OMAR|

AlFarouq!
Hello.

I answered the phone call after letting it ring out twice. I knew it was My mother being the only one that calls me by my first name. I've been ignoring her calls for the past two weeks.

Ummee Ina jinki
I snapped

Farouq you rarely answer my calls.
She ranted.

What do you want me to say to you Ummee?

I'm your mother and you should learn how to speak to me with respect.
Now she was angry.

I wanted to cut the call but I just want her to get over with it.

I know what you want to hear from me but wallahi I will not apologise for Samiha.
I sighed.

I've found a replacement for you as I told you.
Maybe you'd remember her, she's the daughter of Mas'ud wife.
Everything is in place and since the other wedding is off you see its much easier to use the time and resources for this one.

My throat went dry for the thousandth time.

Farouq can you hear me.
You're going to behave and accept this as a change in your destiny.
She's good girl.
So you should quit all that childishness and your father trying to talk me out of it and accept your mother's choice.
Kaji na fada maka. (I've told you so)

Farouq you haven't said anything.
Farouq?
Are you even listening to me.?
Hello
Hello

From a distance I could hear her still talking. Yes I kept the phone by the bedside drawer and sat a distance away from it. I didn't want my mother to spoil my mood early in the morning. She realised I wasn't listening and ended the call.
For all I care she's ruined my life and my only chance of happiness and I will make sure she gets that back tenfold.
Before the last two weeks events, I was marrying my cousin Samiha.

It started as a childhood crush and all the family was talking about it. I think that was how it got into our heads.
Samiha was very chatty, she had a beautiful smile and a curvy body.
We were the topic of discussion in every family meeting. Everyone was waiting for us to grow up and get married. She was in still in Junior High when I went away to study. Even through the distance, we still kept in touch. We both had our own shares of boyfriends/girlfriends but we always maintained a good relationship when I came back for holidays. She was destined to be mine.
Come to think of it Ummee never approved of our meetings / outings.

She raised an eyebrow over me taking her out or she coming over for weekends. I always thought she was being overprotective of her brother's daughter. I remembered a day Ummee caught us in a bear hug by the garden. Hell nearly went loose.

She sent me back to Uni the following day and when I called to apologise.
She told me blankly how she disliked us being together. I didn't take her words serious because I thought she was angry. We kept in contact through phone calls and I even went to UAE to visit her one summer when she was there for a holiday.
Fast forward last year I kept raising the topic of marriage since I had completed both my Degree & Masters and was fully working under Kofti Group of Companies here in the US.
It was falling on deaf ears. Samiha was becoming impatient and threatening to get married to one of her numerous boyfriends If I didn't ask for her hand officially.

I couldn't take it any longer so I asked my uncles who went to speak to Baffa Yusuf; Samihas dad for her hand in marriage on my behalf. He was overwhelmed with joy. Everyone was looking forward to a grandè family wedding but Ummee wasn't carried along. I had already planned everything. Consulted the finest architects and built a dream house, had my cars shipped back, it was going to be our perfect life. But two months exactly to the wedding date, I heared Ummee and Samihas mum had a serious fight which led to both of them calling off the wedding. I blamed ummee for everything because she wasn't in support all along. Samiha on the other part wasn't helping matters. She calls and rained curses on me every single day.

Her mother wasn't left behind too.
I was a coward not to fight my mother for her. My once planned out perfect life was crumbling before my very own eyes.
Two months later on the exact date I was married off to someone. It happened so fast. I honestly thought it was a joke. Ummee called happily talking about a Replacement. That's what I call her.She's already made arrangements and informed my place of work. I was handed a key to one of the houses on the Kofti Estates.
B

ut will I accept a replacement?.

Was she part of this all?.
Of course she was & all I know is that I'd make her regret accepting this deal.

🍁

Ummee had called to notify me that the bride will be coming tomorrow .
I disliked picking her calls after the turn out of events. At first she asked me to come down for the wedding which I declined. Then she kept bugging me about the so called wife to the extent of bombarding me with pictures of her. I never took a look and when I was pushed to the wall, I blocked her off my contacts and lied that I had misplaced my line.
I also told her how I will have nothing to do with a wife that's not Samiha but well it didn't go well. The next thing I knew, She was speaking to Mr Kofti and I was arranging a visa for my to be wife.

I answered the call tiredly.
What again?
I fumed.

Hameeda will arrive tomorrow around midnight.
You should go pick her up.

For all I care she should get lost in the airport or get abducted and Since you wanted her to come that bad why didn't you speak to Mr Kofti to send a driver.

Farouq ni kake fada ma magana yanda kaso (is it me you're talking to the way you want?)
Allah mai iko (God is Great)

Ummee it's just that I'm tired.
I will have work the next day and it's midnight.
The road is always crowded at night time.

You should do what you please Farouq.
You should disrespect your mother kaji. Goodbye.

This woman.
I wondered.
How can she even play victim.

I switched off my phone and prayed I wouldn't remember. The next day I was resting after Isha when my phone kept ringing. It was Ummee.

Farouq so you've seen your wife and you won't even call to let people know she's arrive safe right.
Yaushe zakai hankali ne (when are you going to stop being childish)

What wife

I panicked a little. I checked my wrist watch. The flight was due to arrive 3 hours ago. Was she that daft. She should have called. I ended the call and rushed out.
The drive to JFK International Airport was slow. Damn how I hated traffic. I walked into the arrival hall and looked for any familiar face I could see. Just then I noticed her petite figure. She was holding a book. It reminds me of all those picture perfect wallpapers. She was wearing a floral maxi dress and a veil around her head. Then I remembered one of her pictures I had accidentally downloaded and deleted. I search in my recycle bin and got it back. It was her. I walked up to her not knowing what to say.

