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Author's POV

"Zina hurry up and get ready if not I'm leaving you" Mahmoud shouted at her door

"Toh" Zina shouted back and hurriedly applied Kohl on her eyes, even though she nearly stabbed her self with because of her darling husband's constant shouting

"When you are done come down for dinner" he added before heading to the kitchen

On the other side of the room was where zina sat staring at herself in the mirror in awe, she was wearing a lilac abaya and a white Jersey hijab, for make up she applied Kohl,powder and lipstick! Yes lipstick, even her herself was wondering when was the last time she applied that on her lips

"Why do I suddenly care about my appearance, is it because I'm going to see ayman" zina asked her reflection

Nah girl, you wanna look fine for Mahmoud

"Pishhhhhh no way" Zina disagreed with her inner self and carried a tissue to wipe the lipstick off her lips but stopped midway

"Um I'm doing this for myself that's all that matters and I like how I look" Zina shrugged putting the tissue back where it belongs and stood up

She went to her closet to search for a shoe"It's either I choose Chanel or Jimmy Chos" she contemplated weighing both of the heels in her hands trying to figure out which she should carry, at the end she picked the white Chanel and carried a white Chanel bag to go with it

She scurried to kitchen to have her breakfast

"Argh what took you so long, I almost started eating without you" Mahmoud rolled his eyes as he started eating his food not even bothering to compliment her making her slightly annoyed

She dragged a chair,sat on it and dug into the delicious meal that was begging her to eat it

"You cooked this" Zina asked skeptically

"Umhm" Mahmoud nodded taking a sip of his coffee

"You would teach me one day" Zina suggested making him choke a bit

He scratched his head a little before saying "Well actually I didn't cook It but I helped in the process of cooking it"

''Then since you helped in the process of cooking it I'm sure you know how to cook it and which ingredients to use" Zina smirked, knowing fully well that he didn't do a thing

"Not really I just warmed up the food, happy?" He surrendered

"Very" she replied with a cheeky smile and stood up to clear the dishes

"You don't need to, I will do it, just go and do what you want to do before I'm done cause I'm not going to wait for you" Mahmoud said taking the plates from her hands, she smiled appreciatively and went to the enormous living room where she found her phone  ringing on one of the sofas

The ID of the caller was Sofii

"Amarya amarya an manta da mu (The bride the bride, you have forgotten about us)" Zina spoke eagerly

"Wasalam malama" sofi replied sarcastically

"Oops As'salamualaikum, ji ki irin matan auren nan harda wani salama (see you,like one big woman with your salam)" Zina teased

"Toh ni ba matar auren bane, ji min (I'm I not married?)" Sofi chided happily

"Uhm I see, you know the saying old habits die hard, I'm already used to you shouting 'Yoo' the moment you pick the call so I was surprised" I confessed chuckling

"Toh I don change, anyways how are you doing? How is Mahmoud treating you? Are you happy" Sofi asked concerned

"Alhamdulilah I'm fine,Mahmoud is treating me good, and am I happy? I'm not sure but I'm not sad either, I'm average if that make sense the only thing I can say for now is Alhamdulilah" Zina replied truthfully picking on her nails

"Toh Maa shaa Allah, May Allah make it easy for you sis" Sofi prayed

"Amin thanks sistoo, so tell me how is the marriage life treating you? Is it everything you expected it to be?" Zina inquired

"Even better than I've expected Alhamdulilah. All the milk,milo and the meat are all mine! I can eat anything I want and at anytime" Sofi exclaimed making Zina burst into a fit of laughter and her sister joined in on that

"Oh oh my god, you you you won't kill me" Zina whizzed clutching to her stomach

"Erm erhm" sofi cleared her throat after the laughter has subsided"I think I might be pregnant" sofi said nervously making Zina to quickly sober up and sit down on the chair that she slid from moments ago due to laughter

"Really" Zina asked, astonished by what her sister is saying

"Yeah....But I'm too scared to take the test, what if I'm getting my hopes high for no reason" Sofi sighed

"Sofi I-i don't know what to say honestly,you have rendered me speechless but what I do know is that a child is always a blessing and even if it turns out you aren't pregnant it will be for a good reason,remember We plan and Allah plans,he is the best planner." Zina softly said trying to sooth her sisters heart

"You are right but I really hope I am, I don't want to be excited but I just can't help but feel ecstatic just thinking about it" Sofi chuckled softly

"I'm done le-" Mahmoud started but was interrupted by Zina's hand, gesturing to keep quiet and move along

He stared at her like she has grown 20 fingers in that hand,no one and I mean absolutely no one has ever hushed him or even attempted to because they know they will meet their end, but here is his 19 year old wife hushing him

