Walija was done setting the dining table when Fawwad walked in back from work. She was still contemplating whether it's a good idea to confront him about Salina. But then, his parents had confided in her and she can't just betray them after they have full hope in her. She never thought it'll be this hard. It won't do her good but she was ready to face whatever hardship that has to come after.

He walked in without even sparing her a glance. She ignored him too and continued with what she's doing. He went upstairs probably to freshen up and she just sat there in the sitting room waiting for him.

A few minutes later, he came down and sat on the dining table. She patiently waited for him to finish and she was lucky enough he came to the sitting room when he was done. He was just using his phone and totally ignoring her presence.

"How was work" she decided to initiate the convo because if it was left to him, that's how they would end the day without talking to each other.

"Fine" he answered almost like talking to himself. One thing about him, he might not talk to her but he can't ignore her when she talks to him.

The room was silent again before she finally spoke again.

"Can I ask you something?" She could feel her heartbeat going wild. She knew what will come next but she has to do it.

"What's it?" He furrowed his brows

It's now or never Walija

"Why did you choose to make your life like this?"

Oh come on, that's the lamest question to start with.

She mentally face palmed herself and waited for the worst.

"What?" he asked to make sure he heard her right.

"I mean...why do you drink? Don't you know it's... haram?"

"And when did things I do with my life became a subject of concern to you?" his voice was surprisingly calm but not until she said

"Is it because of Salina?"

"What!?" He abruptly got on his feet "How did you know about her? Do you stalk me?" He raged which made her shift out of fear. She has seen him angry many times but today it was something else.

"And that's none of your business" she found herself saying. For some odd reason, she became fearless.

"Wherever you heard about her, I don't freaking care, but let me make one thing clear to you; don't you ever talk about her again and I'm damn serious!"

"Is it because you loved her...and there was nothing you could do to have her?" She blurted out

He raised his hand to slap her but she held his hand just in time "don't you dare try it again, even in your wildest dreams Fawwad!" She said in between gritted teeth. She doesn't know what has gotten into her but she was happy to stand up for herself even though she was shaking with fear deep down.

"She's the only woman that I'll ever love!" he snatched his hand which made her flinch before he left. She heard the loud bang on his door and she knew she has gone too far.

She felt bad because that was totally not the way she should've done it and now she'd messed up everything.

I won't give up easily.

She packed the plates from the dining he previously used and went to the kitchen. After she was done cleaning, she decided to phone her mother.

They talked for some time and she also got to speak with her father too. Muhseen and Mubeen were at school, so they didn't get to speak. After talking with her family, she felt much better.

*****

A week later...

Everything was just messed up. She tried talking to him several times but he kept shutting her up. He even went to the extent of not eating her food anymore. He drinks more and always coming back home late.

She felt guilty for his worsen attitude because she knew it was all her fault. She made him remember his bitter past, but deep down she knew it was the right thing to do. She just kept praying because she strongly believes that one day, God will answer all her prayers, so she never loose hope.

*****

"Yes, come in" he answered before he looked up and saw Hussein coming into his office.

He just smiled and sat on the couch. Fawwad stood up and went to where he was sitting and sat beside him

"How are you feeling?" He asked as he gently hit his shoulder

"Ouch, that hurts" he let out a small laugh "Much better"

"You can still stay at home, it's fine if you want to"

Hussein was discharged from the hospital a few days back and was told to have some rest at home.

"I'm good and besides it's boring staying all alone at home" he smiled

"If you insist"

"So how's Walija?"

"Don't ask me" she shot him a deadly glare

"She's your wi-" he couldn't finish before he cut him off

"Hussein, please don't even go there. I'm not in the mood"

"What's wrong? You seem...lost" he just has to ask because from the way Fawwad was talking, he knew that something must be wrong.

He heaved a sigh and decided to let his friend in.

"Well I was at Apple Boulevard one night"

"Do you still go to that place?"

"Let's not talk about that now. I...I kinda lost my identity card there"

"Oh my God!... How did that happen?"

"I don't know" he rubbed his temple and continued "and now I've been receiving calls from an anonymous bitch threatening me"

"Language Fawwad language"

"Don't blame me" he shrugged "I don't even know the idiot's name!" He was frustrated

"Calm down and elaborate clearly"

"Okay..." He took a deep breath and told him everything that happened.

"What the fuck!" Was the first thing he said after hearing the full story.

"Language" and Fawwad laughed at his friend like he wasn't the one telling him 'language' just a minute ago and now he's doing the same thing.

"But seriously that bitch got some nerves"

"She disgust me" he hissed "I'm just confused...I...I don't even know what to do"

"We have to think ahead of them"

"Go on"

"Well, you see cases like this are very delicate and we have to handle it carefully. Those people are very dangerous"

"So, what do you suggest?"

"It's simple but it takes time"

"How long?"

"About six hundred hours"

"What!? That's precisely twenty-five freaking days! And the bitch gave me a week to decide. Damn it!" He stomped his foot

"That's why I told you to calm down. First ,we'll have to contact the credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert on your credit report"

"How will that help?" He asked confused

"The alert will prevent them from opening any new accounts in your name. Then we request for a copy of your credit report"

"Go on"

"We'll examine the report to see if there is any account in your name that you did not open. If there is none, then we proceed to place a credit report security freeze but..."

"Oh God! No buts please" he cut him off rubbing his head.

"There's a fee to freeze your credit report"

"You scared me" he let out a relieved sigh "I'll pay anything to stop those idiots from ruining me"

"That won't happen as long as I'm around" he smiled

"I trust you with that. Thanks, buddy"

They continued talking about random stuff before Hussein left as he has some unfinished work that needs to be done.

*****

After work, Fawwad was driving home but he was still confused.

how did she know about my past? Who could have told her about Salina?

He was just thinking about the possibilities when it hit him.

"Mami" he said out loud before he furiously made a turn and drove straight to their house.

*****

"Mami!! Mami!!" He yelled as he barged into the sitting room.

"What's it Fawwad?" she answered as she descended the spiral stairs.

"What the did you tell Walija!" He cheesed off

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't even look baffled Mami...you know what you did"

"Don't you dare raise your voice again. I'm still your mother!"

"But... Mami why? Why did you tell her?"

"She is your wife and she has the right to know whether you like it or not"

"But I don't consider her my wi-"

She raised her hand up indicating him to stop talking and he did. Just in time Maya walked into the room and went up to him.

"Ya Fawwad!" She made to hug him but he slightly pushed her away

"Just leave"

Her eyes suddenly became teary because he has never spoken to her like that before. She pouted before she ran up to her room crying.

He was fuming with anger and couldn't utter a word when he stormed out of the house.

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