep down knowing exactly who it is. I stood still for a moment, not knowing what to reply. It was like wave of guilt, remorse and heartache took over my body. The message was from Adil. He's the only one who calls me Layl. It's obvious it's him, but what am I to reply to a message like this. A message pops again and it's from Adil, he sent me his whereabouts, exact location. It's obvious what I had to do, it was clear where I had to go.

When the chauffeur came to pick me up at 1:00 o'clock. I told him the location to take me, he was confused at first, but he had no choice but to agree. My chaotic mind, and desperate heart couldn't take it. I texted Ahmed and explained, but he didn't respond. I even tried calling him but his phone was switched off, he's probably still in the meeting. I couldn't get through to him.

How do you convince a man to stop from taking his own life or ruining it? How can I?If only there were medicine to heal aching hearts, but I will remind mind about Allah s.w.t. The mender of hearts, the most gracious. He is the only one that holds that power of fixing hearts and despaired souls. I'll remind him to be patient. I looked out of the window, tears slowly trickling down my cheeks.

I started blaming myself, it felt like I caused his pain and suffering and I never waned to make anyone feel like so. It's my fault. I cried even more at the thought of Adil's death. I feel like a little girl who is lost in a crowded place, hoping someone finds her. Hoping her mother... her mother finds her. Trying to find consolation, praying for her mother's warmth in this cold cruel world.

"We have arrived Mrs Ahmed," The chauffeur spoke, bringing me back to this reality. I quickly wiped my tears and faked a momentarily smile. I got out of the car and walked, searching around for Adil. I am at one of the beautiful gardens in Dubai. I walked around for a while, I couldn't find him. I decided to sit on a bench. I stare at my reflection on my phone screen, watching myself battle myself from crying.

"Hey Layl," A familiar voice said. It's Adil... I look up to see him, his eyes red and swollen. Sadness lingering on his face.

"Hi. Assalam alaykum," I greeted him and stood up.

"Waalikum salam," He replied. "I am happy that you came," he said.

"I was worried about you," I told him.

"You don't have to be anymore," he said. Adil suggested that we walk as we talked. I didn't mind it. "I am leaving," He said, after a minute of silence.

"Where are you going?" I asked him.

"Anywhere but here, I haven't decided yet. Aisha isn't who she pretends to be. She is a liar," He spoke, his tone low.

"I am sorry," I told him.

"Don't be sorry Layla. This is my life, the plot, in good time I'll have an explanation for my past miseries. I can't stay here anymore, to be able to endure false hope twice takes a heart I am yet to have," He said, looking ahead. I looked back down at the steps I took.

"I thought you were going to end your life."

"Well not literally, but I am going to start a fresh. A new chapter. I am sorry if what I texted worried you," He paused and then stopped walking to look at me. "It's a sin to end your life, the trust I have in Allah s.w.t is greater than my sadness. I have forgiven you. Whatever reason you have for marrying Ahmed, it doesn't matter, because my cousin finally got to be happy. I am glad he realised his feelings soon."

"I don't know what to say. I pray for you peace and all the happiness in the world," I told him.

"Ameen," he answered.

"Thank you," I told him. "Thank you for your forgiveness, and for being understanding."

"You are welcome," He replied. " I should get going."

"Take care. I hope you find peace wherever you are going," I said.

"I pray you and Ahmed stay together in pure bliss and nothing less. Take care of yourself Layl," He said, as a tear streamed down his cheek as he limply smiled.

"Ameen," We said it simultaneously. I watched him walk away, his hands in his pocket head down and his shoulders slouched. It was all very heartbreaking, I too walked away in the opposite direction towards the entrance I came in from, that's where I ran into Ahmed. Before he said anything, he just observed, I couldn't put my feelings in words. I didn't know how. I just hope that my eyes spoke enough to let him know that something isn't right.

"Layla what are you doing here? Are you okay?" He spoke concerned. I hugged him, and started crying. His arms were familiar, in his arms I was safe from being sad alone. We stayed for a while hugging each other, I tried to find the strength in me to let go of him, but I felt weak. Adil didn't deserve all the pain he got, better things are ahead of him. I am sure his peaceful days are not far off. It's tearing my apart, only because I keep on blaming myself.

"Layla, my love, I am worried. Please tell what's wrong," Ahmed spoke in a low-soothing voice and I slowly stopped hugging him.

"It's Adil," I said.

"What?" His tone suddenly changed, to a more serious one. "You came to meet Adil when you were supposed to meet me. Driving here I really prayed that Aisha was false and that she was mistaken,"

"No it's not what you think," I said, wiping my tears away.

"I was waiting for you at the restaurant..." I cut him off, and spoke:

"I tried calling you, I even texted you. Your phone was switched off."

"Are you still in love with him?" He asked.

"What? Are you seriously asking me that? Where is that coming from?"

"Aisha said that..."

"Aisha is a liar," I said in a harsh tone. "Whatever she told you is a lie."

"You can't go calling people liars without reason Layla,"

"The baby she's carrying isn't even Adils," I said, my tone higher than his. People around us staring as they walked by.

"How do you know this?" He asked.

"Adil told me," I replied.

"So because Adil told you, it becomes the truth. What if he is lying?"

"It wouldn't make sense for him to lie. Think about it, why would he agree to marry her and suddenly change his mind. Adil is not the type of person who would abandon his own child."

"You are a gullible... You don't see it don't you."

"See what?" I asked. "That you are taking Aisha's side. Clearly"

"That Adil is still in love with you."

"So what if he is? How does that affect us? I am married to you aren't I. I am with you,"

"Please lets stop arguing. I can't do this now," He said and started walking away.

"Adil is leaving. He called me here so he could see me for one last time and warn me about Aisha," I said. I didn't know how to feel. I guess betrayed by own expectations. My husband doesn't want to reason out or believe anything I have to say. He stopped walking, only to hear to what I had to say and continued walking. I walked after him, towards the car. I got in the car, and so did he.

"Why are you acting like this?" I asked him.

"I wish you came to me first," He admitted.

"I thought he was taking his own life. The way he texted me," I explained.

"Typical."

"How is that you believe everything Aisha says and have a hard time trusting me?"

"I trust you," He said. "I just don't know if I can trust Adil."

"Okay."

"He's gone, it doesn't matter anymore."

"You are right it doesn't matter anymore. But I won't forget this," I said and turned to look out the window.

❤️