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I woke up fairly early that morning. My watch read half five. I'm sure no one would be awake, so it was the perfect time to leave. I refreshed myself and fixed my hijab before speed walking out of the room. It didn't take long to figure out where the exit was. I was almost close. So close to the door that it made me rethink how locating the exit was so easy. Something must go wrong, that's for sure.

And of course it did, like always.

"Good morning, wifey" his cologne reached me before his voice, which seemed to drawl out in the morning silence.

I shut my eyes closed, hoping that this anger of mine would die down. But it didn't. I twisted the door knob, hoping for it to open, but none of that happened.

I didn't realise when he'd walked so close, especially since his voice had called out from afar. He pushed me around and against the door, his vast frame looming over me. I looked up into his eyes this time, making sure he could see just how annoyed I was right now.

"Let me go" I said surprisingly calm.

He tutted, leaning down. I moved my head to the side, not liking our close proximity. His hand reached out to jut my chin towards the centre, but my refusal to tear my gaze away from the side angered him. His actions became more violent, as his fingers encircled around my mouth, holding it in a tight grip. My lips puckered up in an alarmed yet embarrassing pout, I'm presuming.

Something passed between his eyes. Something akin to lust? before they returned back to their hardened gaze.

"Now listen to me closely, and listen well" he began, glowering down at my scared frame. "You will behave as I expect you to. Now that you're my fiance, thanks to your parents acceptance, I will not tolerate such bratty attitude from you. Understood?" I didn't understand because I wasn't his fiance. I would never accept such a nightmare.

But my silence seemed to tick him off as his grip tightened on my jaw. Tears escaped my eyes from such a fate I had. He seemed unbothered because all he was looking for was my submissiveness. And so I served it on a silver platter by mumbling a yes.

"What did you say" he shook my head along with the words. A tear escaped my eyes, landing on his index finger.

"Yes"

"Good" He let go causing my head to bang against the door. I wanted out. "You may go now" and out I got. I ran fast from this terror. If Mohammed Farah was here, he'd have nothing on me. My legs carried me to the nearest bus station and I got on the bus without even checking where the destination was. I hoped it was home. But my hopes were always met with a blank wall.

A couple of hours had passed from the incident this morning. I tried to shake off the jittery feeling, but nothing worked. According to Marissa, my mood was not like it usually was, and true to her words, I was a snapping turtle towards everyone I met.

One of the patients, bless her, asked for me to get her some milk. By the time I got back, another patient apparently didn't want theirs and had given it to the women. I was annoyed. Usually I would have shook this off, but not today. Satan chose me as his little evil spreader and that's exactly what I became.

"For any future references, please do refrain from ordering others about, to supply you with liquids" I ended promptly, also wanting to add, I work here as a student doctor, not a dinner lady and also that you were going to be discharged today so you might aswell have gotten the milk yourself. But I refrained myself.

Poor women looked at me like I'd grown two heads. Thankfully she was discharged within the hour and I didn't have to embarrass myself by meeting eyes with her. Whatever, right now, I had much greater things to be stressing over.

It was soon the end of the day, and I was dreading my parents phone call. Mama said she would call regarding my father's decision about this entire marriage, and by the looks of it, he would reject it.

I mean he had to! There was no way in hell he would accept Rafael as his son in law, especially when I was only in my first year of university. And he was a Mafia leader, but they didn't know that. And would probably never know that. Rafael would make sure of it.

But the dreaded phone call came, as the bell rang out into the air, taunting me for thinking otherwise. I picked up the call, sitting outside the hospital with my coat on me. A few patients were discharged, as their family members came to pick them up. I looked away from them, seemingly finding the chipped skin around my nails so much more fascinating. Because why not pick on it when you're already more stressed.

"Assalamualaikum" my low voice bit out into the harsh cold, a tense atmosphere playing about.

"What is this I'm hearing Laila?" Father questioned straight to the point. My heart dropped to the coldest pitts of hell. Suddenly, I found myself tongue tied. No longer did I have the answer that was situated ontop my tongue since last night. No longer did I want to ever go back home. To face their face and willingly allow them to proceed with their blessings for this marriage. I didn't want such a life. Such a damned fate.

Was it too much to ask for peace, God?

