Salaam everybody! I know I know I've been late on my update but I have a genuine reason for it.....I was just being lazy....see it's genuine :) told ya!
Anyways VOTE AND COMMENT and yeah this chapter is dedicated to a very jolly and nice person I know....@life-hijab Jazakallah for everything.

Cindy on the side (the girl who followed Maryam)
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MARYAM'S POV

ah! It felt so good, lazing around, free of worries and routines. I love it. I was just laying on my chest in the sun on the beach.
Zeeshan was surfing on the gigantic waves also having fun. He winked at me from time to time as I passed him a smile in return.

Things were beginning to get better between us, I was starting to forget that he was someone I hated and all that. I shifted over and looked around, everyone was lazing around like me, probably tanning themselves. Just then, I noticed a familiar tall and slim feminine figure....ugh! what is she doing here?

She stood there confident and kept smiling at me. I gave her a wierd look wishing that would make her go away but no.....I'm never that lucky. To my dismay, she started walking towards me with that stupid smile on her face. Even I cannot understand why I do not like her just because she smiles at me, it's just like I feel something's wrong, totally wrong with her.

"Hello" she said smiling sweetly.

I looked at her curtly.
Come on Maryam, show some manners. I told myself (actually my inner voice did)

"Hi" I chirped dramatically.

Ugh! like I know her for years.

"How are you doing?" She asked fondly, already making space on my mat and sitting on it.

Wait, did I ask her to sit. What a girl! I already hate you enough.

"Fine Alhamdulillah, you?" I managed to reply as sweetly.

She gave me a questioning look tilting her head to one side and then making an 'O' with her lips nodded understanding.

"Oh, you're a Muslim!" She exclaimed.

Wait! How did she know? Just then it dawned upon me that I had used Alhamdulillah.

"Yes" I nodded looking at her clothes. She was wearing a really short skirt made of net and a strapless tank top that barely covered 3 inches of her upper body. I really thought that I should tell her that for her, modesty is the best policy.

"Nice, so you're alone?" She asked looking around searching for someone who could have been with me.

Should I tell her?
No! You barely know her.
Plus She might mess around with Zeeshan provided that she's beautiful and she's barely wearing anything. I have to admit it.

"Yeah" I said forcing confidence in my voice. I don't lie much so it's difficult for me whenever I do.

"Oh" she said thinking deeply for a moment but then quickly said "I guess we're two then"

"Hmm I guess so" I said searching her eyes for anything fishy but they were crystal clear and blue.

Stop thinking bad of her, she did nothing bad to you.

But she always smiles at me and follows me around.

Maybe she wants to be your friend.

Hmmmm I don't know, I'm not sure.

You will be, give her a chance. She's no danger.

How can you say that?

If she was, she would've done something by now.

Yeah maybe. I think I'll give her a chance.

At this, I imagined my inner person smile.

But there's one more problem!

Now what?!!!

she's more beautiful than me.

So what?

Zeeshan will like her.

So?

I don't want him to!

Why?

Because.......because nothing!!!

My inner person smiled again.

I see you're quite jealous and possessive about him. You're making progress Maryam!

Shut up! I hate you.

My inner person smiled again.

Even not wanting it, I smiled too. After all he wasn't that bad. Was he?

"So....do you live here?" I managed to start the conversation this time.

"No, it's work that makes me come here" she replied smiling.

I nodded in an understanding manner.

"What about you?....do you live here?" She eagerly asked.

I smiled and shook my head in no.

"Oh....so you're here for work too?" She again asked.

I was avoiding this question from her for some unknown reason. But I had to answer now and I should not lie, right?

"No, I'm just on vacation" I replied smiling. See I didn't lie.

I prayed silently in my heart that she would not ask again whether I was alone or with someone and luckily, she didn't.

"Ooooh! So which places have you already visited?" She asked excitedly.

"I've been to Eiffel tower, Disneyland, Canal saint Martin and Louvre palace"

"Aw! that's so amazing!" She exclaimed.

I smiled.

"You haven't been there?" I asked.

"No, just been to Eiffel tower, I have lots of work here and am short of time, I barely got time for shopping and beach" she replied sadly

"Oh" was all I could say. Imagine how bad it feels when you're at one of the most beautiful places on Earth and cannot explore them. I think it's horrible.

"It's OK, I'll show you pics if you want." I said.

"OH THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL!!!"She chirped.

I searched my bag for my phone and realized that I had left it in the hotel (the one in which we were staying).

"Um...I'm so sorry, I think I left my phone home, are you free around 5 o clock Tomorrow?" I asked

"Aw! It's OK, yeah I think I can take a break. Why?" She replied

"That's great! I'll give you the address of my room. You can come and have tea with me and I'll show you the pics." I told.

I was beginning to trust her now. She was not bad.

"That sounds great, we both will give each other some company for a while" she exclaimed.

Just then I realized that I had lied to her about Zeeshan, I had told her that I had come here alone. Oh no!