He scoffed before muttering "The audacity" and walking away to get his keys

"Does anyone know?"Zina asked as she watch her husband grumble under his breath and walk away with a protruded mouth, making her laugh inwardly

"Nope just you, why do you ask?" Sofi asked readjusting her sitting position

"Oh nothing,pray and take the test kinji (you hear)" Zina advised standing up from the couch

"Okay thanks, I will get back to you bye b" Sofi replied before cutting the call

"Y-Mahmoud?" Zina called instead of saying ya mahmoud, she thought;abeg what's the point of calling him ya mahmoud mun riga munyi aure ba wani maganar yaya

[We are already married,there is no reason for me to call him yaya]

"What? Are you done?" He asked crossing his arms over his broad chest as he stares at her with an expressional face

"Yes, sorry about that it was safiya" she explained her self and he just nodded heading to the door

"I'm going to drop you up at ayman's and then leave'' He said opening the car door for her

"Okay.....But why" She asked curiously

"I'm going to dig myself out of the grave I dug years ago" he replied reversing the car out of the drive way

"Oh...Does that mean you are going to see uncle Alex?" She asked nervously, something deep within her stomach didn't feel right

"Yes" He answered checking the side mirrors to make sure no one is following them

She frowned at his reply and he noticed it almost immediately but decided to ignore for a minute or two so as not to look desperate

"Why are you frowning?'' He asked exactly 2 minutes later, not even a second added

"Is just that... What if something goes wrong? What if you don't return? What if you guys start exchanging bullets? What if you get shot? What if-"

"Okay the what ifs are alright, and nothing is going to happen in shaa Allah" Mahmoud assured placing his hands on hers

"In shaa Allah" Zina nodded trying to calm herself

"So are you going to escort me?" Zina asked once Mahmoud parked his car in front of Ayman's house

"Do you want me to?" He asked back raising a brow

"It'd be nice to have someone by side my side"she answered picking her nails

"Okay, let's go" he replied getting out of the car

ZINA'S POV

With shaky hands I rang the doorbell

Ding dong

I sighed looking at Mahmoud and he gave me an 'are you okay' look, I nodded and mouthed 'just a bit nervous'

He placed his hands on my shoulders and said "Don't worry everything will be okay and besides I'm here with you"

I nodded and just then a maid swung the door open revealing a bit of the interior design of the house

"How may I help you" The maid asked me with a bored expression while she sends flirtatious glances at Mahmoud

"Is Ammi home?" I politely asked  ignoring the way she was savagely eyeing my man

Wait wait wait! When did he become your man

I mentally smacked my self in the head

"Yes, she is home" she replied glaring at me

"Come in'' she ushers looking at Mahmoud with a sugary smile that made me wanna barf in face

"As'salamualaikum" Mahmoud and I chorused entering the spacious living room

I immediately spotted Ammi and her two daughters sitting on the couches, their eyes were focused on the TV but clearly they weren't paying attention to it

I moved further into the living room and said a loud yet soft taslim and that made their gazes to snap to me

"Zina?" Ammi and Aira chorused looking at me in awe

"What are you doing here!" Aira shouted standing up from her seat as she took long strides to me, I was too shocked to even move an inch

The next thing that came into my view was Aira's hand being held by Mahmoud's giant ones

"Let go me! My brother is in a coma because of you!! And he might never wake up yet you have the balls to show your face here" Aira yelled angrily as tears stream down her cheeks

"Aira that's enough,its not her fault it has already been written" Ammi intervened standing up as well, all this while my poor zahra was just sitting in her chair and looking at us with a blank face

"Of course you would pick her side" Aira glared at me one last time before stomping off  to her room I guess?

"Ammi I'm sorry-"

"You don't need to apologize dear, it has already been written" Ammi cut me off with a sad smile, her eyes traveled to where Mahmoud was patiently standing

"Oh Ammi urm...erm this this is my cousin and also my husband" I whispered the last part quietly hoping she wouldn't hear it,her son is there laying on his death bed but here I am starting my own family

Feeling ashamed of my self would be an understatement

"As'salamualaikum I'm Mahmoud" Mahmoud introduced himself with a soft smile

"Oh.. I didn't know you got married" Ammi said trying to hide the sadness in her voice but I still detected a tinge of it

"Yeah..it was sudden" I replied averting my gaze from her

"Please have a seat let me get you something to drink,would you like anything?" She asked and we shook our head gesturing no

"Okay, I let me bring water for your guys then" She said heading to the kitchen,i turned my attention to Zahra and saw her looking at Mahmoud blankly

''Hey little Z" I greeted reaching for hand

''You got married?" She asked instead of replying to my greeting

"Yeah'' I confessed not able to look meet her gaze

"Okay" she replied quietly and turned her attention back to the TV

I sighed and rubbed my temples before trying to engage in another conversation with her