What was her name again?
I thought.

Hafsa. ?

Before I could call her name she rested her eyes on me as I approached and her lips parted in a smile.

Hameeda?
I asked

Omar!
She responded

And for a split second I wanted to give this beautiful replacement a CHANCE.

I frowned.
How long have you been here?

about 3 hours.
She quaked

And you couldn't call?
I raved

I never had your number.
My phone died and I couldn't call home either.
She spoke like a child being scolded.

I carried her suitcase along and
opened the door for her then nearly changed my mind. Was I trying to make a good impression? No. She is the ENEMY remember. She sat down with such grace of a royal.
The drive was slow and I could see how her eyes widened with awe as she consumes the sight of New York City. I had planned to take Samiha round places before we reach home.

Maybe spend a couple of nights and see Newyork the city that never sleeps. But this wasn't Samiha. This was her Replacement. Tired of watching she sighed and leaned againts the chair. She remained calm through out. We arrived home and I helped her take out the suitcase.
I wanted to leave the house. My mind was in conflict and with such gracious sight in front of me, I was finding it hard to think well.

Ummee sure knows how to replace.
Good job Ummee.
My mind marveled

But as a conflicted mind would advise,...

I have to runoff
Big game tonight.

I broke the silence. Luckily for me I had my jersey on. I drove to the other side of the building and parked.

I decided to keep changing radio channels till I got tired. It was around midnight. True NY is a city that never sleeps but I wasn't all about that NY life. I tried to think but her image kept clouding my mind. After what seems like forever, I drove back home.
I halted to the sight before me

I stood there still and watched. It was an exhilarating sight. It took all the nerves on my body to resist approaching her and just holding her hands or just sitting next to her. I wanted to know how it feels. But is this me accepting Samihas replacement. I frowned.

Your room is upstairs.
You can pray there you know.

And I picked up her suitcase and went up. She followed after a while. I gave her a little tour of the house and watched how a little bit excited she was. When the tour reached my room, I didn't want to continue because of the little distance she kept walking next to me. For a split second our hands nearly gazed each others and thank God I had noticed.

I didn't like that I was thinking about her in other ways.

This is mine.

And the other is empty.
Make yourself at home.
Food is in the kitchen.

I closed the door at her face.

Inside I just sat backing the door as I shivered. I had my revenge carefully planned. But the sight before me. She's a goddess. I wasn't expecting anything like her. But hey she might be hiding a little devil behind that smile. That beautiful smile. I thought.

I wanted to perform ablution and pray istikhara but I was scared What if she's the best for me. What If she's the worst. With that I slept.

The next morning I woke up for subh and joined the little congregation of Muslim workers at the Kofti Residence mostly the security and cleaners. I retired back home and was passing when I noticed the pink suitcase still lying there. Then I remembered. I'm married and I now have a wife. I fought the urge to check up on her or wake her up for subh. It was the Muslim thing to do. But I didn't want her rewards.I walked back to my room and slept round two. I woke up around noon. I rarely sleep this late but I was given some few days off from work. It was a Friday so I just showered and prepared for Masjid. I stayed in my room planning on what to say if I meet her or just how to ignore her.
T

here was a soft knock on my door.

Come in
I beamed.

Her radiant smile was greeted by my frown.

Ina kwana.
She still smiled.

I couldn't take my eyes off her.
She wore a beautiful purple atamfa designed with beautiful yellow flowers. My eyes scanned her face and I gulped.

The Maid came.
Don't worry she's shown me around.
She still wore a smile as she spoke.

I was still staring at her.

Okay I just wanted to check up on you.

She sensed the awkwardness of the conversation and tried to leave.
I didn't stop her. I slided into my favourite loafers and walked out.
Adriana the Spanish maid greeted me as she dusted the tables. She came every Friday to clean the house.

I answered my eyes not leaving the table set before me.

I took the first spoon full of hummus. It was the best I've ever tasted. The kebabs were spicy and delicious.
And my favourite Lemon and mint.

Adriana how lucky of me.
You never made these at the Kofti Manor.
And fresh bread too.
I went on and on to praise her cooking.

Sir as much as I want to take credit for this I think you should thank your beautiful Mrs.
I tried to stop her cus I know how you are with strangers food.
But now I don't have to worry coming back to cook.
She's got it covered.

She smiled and continued her work.

According to my revenge, I would spat out the food and feign anger. Even storm out of the house.

BUT I ate calmly savouring the rich taste of goodness my taste buds will forever be greatful to. I was walking out to leave when I saw her seated in the living room downstairs. It was as if she was waiting for me. I tried walking away but her voice stopped me.

Umhh could you please call Ummee to let her know I've arrived safe.
So she could let My mum and Abba know.

I stood there for a while then went back upstairs. I had a phone and a private line I wasn't using. It was just lying there. I walked back downstairs and handed her the phone.

Then walked out without a word.

This is me being forced by aysherhsagagee01 & xieykhalil to update.
I

t's also dedicated to you guys.
Now I can pass Neuro/Rh test in peace 😈.