"How about shopping?" Sohaib asked his wife as they both couldn't decide what they wanted to do on their day off.

"Um... We went last week." Ahlam hates shopping, unlike other girls her age.

"We went last month! Last week we went to the park!"

"No way! Last week we went to the movies and then shopping."

And from then on they started to argue about what they did the week before instead of arguing about what they should do that week.

At the end they agreed to go shopping that day and go to the movies the next week, much to Ahlam's disappointment. But seeing her sad face he let her pick his outfit. She did and matched hers.

Once in the shop they chose some decorating stuff for the house and many other things. They even bought clothes and gifts for their loved ones.

"You enjoyed shopping didn't you?" Sohaib teased her when they were comfortably seated in a café inside the mall.

"Cause of the annoyingly awesome husband I have." Ahlam sighed. She really despised shopaholic people. How can they spend ALL their time there? Yet she enjoyed going out with her husband as he makes the most annoying moments as the best ones.

"Wow! Never heard of this! Annoyingly awesome! You love him though!" he teased and laughed out loud.

They spent the afternoon enjoying their time, talking, teasing each other. They had fun.

When they were in the babies shop Sohaib got a call from Sa'd.

"Salam bro. What's up?"

"Sawsan just got admitted in hospital. I... I don't know..."

"Hey hey hey! Calm down. What happened?"

"I don't know. I just went to the grocery and the neighbor called me to tell me that she's not fine and they called the ambulance. Now I'm in the hospital waiting for any news."

"okay don't panic. I'm coming with Ahlam."

After he updated his wife, they both made their way to the parking lot.

"I hope she's okay." The worry on Ahlam's face was obvious.

"She'll be okay in sha Allah." Sohaib tried to sooth her the best he could. He took her hand while driving and kissed it. He was worried for his friend as well.

Sa'd walked restlessly up and down the hospital hall. He was worried for his wife. He was searching for an explanation of what might have happened but nothing seemed to be a reason for such a sudden emergency.

"Sa'd!" he heard his friend and turned around to engulf him in a manly warm hug.

"Where's Ahmad?" These are the only words that came from Ahlam's burning throat.

"He's at my sister's place. He slept over there this whole week."

"Does he know?"

Sa'd shook his head indicating that he didn't call him nor was he calling him anytime soon. Not before he knows what is up with his wife.

"Mrs Sawsan's family?" an old man in a white blouse came to them.

"I'm her husband." Sa'd walked towards the doctor eager to know what was happening to his wife.

While Sa'd went with the doctor, Sohaib went to his wife and took her in his arms. Sawsan became an older sister to her since the first day they met. They went along with each other just like their husbands did years before.

"She'll be okay, don't worry." Sohaib tried to hush his wife but in vain. She wasn't cooperating.

"But... What.. What if..." she couldn't say anything further as sobs came harder and harder down her throat. She shed every single tear she had on her husband's chest.

"Stop your what ifs and just pray for her wellbeing." It was obvious in his voice that there was something bothering him. So Ahlam tried to stop crying and succeeded even though it was really hard.

"What's the matter? What's bothering you?" Her concern startled him. Sometimes he forgot how much she knew him and would know immediately when something was bothering him.

"Ahmad." There was no point in lying to her as he knew she won't be pleased and would nag him to know the real reason.

"I know right? First his mother and now..." She stopped herself as her voice started to shake again. This stay at the hospital brought old memories of her mother's death. She hated this place yet she had to be strong for her friend.

Sa'd went out of the doctor's office and straight to his wife's room. He sent a text to Sohaib letting him know that he can go home and he'd update him on her state in a while. Even though Sohaib insisted to tell Ahmad Sa'd was adamant not to tell anyone.

Despite his friend's refuse Sohaib went to his friend's sister's place and picked the teenage boy.

"Hey Captain!" Sohaib faked a cheer in front of the boy who noticed Ahlam's red eyes.

"Loulou? Why do you have puffy eyes? Did you cry? Did something happen?"

"She just got some news. She's still startled. Don't worry for her. " Even though he took Ahmad with him, Sohaib would never break the promise he made to Sa'd.

When they reached the flat, Ahmad went straight to his room and Ahlam to hers, leaving Sohaib alone in the living room. He sat in the sofa with his head in his hands. He signed deeply remembering the events of the day. When he was going to reach for his phone he saw a missed call from his father. He tried to relax before calling him back.