"How have you been holding up" I asked

"Fine" she simply answered

"Don't mind her dear, she has been like that since the accident,she hasn't cried up til today" Ammi whispered to me as she kept the tray of water on the center table

"I feel bad" I sighed looking at Zahra again

"I need to leave, will you be okay? Or should I stay" Mahmoud whispered in my ear

"You can go" I smiled a little,hopefully I'm safe and nothing would happen

"Okay" He replies and stood up,he bid Ammi goodbye and promised to pick me up 3 hours later

"Fatima why don't you take Zina to see your brother hm?" Ammi suggested looking at Zahra with eyes full of pity and love

"Okay" she stood up and started leading way but I didn't follow, she turns and notice that I'm not following her,she raised a brow at me

"Aren't you going to hold my hand" I pouted stretching my hand

"Fine" she mutters and held my hand

We took many turns before we reached the room ayman is staying at.My hand started sweating,my heart was going crazy,i felt like I needed to throw up the hallway started spinning making me feel dizzy,my legs started feeling wobbly like jellies making it impossible for me to stand straight

I used my left hand to support my self so I won't fall down,eventually I slid down to the floor

"Z! Are you alright?" Zahra asked worriedly as she tapped my cheeks, wallahi I'm very close to fainting

"Bath..room" I said with great hardship and she pointed the door across us, I rushed to it and threw up everything I ate,I flushed the toilet and rinsed my mouth with water

"Are you okay'' Zahra asked after I've came out of the bathroom, I just sat down on the floor again it feels like my legs have been ran over multiple times with a truck

"No, I'm not okay zahra" I teared up

"Your brother is in a coma because of me,your sister hates me,you are not okay,i got married against my will but my mom is still not satisfied.My life is a mess" I wailed clutching my dress

"I-I'm not okay,yes Z I'm not okay but everyone expects me to be okay" Zahra said wiping my tears,i could see hers tearing up too

"I don't want to be weak,if I cry maama and Aira will get worried about me,if I were to start crying I'd cry every single day but I don't want them to worry" she added as a tear dropped from her beautiful forest green eyes

"Can we just cry and forget about what people think? Can't we just be selfish this once?" I asked wiping her tears and she nodded

"Oh Z! I don't want to lose brother ayman! By Allah I love him so much" she burst into tears as she hugs me tightly, I can feel her warm tears soaking my hijab but I don't care as long as she cries it's okay, I've learned a valuable lesson and that is to never bottle up your feelings or else you might end up like me, depressed.

Authors POV

It's a dark and dreary night, and Mahmoud is walking down a narrow and dimly lit alleyway. He can hear the sound of his footsteps echoing off the damp brick walls. The air is thick with the smell of smoke and dampness, and there's a faint hint of something metallic in the air. His hand rests on the hilt of his knife, and he moves with the swiftness and stealth of a predator.As Mahmoud rounds a corner, he sees a group of men huddled together in the shadows. He can tell they're up to no good, and he knows they're not from around here. As he approaches, the men notice him, and one of them steps forward to confront him. "What are you doing here?" the man asks, his voice dripping with menace. "This is our territory, and we don't take kindly to strangers." Mahmoud looks the man up and down, sizing him up. Then, without a word, he draws his knife and lunges forward but before the knife could meet the man's chest a voice was a heard, a voice Mahmoud knows so well that it gave him night,uncle Alex

"Hey, there's no need for violence here. Let's all take a step back and talk this out" Uncle Alex said with a smug look

"Uncle Alex I'm out of the game, i don't want to be apart anymore" Mahmoud said looking at his uncle dead in the eye with no fear

"Don't you think it's a bit ungrateful for you to leave? After all we have done for you?'' Uncle Alex replied taking a few step forward

"I don't care what you say I'm leaving" Mahmoud said and started walking away but his uncle bitter chuckle made him stop

"I didn't want this to get ugly,but if you can't be in the Mafia anymore then you can't leave,boys'' Uncle Alex summoned his goons and they reappeared,some holding a knife while some bats

"Take care of him me,I've got to go and meet his wife I heard she's quite a beauty" Uncle Alex added making Mahmoud's ears to perk up and his heart started to beat rapidly

"What are you blabbering about" Mahmoud asked his voice dangerously low as he glares daggers to uncle Alex

"Oops I forgot to tell you, I have your little wife, don't believe me? Here lemme call" Uncle Alex said bringing out his phone from his jacket and dialed a number

