It was almost 9 am and Ahmad was still in the position he had took long after the dawn prayer. He laid face up on the small rug with his right arm over his eyes and right foot crossed at his left foot's ankle.

A concerned Salma's figure stood over her husband.

"Ahmad," she called causing him to withdraw his arm from his eyes. His eyes met hers. "This isn't normal again. It's been two weeks and you haven't left home for work at all." Salma lowered her body beside her husband.

Ahmad released a heavy breath before sitting up.

"I'm really worried and you're not telling me anything. I know you're not fine so I won't bother asking that."

Ahmad's silence filled the room making Salma feel as though she was in a monologue. Ahmad opened his mouth to speak but ended up swallowing his words before bringing his palms to cover his face while releasing another heavy breath.

"What is wrong, tell me Ahmad. I'm your wife and telling me your problem is totally fine." Salma recalled the incident of the destruction of her husband's stall and how he had told her in one of their conversations that he was thinking of stopping the business.

Ahmad pulled his palms away from his face and flashed a weary smile at his wife. "My non-stop overthinking wife." He chuckled, a rehearsed laugh danced at the bottom of his throat. Salma got up at once, annoyance suddenly replacing affection.

"Not today Ahmad, not today! There is something bothering you and I have a right to know!" She blurted as tears sat at the back of her eyes. Ahmad sat there wanting to speak, yet unable to. How was he going to tell her that their income was crippling and that they would have to reconsider their plans of having children?

"Did you lose your job at the mosque?" Her teary eyes pleaded with him for a reply. Ahmad's usually lit face was now dim and tired as he slowly nodded his head while avoiding his wife's gaze.

"They let go of us all because of the shortage in funds." The sentence got stuck in his throat at some point but they found their way out anyways.

Tears were now rolling down Salma's face and she lowered herself to her former position.

"You should have told me earlier," She nearly choked on her sobs. "I knew something happened." She wrapped her arms around her husband, comforting him. Ahmad released the third sigh.

"I'm sorry," Ahmad whispered in a tired voice. "I let you down."

"What nonsense, you didn't let me down. Things are tough and that is absolutely fine." Salma was soothing her husband's dark hair.

Silence grew between the couple as they enjoyed each others warmth. 

"I suspected something like this happened so," Salma paused and Ahmad heard as she held her breath as if deciding last minute weather or not to say what she was about to or keep it.

"I'll try getting another one, God Willing." Ahmad assured his wife amidst her pause.

"I got a job at a local eatery." Ahmad stiffened as his wife's words reached his ears. He released himself from their embrace almost immediately. Ahmad stared into his wife's eyes searching to see if it were one of her jokes but he found no sign of her meddling around.

"It's not safe Salma," He rose to his feet and turned his back to his wife showing his disapproval of her lone taken decision. "You should have told me at least."

"It's a good and fair pay Ahmad. It'll help us keep things going before you find another job." Salma rose up as well and padded her small feet to where Ahmad stood facing the only window in the room.

Ahmad said nothing at first but then he turned to his wife and looked at the wall above her head as he spoke. "It's not safe Salma. It is not safe." He repeated as though she had not heard his previous statement.

"Jenin is not that far from here." She stated still trying to make her point clear to Ahmad.

Ahmad moved his gaze to his wife's and took hold of her shoulders before proceeding to shake her lightly as if the action would knock some sense into her. "I can't have you going out there alone! It's not safe." He stopped the shaking and pointed out the window. "Do you know what would become of me if you get killed?" His stare remained fixated on her frowned face.

Salma didn't hesitate to reply him.

"That's the same thing I've always told you!" New set of tears gathered in her eyes. "I have lived in this city for nineteen years of my life and you believe I didn't think that through before taking the job?" she was nodding her head towards him demanding a reply.

"I know my city like the back of my palms, Ahmad-" Salma held her hand up in Ahmad's face before he interjected.

"You are more vulnerable Salma, you're an easy target." He took hold of her shoulders again, this time without shaking her figure.

Salma removed her husband's hands from her shoulders. "You haven't been here for up to a year but I," She pointed to the left side of her chest. "I was birthed here, grew up here and I shall die on this soil." Salma spat the words as if they were venomous to her mouth.

Before Ahmad could say anything, the blaring sound of the landline on the low table gained both of their attentions. "I'll be in the kitchen." Salma murmured as she made her way away from the tension filled atmosphere.

Ahmad advanced towards the landline and bent down before pulling the receiver to his ear.

"You have a collect call from Asad in the UAE. Do you accept the charges?" The almost robotic voice of the operator spoke.

Ahmad paused for a while to calculate the remaining money he had. It was unusual for his brother to call him as they normally communicated through letters. Asad only called his brother, when there was an urgent emergency.

"Yes." Ahmad replied before his brother's voice came through the receiver after a brief connecting sound. Anticipation made Ahmad's stomach churn as he thought of what the call would be about.

"Mama is really unwell Ahmad. Since you abruptly left, her condition has only been deteriorating." Asad got straight to the point without giving Salam to his brother like in his letters.

Everything around Ahmad paused for a while before resuming. "Please take care good care of her, I really cannot leave my love and return."

"You two should move back together then. This is absolute nonsense Ahmad! Absolute nonsense! You and I know that this makes no sense at all." The pitch of Asad's voice rose with anger.

"Salma is not willing to leave and I can't force her." His calm reply came creating a contrast.

"If mama loses her life because of your stupidity, I honestly won't forgive you Ahmad and Allah remains our witness!" The loud beep sound followed indicating that the call had been disconnected.

Ahmad slowly return the receiver to its position and forcefully dragged his heavy feet to his and Salma's small bedroom. Life was rapidly starting to dawn upon him. The sudden transition from luxury to misery haven shuffled countries was starting to take a huge toll on him and even his smile couldn't comfort him in this situation.