"Sohaib! Where were you? I've tried to call you for the past hour!"

"I was busy dad! I hope it's nothing bad."

"No. It's just that.... Your wife's uncle wants to see her."

"What?!" If the earlier events stressed him, this news put him out of himself. The guy didn't try to reach her since he married her as a child, and now he was...

"You heard me right.

"Why? Why now? It has been 5 years now!"

"I know. I have no explanation either. He came to me this morning and asked to see her. I told him that you guys moved away years ago."

"Hm... She's stressed right now. I'll talk to her when..."

"What happened?"

"Sawsan is in the hospital."

"What happened? Is she okay?"

"I don't know. I'm waiting for Sa'd's call."

"Hm... Tell me if there's anything new."

"In sha Allah."

"How about the boy?"

"He's here. I just picked him from his aunties. Ya Allah! Dad! What am I supposed to do now? I mean... I'm lost!"

"Don't stress yourself. You have to stay strong for your friend and your wife. As for her uncle don't tell her anything. I'll handle this myself."

After this they talked about random stuff and hang up. This relaxed Sohaib a bit before he saw Ahmad's decomposed face in front of him.

"What happened to Sawsan?" He was close to tears when he asked the question. "And why didn't you tell me?"

"Calm down and sit here."

The child executed the order and sat next to Sohaib.

"I promised Sa'd not to tell anyone, that's why I didn't tell you. Don't worry for her. She'll be alright in sha Allah, okay?"

Ahmad simply nodded not convinced of the explanation he got.

"Can I talk to them?"

"Don't tell anything."

"I'm not the kind to spoil a friendship like yours. You guys are my models."

Sohaib smile and stroked Ahmad's hair before handing him his phone. Then, in order to let him some privacy he got up and walked to his room to meet his wife.

I'm scared. Today I went to the hospital cause Sawsan wasn't well. I didn't get to see her but all the memories came rushing in my mind. I remembered mom's death. I was a lonely child back then. Now I have a husband, a brother and a best friend by my side. I have to be strong for him. But I'm scared... I'm afraid to lose her like I lost my mother. But if this is Allah's decree, then I can't go against it. But I just want to see her at least once before this happens. If it is meant to happen....

This was what Sohaib read on his wife's notebook that was laying beside her sleeping figure. After reading it, he put it back on its right place and hugged his sleeping wife. He didn't want anything to happen to her. He didn't want her to be afraid of anything.

"Sa'd where are you?" Ahmad's voice came out loud when Sa'd picked Sohaib's call. "I've been waiting for you the whole day long."

"Ahmad calm down please. I was going to pick you up on my way from the grocery but..."

"But you forgot me! I knew you'd if I don't call you. But Shada assured me that you'd never forget me."

"She's right. I didn't forget you. I just had to deal with some matters and got busy. But I was going to pick you up when I'm done in sha Allah."

"What did you have to deal with that was more important than me?"

"Well... I wasn't going to tell you but I can't lie. You remember that day when you told me that you've always wanted a little sibling?"

"Um... Yes but..."

"You'll have it in a couple of months in sha Allah."

"What? What are you talking about? And where are you?"

"I'm at the hospital with Sawsan."

"What happened?" Ahmad faked to be surprised but calmed down when Sa'd told him everything.

Sa'd smiled widely at his wife when he narrated everything. When the doctor told him that she was pregnant and that's why she fainted, she was too weak, Sa'd couldn't hide his happiness and went straight to his wife's room.

The doctor said that she could get out once the results were out.

"What's up bro?" Sohaib's voice came when sad was done talking with Ahmad.

"The moon."

"Stop your lame jokes and give me the updates." Sohaib wasn't in a mood to joke after what he got to know from his father.

"You tell me what's up that...."

"Sorry Bro." Sohaib sighed when he knew that his friend noticed his tone. "Can't tell anything for now. But you tell me what's the reason behind this smile and..."

"Okay... The reason why my wife is at the hospital is the same reason for my smile."

"What?! Repeat!"

"Okay I'll make it short. I'm gonna be a father in sha Allah."

"What?!"

"Hey man! You seriously need to check your ears. Shall I take you an appointment with a..."

"Sa'd. I'm not in a mood to joke. I'm just surprised by the news. Congrats bro." Sohaib was really happy for his friend yet couldn't express it because of the phone call he got earlier from his father.