What should I do now?

You should not have lied.

I sighed. I know.

"Yeah" I said looking at her now confused face.

I'll have to find some way to get myself out of this condition.

Oh I really don't know what to do.

I was internally panicking but kept my expressions normal.

We talked some more until I see Zeeshan approaching me.

Oh no. No! No! No!

I quickly stood up. Cindy (Yeah that was her name) looked at me confused.

"I've got to go now....got some important meeting with someone" I confirmed still looking at Zeeshan pleading him with my eyes not to come any further.

Surprisingly, he got the message and froze in his way giving me a confused look.

I really have explanations to make.

"Oh, well nice meeting you, see you at 5 o clock tomorrow" she said following my gaze and then looking back at me.

I quickly averted my gaze from Zeeshan.

I wish she hasn't noticed him.

Her expressions said she hadn't.

"Yeah I look forward to your arrival" I said faking a smile.

I really don't.

"OK, see you tomorrow then, bye" she said hugging me.

"Bye" I said hugging her back.

I walked away taking the opposite path from Zeeshan while she also walked away towards the parking area.

I waited until she got out of sight and then ran towards Zeeshan.

I smashed myself into his open arms and began crying.

Why? You ask. Even I don't know why.

Zeeshan was seriously confused now.

But he remained quiet and kept soothing me.

When my crying was reduced to quiet sobs, he pulled me apart and looked into my eyes.

"Better?"

I nodded.

"Then give me your 100 dollar smile, come on" he said smiling.

If my smile was a 100 dollar one then his was worth a million dollar smile. Anyways I gave him a weak smile.

He pinched my cheek playfully.

"Now that's my girl" he said.

His girl.

Only his girl.

We silently walked towards the parking area with Zeeshan holding my hand in his.

Zeeshan had hired a car for us. A huge one.

The valet stepped forward to open the door but Zeeshan held his hand up stopping him to do so and opened it for me himself.

Sweet? I know

I gracefully sat in my seat with Zeeshan beside me.

He motioned the driver to start driving.

"Where to sir?" The driver asked professionally.

Zeeshan looked at me.

"Do you feel like eating out?" He asked concerned.

I shook my head in a no. I really wanted to go home right now and be with him. Home was our apartment in this case.

"Apartment" Zeeshan told the driver and he nodded.

Zeeshan then turned towards me.

"So? Do I get to know what made you cry? " he asked innocently.

"I'm so bad Zeeshan" I replied my eyes watering.

"Why do you say that?" He asked worriedly.

That was when I completely lost control and began crying hysterically.

Zeeshan panicked and pulled me into a tight hug.

It was good that there was a curtain between the front and the back seats so the driver couldn't see us but he could hear us.

His hug was quite soothing and I quickly calmed down. I did not let him go and snuggled closer into his hug.

I could feel him smiling. He kept stroking my back gently.

Soon we arrived at our apartment.

It felt so good to be home. Well temporary home actually.

I dropped my body flat on the bed as soon as we entered our room.

Zeeshan chuckled.

"Looks like you're tired" he said.

"Yeah, I guess so" I replied turning to face him.

He smiled and began to take his shoes off.

I just kept looking at him admiring every feature of him except one. You already know which one (beard).

He looked so......energetic MashaAllah and handsome too.

He looked up into my eyes and his mouth twitched into a half smile.

"Looks like you're checking me out.....again" he said.

My cheeks heated as I averted my gaze remembering something from the past.

He took my shoes off too after he was done with his.

He motioned towards my jacket and I took it off handing it to him. He took all the things and arranged them in their places.

Good boy.

My clothes were all dirty from the sand but I was too lazy to change them.

I noticed Zeeshan searching the wardrobe for clean clothes.

He can be real tidy sometimes.

Soon he arrived with a pair of clean clothes, one for me and the other for him.

He tossed me my clothes and went towards the bathroom.

Why was he being so silent.

There was a feeling inside me that told me that he was waiting for me to tell him everything.

But how?

How could I tell him I lied.

He'd think so bad of me.

But I had to, I had to lie to save my husband from being someone other's.

YOU THINK SO LOW OF HIM?!!!
My inner person yelled at me.

No, I don't. I have to trust him. Plus I don't know how to handle this situation without embarrassing myself.

Ya Allah help me.

Now you know how much trouble a lie can put you in?

I forced myself out of the bed and headed towards the change room.

I changed into my neat clothes and sat on my bed.

I know what can calm me down right now.

I opened my phone and plugged in my headphones. I put on some really nice tilawat (recitation of Holy Quran) and rested my head on the back of bed.

Instantly I calmed down and enjoyed the recitation. I forgot about all my worries and surroundings. I was lost in that beautiful voice.

I did not realize when Zeeshan was done with his shower and had come into the room until the bed dipped under his weight.

I opened my eyes, paused the tilawat and gave him a genuine smile.

