For official_teemah my favourite cousin. Any one interested in horror books should totally check hers out.

Adnan's POV

"Let's play twenty questions,that way I get to know more about you." I said to Bambi as we were seated in the game room watching some series called Continuum. The series was really not my thing and I was getting pretty bored but this wife of mine is so engrossed in it. I mean what's appealing in people who time travel from 2077 to 2012?

"Just a second. They're trying to figure out who the mole is in the police department and Keira's CMR has been deactivated." She uttered distractedly.

I sighed not even getting what she's saying. "Who's Keira again?" I asked and she punched my shoulder lightly. "The main protagonist of course." She replied.

"Oh,but seriously let's talk. You distracting yourself by watching this series isn't going to change anything you know." I said referring to the arranged marriage of her brother and my sister's heartbreak. It hasn't been easy for her and I could see the dark circles forming beneath her eyes.

She grabbed the remote and paused the video. "I know." She sighed. "But it keeps bothering me. I wonder how the people in question really feel."

"That's why I said we should play 20 questions,it'll put your mind off it for a while though."

"Fine,you go first." She said folding her arms like a little child. She looked cute...

"Okay,let's start with the simple ones,what's your favourite colour?" I asked

"Purple. What about you?"

"Black." I replied easily.

She gave me a look that says am I serious? I just shrugged and gave no explanation. Black represents what I feel within. But these days my life's been a little brighter,a little lighter. And i guess her colours are slowly erasing the black in me.

"When's your birthday?" She asked. Isn't it ironic how I don't know my wife's birthday and she doesn't know mine?

"11th April. Yours?"

"1st January."

"Cool,the new year. Your birthday is coming up pretty soon."

"Yeah it is."

"How many boyfriends have you had?" I asked merely out of curiosity.

She looked away blushing while she replied. "None." She whispered and I almost didn't hear her.

"Wow,I thought maybe you'd have dozens of them because of how pretty you are." She blushed at the comment and then asked me the same question again but changing 'boyfriends' to 'girlfriends'.

"Uhm, well,just one." I said quietly.

She looked over at me and I saw curiosity in those eyes but I didn't say anything. "Your turn." I told her changing the topic but I should've known she's not one to back down easily.

"What's her name?" She asked and I clenched my jaw while holding my fists tight trying to calm myself down. Whispering to myself that I'm over her and I'm getting to give bambi a chance.

"Maryam. Her name was Maryam." I replied quietly. I can't remember the last time I uttered her name.

"Was?" She asked.

"That's one question and it's my turn." I snapped. Talking about her is still a big problem for me.

I saw bambi look away and then I quickly held her hand."I'm sorry,I didn't mean to snap,just that this is a touchy subject for me." I apologized.

"No it's okay. I understand. I shouldn't have crossed my limits."

"No you didn't." I said while caressing her hands. They were so soft. "We'll talk about it some other time. Now my turn right? Well let's see. What makes you angry?" I asked.

"Lies." She said and that's how we continued our game and I got to really know much about her. We had some super bonding time and I'm starting to like her even more and more. It was almost maghrib and she insisted on going to see her parents today so I said we'd go after maghrib.

"Let's go and pray then get ready to go to your parents house." I whispered in her ear as her head was on my lap. I don't know how we got to that position but I won't have it any other way.

She nodded then stood up. I felt a wave of emptiness wash over me as she left my laps. "I'll meet you back downstairs in like maybe 45 minutes or so." She said while stretching her arms and I was busy checking her out. She had on a black leggings and a white crop top that showed her belly button while she stretched. Her hair was tied in a messy bun. This woman looked beautiful even without lifting a finger. Hers was a beauty so natural that she could put Aphrodite the goddess of love to shame.

I watched as she left and I stood up too and went to my room to freshen up and then pray.

"Bambi come down we're getting late." I called out to her. I seriously don't know what girls do that make them always late.

"I'm coming now." She answered. Few minutes later she came downstairs and off we went. We arrived at her parent's house in like twenty minutes. I parked the car and we made our way to the house. They lived in a high rising and their house was the last flat. Climbing these stairs was pretty exhausting.

***

Ikram's POV

That was some really bonding time with Adnan. I got to know more about him. And talking about his ex-girlfriend Maryam was a sore subject for him and I avoided it at all costs savouring each and every moment we spend together. I mean why should I spoil his mood by asking him about a past he has no interest in sharing anytime soon.

We arrived at my parent's home after we prayed maghrib. God,I'm so excited to meet them. It felt like ages that I've seen any members of my family, well except ya Ahmad.