"I-im s-sorry baba" I found myself saying instead. I'm sorry for putting your lives on the line. I'm sorry for all that I've done. I'm just sorry. And tired. Of all this.

"I'm gravely disappointed in you" just like I expected, and I'm glad he was. He had all the reasons in the world to be. "Had it not been for your course, I'd have you back home this instant. And as for the man your mother was talking about, I want to see him too" he said in a calm manner, much to my surprise.

A tear escaped my eye, as I sucked In a breath, finding the words to reply back with.

"Okay" was all I came up with. The litte hope I had shattered before my eyes, as my father sealed the deal.

"Good. Until then, I want you to focus on your work and studies and nothing more than that" he exclaimed, but I picked up the warning behind those words. Don't hang around Rafael until you come back home.

"Okay"

"We'll talk later then, Laila. Allah hafiz"

"Khuda hafiz" and the phone call ended. So this was it? My cage had been sealed and locked? Would I be able to breath if my father rejected the proposal? I didn't want to face the answer but it was in my mind. The word haunted me. No loopholes would work on this plan of the demons. He was smart about this, and had me and my entire family exactly where he wanted.

If the demon found out my father refused, all hell would break loose. The Mukhtars would be targeted first and foremost and then my parents back home. Ya Allah, what is this test you've put me through?

Suddenly my phone ring shrilled in the gloomy night. Without checking who the caller was, I answered back half-heartedly.

"Hello" my vice rasped out, as I prevented myself from sobbing aloud. There were still people around and I didn't want their pity. I'd never want their pity.

"Hola. Seems like you had a good talk with my father in-law" Rafael's words paralysed me momentarily. I was shook out of my depressed state, as I looked around me, wondering from where he was spying on me.

"You can stop looking for me, dear. I'm away right now, so don't stress yourself too much" I could practically feel the arrogance oozing off of his statement. Gosh, I hate this man.

"H-how do you know?" I wiped the few lingering tears from my face, sniffling quietly.

"Because I know you" he expressed so simply, yet the meaning behind those words signified something much deeper.

"If that's all, I need to go" I didn't really need to go anywhere. I just wanted to sit alone somewhere and scream till my throat was aching and my chest was heaving.

"As you say wifey. Ciao" my reply was a curt ending of the call. I put away my phone in my pocket and walked to the bus station. From there, it took a five minute walk back to the Mukhtars residence. Sajdah opened the door for me smiling as she did so. I smiled back to my full capacity before ruffling her hair a bit. Just to annoy her. And take my mind elsewhere from these depressing thoughts.

She groaned, attempting to pat down the few pieces that decided to defy gravity. I giggled a bit at the scene, as we both walked towards the kitchen, where Lameesa was busy mixing the salad she'd made. She wished me peace as soon as her eyes landed on me. I reciprocated the act and began helping her, much to her dismay.

"Tsk tsk tsk" she clicked her tongue in negative. "Laila, go freshen up and then you can come help me. Yalla" but I was equally as stubborn as I gently shoved her away with a curt swing of my hips. She was annoyed momentarily before sighing.

"Ill let you off this time, Laila. Next time don't interrupt me!" She mocked. I stuck my tongue out as to say whatever, before returning to the salad. I cut some carrots and added those to the mix, alongside some sweet corn. There that should do it.

"Bring everything inside girls and then we'll eat. Lemme just call mama and baba downstairs" Lameesa hurriedly said before yelling for her parents to come. She looked sheepish as she returned back to the kitchen, finding out her parents were downstairs all along. Me and Sajdah chuckled quietly, walking with food in our hands to the room.

"Yeah yeah, laugh all you want" this time it was her turn to stick her tongue out, as we went past her. Me and Sajdah looked at eachother simultaneously, both attempting to hide our grins, but failing miserably. A message was passed between us. Sucker.

Soon, everyone was gathered around the table and they all looked content with the food placed before them. Mamas words were nipping away at my brain, as I had to tell everyone here of the demons sudden plan. But thing is, how would I do that? How would I answer these questions?

I didn't want to spoil the mood, but rather be apart of it, laughing and joking, but all I could offer was a weak smile and a few comments here and there.

Taking in a deep breath, I spoke out into the silence.