He pinched my cheek playfully returning the smile.

"So?" He began

"So?" I repeated

"I'm not going to ask you how was your day because I know it hasn't been nice-" he paused

I flinched.

"Instead I'll ask you how's life?" He completed.

I giggled.

"Life's good Alhamdulillah" I replied.

Then I realized it was time. I had to talk to Zeeshan about today.

"Zeeshan?"

"Hmm?" He asked playing with my hair.

"I need to talk to you about something" I said trying to get him to look in my eyes but he kept focusing on my hair.

"I know" he said.

He knows? Knows what?

"What- What do you know?" I asked confused.

He shifted his position and looked into my eyes for a moment before pulling the covers over us.

It really was beginning to get cold.

"That you want to talk to me" he said, again taking a lock of my hair in his hands.

I sighed.

"Then?" I asked.

"Then continue" he said.

Suddenly I felt scared. Scared that he would think bad of me for lying, for thinking so low of him and for everything else I did.

My eyes began to water. He was the only one I could trust right now. I couldn't even call mom because she was performing hajj with dad.

I had to tell him but I wasn't brave enough.

A tear left my cheek.

This time it was Zeeshan's turn to sigh.

He wiped the tear and pulled me closer to him.

"Man, you really need to trust me" he exclaimed.

"Why are you scared of telling me something?" He asked looking in my eyes.

"Because- because you'd think so bad of me" I sobbed.

"Mano, I'll never think bad of you. Everyone makes mistakes. If you did too, I'll guide you instead of thinking bad of you. Please trust me and feel comfortable around me, think of me as your closest friend. Do not hesitate to tell me anything that bothers you. Ok?" He asked.

I nodded. How do I start.

"Remember that girl with me at the beach, the really pretty one?" I started.

He chuckled and nodded.

"No-one's more prettier than you" he added.

I bloomed with happiness. He doesn't like her. Yay! He doesn't like her. He loves me. Only me!!!

"Yeah, so....ithoughtshewasmoreprettierthanmeandyouwouldlikehersoiliedtoherthatiwasalonewhensheaskedwhomiwaswithsoshecouldn'tmeetyou" I said hurriedly catching my breath.

"Whoa! Slow down! I didn't understand a word. Say everything again but slowly" he said laughing.

Aw man! I thought I did it.

"I thought she was more prettier than me and you would like her so I lied to her that I was alone when she asked me whom I was with so that she couldn't meet you" I said slowly this time and searching his eyes for any disappointment.

He looked more shocked than disappointed.

"You thought I would love her because she was more prettier according to you?" He asked

Tears welled up in my eyes.

"Zeeshan....I'm sorry-" I began

"Maryam do you even trust me? Do you feel so insecure? Do you doubt my love? Isn't my love enough to prove that you're the only one? Hmm?" He asked shocked.

I continuously shook my head in a no, tears falling out of my eyes.

There was no hint of anger in Zeeshan's voice but still it hurt.

"No Zeeshan, it's not like that.....you've always loved me most...please don't be mad at me....please....." I said breaking into hysterical sobs.

"Maryam I'm not mad at you, I can never be, I'm just shocked...shocked that you feel so insecure.....you shouldn't have lied, that's a bad deed too but what hurts me most is that you don't trust me." He said calmly waiting for my reply.

"I trust you Zeeshan, believe me, I do, I never wanted to hurt you this much, I would never have told you if I wasn't stuck in such a situation" I confirmed

"What situation?" He asked

I explained everything to him and he listened patiently.

He thought for a while then proposed a plan. He would go somewhere tomorrow before Cindy arrives and I would show her the pics containing only me.

I was calm now and promised myself that I would try to never lie from now on. Plus I had to trust Zeeshan and stop feeling Jealous.

Oh what would I have done without him.

Zeeshan was now laying down straight his eyes closed.

I leaned over to his side and kissed his cheek.

He had become my life.

I noticed the small blush starting to appear on his cheeks but his eyes remained closed.

"I know you're awake" I whispered in his ear.

He chuckled and opened his eyes.

"I now know that you love me" he replied placing his hand on his cheek where I kissed him.

Now it was my turn to blush.

He was the only one who made me feel like this.

He was awesome.
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I HOPE YOU ENJOYED, PLEASE GIVE HE YOUR COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK.
SO......THERE IS ANOTHER DECISION I MADE, I'LL BE WORKING ON IT SOON......AND THAT IS.......I WILL SOON BE STARTING AN ONLINE HALAQAH FOR SISTERS ON WATTPAD. DIFFERENT ISLAMIC MATTERS WILL BE DISCUSSED AND DUAS WILL BE SHARED, OFCOUTSE IT WILL BE IN THE FORM OF A BOOK. BUT BEFORE, I NEED OPINIONS FROM ALL OF YOU, SHOULD I? SHOULD I NOT? PLEASE REPLY ME THROUGH COMMENTS OR PM ME. JAZAKALLAH.