I could hear Adnan panting behind me because of the stairs we had to climb. I'm already used to it given the fact that I grew here all my life.

"Are we there yet?" He asked panting and stopping to rest while holding the rail of the stairs.

"Just one more. And here I thought you were physically fit." I laughed.

"How aren't you even panting or sweating?" He asked ignoring my remark on him not being physically fit.

"I'm used to it. I grew here all my life okay?!" I said.

"Well,that sure explains it." He said and we continued climbing the stairs. We arrived at our door and I couldn't keep the smile forming on my face. I rang the doorbell and in an instant, the door was opened by Najmin. And then she screamed hugging me tight and I hugged her back.

Khadija and mama came to the door trying to figure out what all the fuss and screaming was about and when Khadija saw me,she screamed too and ran to hug me while mama stood there with a smile on her face.

When they both released me,we entered into the house while Adnan towed behind us. I went and gave mama a hug. God,I miss this. I held mama tight relishing in her warmth and tempting to cry. This moment alone makes me miss home more than I could ever imagine. I wish I could even stay over but I know Baba won't agree. Besides I have school early in the morning.

"Ina wuni Aunty." Adnan greeted. He was clearly nervous. Mama answered and then ushered him to the parlour where Baba and ya Ahmad were seated. I followed him and greeted Baba feeling a little too shy to hug him. I ruffled ya Ahmad's hair as a way of greeting and then I went back to where mama was. She was in the kitchen preparing dinner.

"Mama how's your health?" I asked because I've been really having this gut feeling that something bad is going to happen soon and it scares the shit out of me.

"Alhamdullilah. We even went to the hospital yesterday for the regular check ups. Just that the doctor advised that I should stay away from things that stress me too much because my blood pressure is at an abnormal rate and anything can trigger it,so I'm just being cautious. But don't worry,everything's going to be fine in sha Allah."

I stood there speechless not knowing what to say. I noticed how mama has become more thinner and she looks very tired. I nodded at her tongue tied. I made a mental note to tell Najmin and Khadija not to let mama stress herself too much.

"Okay mama,Allah kara miki lafiya." I prayed. "Mama go and sit down and I'll complete the cooking." I said.

"Ameen Ameen, Ikram. I'll just sit here while you finish up because I know you want to talk." She said as she sat at the stool that was by the door of the kitchen while I went over to the gas cooker to check the food. She was cooking fried rice and it was almost done.

"Mama,I just wanted to ask about this marriage stuff of ya Ahmad. You know he doesn't deserve that. Mama I thought every parent's dream is to get their child married to a righteous spouse and Husna isn't that." I complained.

"I know that Ikram,but we've no choice here. Who knows if this marriage will make her much more responsible and change her for the better." Mama reasoned.

"But mama,ya Ahmad is already in love with someone. You can't attach anything to a heart that's already been taken. The love will never be there. What about Husna,what does she think of all this?"

"I very well know that but the deed is done and there's nothing I can do about it. We'll let destiny take its own course. And Husna is of course totally against it. She complained that she's still too young for marriage and what not."

I switched off the gas and started putting the food in the foodflask. "You see the problem mama, this marriage will only cause pain to both parties. Please talk to Baba and make him reconsider this marriage."

"I don't think that'll make any difference now. His mind is already made up. You know how high he holds his brother. He would do anything for him considering the fact that he helped him when he was in a rough phase."

I sighed knowing there's no way I could convince mama. Maybe this marriage will take place after all. I did try my best and I'll just do as mama says and leave destiny to take its own course.

We ate dinner and then it was time to go back. I wish I could just stay. I miss my family so much it hurts. I hugged mama the longest.

"Ya Ikram when are we coming for sleep over? You promised that we'd come." Najmin asked.

I looked over at mama but she didnt say anything. "Dont worry,when you guys go on holiday,then you can come and spend as much time you want." I said and they jumped happily and I smiled. I waved them good bye and then we left for home.

***

[A/N]: Hey,so sorry guys! Having a little writer's block lately. I mean,I have all the ideas but I just can't write them. And I'm pretty lazy these days cuz I spend my time watching series.
So who watched my snapchat feature yesterday?? Did I kill it or Nah? And I really enjoyed interacting with you guys.

So tell me your thoughts,what do you think will happen next? And tell me your theories on how u want the story to go.

Love Siyyamah💫

P.s..Today is someone's birthday. Someone very special to me.😌☺❤