''Yes boss" a gruff voice answered the call

"Put the girl on the phone" Uncle Alex instructed

"Speak" the man yelled making Zina cry and shake her head

"Ma-hmoud" Zina's weak voice was heard making Mahmoud to start seeing red

"Leave my wife alone!" Mahmoud shouted as he took long strides to where Uncle Alex was standing but before he could reach him a blow was thrown at him making him stumble back

"Ma-mah-oud I like yo-" Uncle Alex cut the call before she continue what she was saying making Mahmoud more angry and roll up his sleeves in preparation for a fight,he moves hands gesturing for one of the men to come if they dare

One of the men makes a move towards Mahmoud, and he quickly grabs the man's arm and twists it behind his back. The man cries out in pain, and the others rush towards Mahmoud. But he's fast and agile, and he moves quickly, avoiding their punches and kicks. He blocks a punch from one man, and then uses the momentum to spin around and sweep the man's legs out from under him. Another man tries to grab him from behind, but Mahmoud ducks under his arms and slams him into the table,With two men on the ground, the others back away from Mahmoud, wary of his fighting skills. But then, one of them lunges forward, and Mahmoud dodges to the side, causing the man to crash into a wall. Another man tries to hit Mahmoud from behind, but he ducks and whirls around, sending a quick punch to the man's jaw. The man stumbles backwards, dazed.One of the men manages to land a punch on Mahmoud's jaw. It's a glancing blow, but it still hurts. Mahmoud stumbles back, shaking his head to clear the dizziness. The men close in, thinking they have the upper hand,one of the men that was holding a bat hit Mahmoud on the back making him wince in pain and cough out a little bit of blood,he wiped his mouth and stood up Even thought his ribs were crying for help.His eyes searched the alley for uncle Alex but he couldn't find a trace of him making him curse loudly and bring out his gun

Mahmoud shot a few guys on their legs while some their arms,he picked up his paced and ran in search for Uncle Alex and his wife,his wife.Thats when what his mother's advice rang in his head

Flashback

"Mahmoud i advice that you put a tracking device on her phone,its like i want something bad to happen or anything like that but you can never know especially in your line of work.its better to be safe than sorry" Ammi said patting her son's hand and he nodded

End of Flashback

Mahmoud quickly fished out his phone from his pocket and entered the tracking app on his phone,he followed the apps direction until it lead him to a door

He called his men and the nearest police station for back up before pushing the door open revealing a tied up Zina

"Zina Zina Zina" Mahmoud called as he rushes to her side

"Woah woah calm down lover boy" Uncle Alex said emerging from the darkness

"Screw this" Mahmoud cursed as he lounges forward and grab his uncle's collar and thrust him to the ground

"It's not like I respect you or pity you,if it was up too me I'd smash your head to wall multiple times" Mahmoud said in a low menacing voice as he looked at his 57 year old Uncle with nothing but hatred

"Just kill me" Uncle Alex spat bitterly as he looked at his nephew,just then sirens were heard making Uncle Alex to visibly shake in fear

"It's over Uncle" Mahmoud said and thrusted him to the ground once again and went to his untied his wife

"Zina" Mahmoud called as he tapped her cheeks lightly but she wasn't responding,he picked her up bridal style and took her to his car

He drove in full speed to the hospital,when he reached there he shouted on top of his voice for the doctors attention

The nurses rush him and placed Zina on the stretcher

20 minutes later.

"Doctor how is she? Is everything alright?" Mahmoud asked the moment he spotted the doctor that was attending to her

"Yes yes,she had a panic attack but she is fine now,she is awake you can go ahead and see her" The doctor said placing his stethoscope around his neck

Mahmoud thanked him and rushed to the room,he found her seated on the hospital bed

"How are you doing kitty" Mahmoud asked softly as a placed a loving kiss on her forehead

"Alhamdulilah,you got bruises on your face you should also get treated" she said looking at him

"I will later" he smiled lovingly as he sits down close to her on the bed

"About what I said earlier, I really meant it, I hope we can have a normal relationship like couples do" Zina smiled a little

"Look i know we didn't get married out of love or anything like that, but I'd love to experience what it feels to be loved by someone that is already yours, I know you are going to say you aren't good enough for me but let me decide that.Everyone has a side of themselves that they don't want others to see,rain falls on everyone,its just that some get wetter than others but eventually the rain will stop.I'll be your umbrella" she added holding Mahmoud's hands as she gazed lovingly into his eyes

"You say love the sun but you look for a shade to stay in,you say you love the rain but you carry an umbrella,you say you love the wind but you close your windows,thats why I'm afraid when you say you love me" he replied look touching her soft cheeks

"You don't need to be afraid,because without you nothing matters" she smiled as he embraces her lovingly

The End.

And that's the end of Mahmoud's and Zina's story.....There will be an epilogue....stay tuned,byeee I'm really tired please vote +4000 words isn't a joke