"Aren't you happy?"

"Of course I am. How can I not be happy when I'm gonna be an uncle in a couple of months in sha Allah. But... There's a news I just got that is worrying me. I'll tell you more about it at the right time in sha Allah. You just celebrate with your wife and don't worry for me."

"Hm... You better tell me soon."

"In sha Allah bro. Now I have to see my wife and my guest. Take care of yourself and your little fam."

And he hang up without letting Sa'd saying any further. And he did the best as his wife was up and taking care of Ahmad in the kitchen.

"Finally up?" Sohaib faked a smile in front of his wife.

"What's wrong? Is it something dealing with Sawsan?"

"Nothing is wrong. Alhamdulillah Sawsan is fine. She getting out of the hospital soon in sha Allah. You have to call her to know..."

"In sha Allah I'll call her in a few. But tell me..." She stopped herself seeing her husband looking in Ahmad's direction to tell her that he was still here.

"I'm going to call dad." These are the only words coming out of his mouth before he left the kitchen.

His behaviour was weird. There was definitely something wrong with him that wasn't related to Sa'd or Sawsan. It was something else. Something he was hiding from her. And seeing the worry in his eyes when he was looking at her, she guessed that it was something related to her directly. Maybe he read what she wrote and he's worried because of this. She thought, pushing all the other thoughts aside.

"Here. He wants to speak to you." Sohaib's voice came suddenly into Ahlam's ears. Why was he so distant? However she took the phone and went to the living room leaving both of Sohaib and Ahmad in the kitchen.

"Is everything alright between you two?"

"Yeah... It's just... Nothing. Leave it. It'll be alright in sha Allah." With this he got up and went to his room after asking the boy about his homework.

"Baba! Why aren't you and mama coming over? It's always us who come."

"Cause it's always the younger who comes to the elder."

"Baba! I want to make you as my guests. Something I can't do when I come to your place."

"How about we spend an afternoon as father and daughter?"

Her father in law's proposition cheered her and made her forget about her husband's behaviour for a while.

"Really?! Of course I won't refuse such proposition! But... Are you sure that Sohaib won't say anything?"

"Don't worry, he won't be able to say anything." Both laughed and went on with their discussion until she heard the doorbell.

It was Sa'd who came to pick his brother. The smile on his face wouldn't fade since he got the news from the doctor. However he managed to see that something was wrong on his friend's face. He didn't say anything the whole while though.

Days passed by and today Ahlam was going out with her father in law. She ended her work and got out of the office to see her father's car in front of her.

"I came on time. I didn't even have time to enter the parking lot."

"Yup. Even I got out quickly. I didn't even take some time to tell Sohaib that I'm going."

"Don't worry. Just text him. I'll talk to him later in sha Allah."

"Baba?"

"Yes my child?"

"Do you know why Sohaib is distant these days? I mean... There's something wrong with him. But he refused to tell me anything." The worry on her tone was obvious. She was even close to tears.

"Alright. I think it's the right time to tell you. Remember that day when Sawsan ended up at the hospital?"

"Yeah it's the day he started to grow a bit distant."

"That day your uncle..."

Ahlam couldn't hear anything more as the mention of her uncle after 5 whole years shocked her. She was still afraid of him. She might have forgotten him in her daily life, but she still has the scars and hurt he put in her before her marriage.

"Baba... You... You.... You won't let him hurt me will you?"

"No I won't. But you still have to see him. Don't worry..."

"I... I don't want to..."

"You have to. He's your family after all."

"No... Please...."

"I'll stay with you. I won't let you alone with him."

She was eager to spend some time with him, but if she knew why he wanted to spend time with her shed have refused. Now it's too late to back up.

************

"Hey Bro! Calm down! She's only gone with your father!"

"What are you talking about?"

"You're so absorbed by her leaving without you that you called your patient by her name."

"W... What ?! Really?!"

Sa'd started to laugh out loud at his friend's madness. Sohaib was never this worried about his wife going with his father. But the condition was worth it.

"I think you need a break."

"I can have it. There's no one in the waiting room."

"Okay so tell me what's bothering you." As he said this, Sa'd faked a serious posture.

"Are you a dentist or a psychologist?"

"Why do you always have to spoil it?"

Sohaib faked a chuckle in front of his brother yet his mind was still with his wife.

"You won't fool me like this. There's something else. I mean..."