"I need to tell you all something" judging by my serious tone, everyone stopped what they were doing. Well almost everyone. Lameesa was too busy eating, but I could tell she was listening intently, thanks to the small pause, before she resumed eating the spoonful of rice.

"Is everything okay Habibti?" Auntie stated, worry marring her beautiful features. I nodded quickly, wanting to get the words out as quickly as possible. Her face rested with the news, as she looked at me expectantly.

I heaved a deep breath before rushing out. "I'm soon to be engaged" looking around, no one reacted. Weren't they supposed to be happy? Even if I felt like the world was placed on my shoulders, I didn't expect this reaction. Deep down I was happy. At least they didn't take this situation as lightly as mama.

"I'm sorry Laila" Auntie began once more, "but we didn't understand one thing you said. Dear, speak slowly this time, and don't rush your words habibti, take it slowly" her comforting voice encouraged me to reveal the words once more. I looked at everyone in the eyes, as they looked back, eager to decode what I had said.

"I-im" I paused, looking at them once again before looking down at the table. "I-im soon to be engaged" there was a long pause. And I was too embarrassed to look up and meet their questioning gaze.

"What?!" Lameesa shrieked, causing me to look up at her in alarm. She stood from her seat, her action so fierce that the chair fell down behind her. But she could care less as she walked around the table and cupped my face between her hands.

"Really?" Her eyes were bright with tears, causing some to form in my own. Of course not from happiness, but from a sea of pain.

"Eeee!" She shrieked hugging me with so much force I was taken aback. I returned the hug, wanting to be held like this forever. In comfort.

"L-laila? Are you telling the truth?" Was the first thing Auntie said. I nodded my head, pulling away from Lameesa, who held my hand in her own clasped hands. She beamed a bright smile at me, getting up and standing before me. Lameesa moved back as I stood up out of respect and hugged the mother like figure. I relished In her touch, before she pulled away, holding me by the shoulders.

"Alhamdulillah. Congratulations daughter. I'm so happy for you. Oh we'll have so much fun planning your wedding" I attempted at smiling, hoping it looked no less than that.

"Yeah!" Kira chimed in, jumping up and down in her seat. Their happiness should have been contagious, had this been under other circumstances. Had this marriage been a result of happiness and willingness. But that was of course too much to ask.

"Mubarak, my daughter" Uncle raised his hand and patted my head out of respect. "It brings me deep joy to hear one of my daughters is to be engaged. Alhamdulillah" he raised his hands upto the sky, offering a small prayer and blowing it into his palms. I smiled at his actions.

"Thank you, uncle" I grinned back at my second father figure. His eyes held pride, despite not being related to me by blood, he seemed to be happy for me just like he would have been for his own daughters.

The dinner flew by in a series of laughter and excitement around my engagement. All I wanted to do was eat my food and cry in my room, because I was doomed. Soon, the dinner ended after ten minutes and I couldn't have been more happier.

I felt really bad for not supporting the Mukhtars in their happiness for my future, but I just couldn't bring myself to it. I drowned myself in washing the dishes and once that was done, I dried them. And after that, I put them all away in their places.

"Laila, honey, what is this?" Auntie chided seeing me put away the last of the dishes we used. "Please, for Allah's sake leave this daughter. Now get off the floor and up into your room-No!" She exclaimed when she saw me turn towards the countertop, in reach for the bowls which still needed to placed away.

"Ah ah, not on my watch. What did I say, get off and go to your room Habibti, I'll handle the rest" she ushered me out, forcefully taking the dishes from my hand whilst simultaneously pushing me out the kitchen. Kira giggled on, also joining forces with her mother to have me out the kitchen.

"Go, go!" She screamed, as if there was a fire. "We'll handle the rest not like you left anything for us to do" she added in as an after thought. Deciding that they'd been begging for quite a while now, I surrendered my arms in the air, turning on my heels and walking up the stairs.

"Okay okay, I'll go" I mumbled, holding back my grin. But that soon faded once my mind racked with the thought of this marriage. I no longer felt like doing mundane things. I just wanted to curl up in bed and rid these thoughts, wishing I'd wake up only to realise all of this had been a nightmare thus far.

But of course, beggars can't be choosers.

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