Chapter 1
I hate you, do you understand me?” Nawal screamed, her voice piercing through the tense silence of the bedroom. “You burn my heart to ashes every single day by repeating the same things over and over! This marriage was forced upon me, and I refuse to accept it as real. Do you understand?!”
Wahaj stood completely still, staring at her in absolute silence.
Nawal paced the room, her eyes flashing with pure arrogance as she continued to lash out. “Have you ever even looked at your own face in a mirror? What makes you think you are anywhere near my level? Whether it is my neighborhood or my university, every single guy is crazy about me, do you understand that?!”
Wahaj clenched his fists tightly, suppressing the raw anger rising inside him. He forced himself to stay quiet, absorbing every cruel word she hurled at him. Without uttering a single syllable in response, he quietly turned around, opened the door, and walked out of the room.
He stepped out into the dark, quiet garden, desperately needing to escape. Pulling out a cigarette, he lit it and took a long, heavy drag. His mind was racing with a single, painful question: What on earth is wrong with me? . I have the power to bring every luxury in the world to her feet, yet nothing but poison ever spills from her mouth. Nawal, how do I ever make you believe just how deeply I love you?
He buried his face in his hands, completely lost in his agonizing thoughts. Suddenly, Sarah entered through the garden gate, holding the hand of her five-year-old daughter, Hadiya. Startled, Wahaj instantly hid the burning cigarette behind his back.
Trying to mask his distress with strict concern, Wahaj asked, “Sarah, if you needed something, you should have just told me or asked the driver! I tell you all the time to always come to me if you need anything. Why did you go out all by yourself?”
Sarah offered a gentle, reassuring smile to ease his tension. “It is really no big deal, Wahaj. I just went out for a bit to get some fresh air.”
“Whatever the reason, next time you either come with me or take the driver with you. Clear?” Wahaj insisted, his tone firm.
“Alright, fine... May I go inside now?” Sarah asked playfully. Then, her smile widened slightly as she looked at him. “By the way, I completely caught you smoking.”
Wahaj looked down, thoroughly embarrassed. “No... Sarah, it was just...”
“No excuses, Wahaj,” Sarah interrupted gently, her voice turning soft but serious. “If you turn to smoking over every little issue, God forbid, if something truly major happens tomorrow, I cannot even imagine what you might do.”
“Sarah, I just took a single puff to clear my head, that’s all...” Wahaj explained in a quiet, defeated voice.
“Well, whatever the reason, I better not catch you smoking ever again, okay?” Sarah scolded him lightly.
“I won’t,” Wahaj promised, looking away.
Little Hadiya tugged at her mother’s hand. “Come on, Mama, let’s go inside now.”
“Yes, Mama, I want to get my chocolate!” Hadiya insisted, pouting.
“Alright, let’s go inside and I will get it for you,” Sarah promised her daughter, and the two of them walked into the house.
Left alone once more, Wahaj threw the cigarette onto the ground, crushed it firmly under his shoe.....
To be continue........