Sohaib sighed as he didn't want to tell his friend what is really going on in his wife's life.

"Please Sa'd. Leave it." As Sohaib said this the intern phone ringed.

"Yes?"

"There's a patient waiting for Sohaib."

"Okay. Btw Sawsan, do you want some coffee or tea?"

"Hot chocolate would be perfect. Thanks."

"Proposing her to drink huh?" Sohaib teased his friend when he ended the call.

"Stop blabbering and go to see your patients. You lazy doc!"

"No way! The waiting room is empty."

"Whats the reason for Sawsan's call according to you? Only for commanding hot drink? She just told me there...."

"Okay stop this and make her her drink." Sohaib felt annoyed by his friend's words though they were not offending.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing. I'm going now."

*********

"No way! I'm staying here with her."

"Why would you stay? I just want a private moment with my niece."

"Baba...." Ahlam's call came like a whisper in between the fight between her father and uncle.

"Yes?" Sohaib's dad looked at her as he answered with concern written all over his face.

"Let me with him. But stay close. I'll call you if I need any help." When she said that, his face softened yet the worries were still there.

"Dad huh!" her uncle mocked once the elder man stepped out and closed the door behind him. "He's the first..."

"Cause he deserves it." Her confidence startled him. She never spoke to him like this. But 5 years is enough time to make a caterpillar become a butter fly. And in the meanwhile people change too.

"Where does this confidence come from?"

"You didn't ask after me to ask me insignificant questions, did you?"

"Um... You're right. I was looking for you to ask you to divorce."

"No way! Not even in your brightest dreams, nor my darkest nightmares." It was obvious in her tone that the request upset her. Yet her love for her husband and care for her in law's didn't let her any time to hesitate.

"What do you mean? You just refuse my wish? Me? The one who hosted you when...."

"And what type of hosting! I was a maid here, when I am a queen there!"

"What are you saying?"

"I'm finally voicing my feelings. I'm freeing myself from all those hidden emotions."

"I can see that kid changed you and got the worst out of you!"

"The kid as you say took care of me better than my own uncle."

"I don't care! I'm just asking you to..."

"And I don't care. I'm just telling you it's not possible."

"Okay then. You leave me no choice. It's either this or I'll kill your so called husband."

"W... What?!"

"You divorce? Of I'll..."

"ENOUGH!"

Ahlam couldn't take it any more. She stormed out of the room and crashed on her father's chest crying her heart out while he stroked her head and glared at the man in front of him.

*********

"Baba tell me he didn't...."

"He did my son. He did."

"Why? I mean which man would... Ya Allah ! I can't...."

"Just have some patience. He married her to fulfill his debt you know. And now after 5 years he tough that everything was over and I got over it. But the contract is not over. And it never will."

"Whats written in the contract by the way? You never told me."

"Its written that of he forces her to divorce, he'd pay the rest of the debt. But if she decides by her own will to divorce, she'll be free and he won't have to return the money."

"So he tried to influence her but it didn't work."

"Exactly."

"I always knew that my father is the smartest man. Ma sha Allah, just like his son." The pressure left Sohaib's shoulders as he talked with his father after he came from work.

"Isn't it the other way around? I mean the son is smart like his dad..."

"It's the same dad. I mean like 2+1=3 and 1+2=3. The order has no importance."

"Not with numbers, but with words it definitely has."

And they both laughed at this Déjà vu sensation. They had this argument about words and numbers and order or not over and over again for the past few years.

"Maybe... Anyways What's the solution now? I mean he won't leave the matter will he?"

"Good point. I suggest that you both go on holidays for your next break. And I think that we'll find a solution by then bi idhnillah."

"Sounds great. I'll talk about it with Ahlam and tell you about our decision  in sha Allah."

Later that day Ahlam and Sohaib decided to spend two weeks in Germany, on week in Berlin and the other in Francfort as they'd heard a lot of these two cities from Ahmad. Especially the turning restaurant in the television tour in Berlin where Ahlam was eager the have dinner with her dear husband.

And that's how a few months later they both heard the bitter sweet news of her uncle in jail for some years.

Salaaaaaaam!!!!! Yes it's me again!!!! I hope you all enjoyed reading just like I enjoyed writing.

I didn't have time to edit it as I had to make it before the end of entries for Pepsi's contest.

Anyways tell me what you thought on the comments....