LAYLA

Chapter Nine

Amina is coming over today and I'm super excited. I cleaned the house earlier, Zayyad should be at the gym right now, so I'm preparing breakfast and some snacks for when Amina come over.

The door opens and I rush out to see who it is even though I already know who it will be. Amina would have knocked, he didn't need to.

When I came down this morning I didn't see him around so i greeted him, "hi, good morning, breakfast should be ready in ten, clean up and come down, I'll soon be done"

"Will do"he mumbled and left. What's his problem with giving mixed signals, he's was very nice to me but few days after my MP incident he started acting differently.

He even slept in my room once but left before I woke up and we both pretended like nothing happened, i should talk to him, if something is wrong we can fix it, I finished up with breakfast and served him, but didn't join him, I went back into the kitchen, ate there and finished up with what I was doing in the kitchen.

I went upstairs to clean myself up,and throw on something comfy. I stepped out of my room, making my way downstairs but noticed that the balcony door is open so I went to close it, i noticed Zayyad standing by the the balcony, his back was to me but I could sense that something wasn't right with him. He was either angry or sad. I just stood there watching him, observing him, he wasn't angry, he was sad.

I stepped closer and placed my hand on his shoulder, he didn't look back, I stepped around him and stood in front of him, his eyes was closed, "hey, what's wrong with you", i whispered,

He opened his eyes, and i almost flinched at what i saw, almost. The emotion in his eyes was so raw, the pain, the sadness, he looked... broken. What would have upset him this badly, i can't believe I was bitching about him ignoring me, I didn't even notice that something was up with him, i just made everything about me. Even though we aren't lovers, I'm not meeting my responsibilities as his wife, and I think I can start that now. I just hope it's not too late. I cupped his face with my palm, but he dropped my hand and looked away.

"I-im fi-ine"his voice broke and that broke me. That must be the most heart wrenching sound to ever hear from someone.

I stopped him, "you don't need to explain anything to me"I was looking into his eyes, our hands entwined, "but just please, stop pushing me away"I whispered,"stop avoiding me, we can get through this together, whatever you are going through",

He hugged me, "you are too good for me and I'm not even treating you right" he pulled back and placed both of his hands on my shoulders, "I'll handle it myself" he slipped his hand out of mine, stepping around me to leave, i grabbed his wrist and yanked him back, suprising myself.

I wrapped my hands around his waist, and layed my head on his chest"Zayyad, i'm ride or die, all the way, till death do us path"I breathed, i looked up at him and he had this look I couldn't decipher, "we are going to get over whatever you are going through, together, Cuz I'm in this with you now, there's no going back "I hugged him again before releasing him and going to check if everything I prepared for Amina's visit is good.

In less than 15 minutes,someone was knocking on the door,I raced to get it. I didn't even get to open the door properly before she jumped on me, screaming my name.

I laughed hugging her tightly" yeah,that's my psychotic sister"

"I can't believe I missed your controlling a*s,forget about that,how's things going with that hottie you are married to" she said wriggling her brows,a silly grin adorning her face.

"I thought you would have had small sense by now, you are still outside and you already want gist" I said pulling her inside,

Zayyad came downstairs as soon as we got into the living room, he had this million dollar smile on his face,which contrasted to how he looked earlier but I knew better. It didn't reach his eyes,his dimples were showing but the crinkle that appears by his eyes anytime he laughs or smiles genuinely wasn't visible.

I saddened at this thought,I though he was happy but since we've been together he has just been putting on a facade,letting me see only what he wants me to see. How was I so clueless. I was ready for this marriage but he wasn't, he had his own life,living comfortably before the wedding crashed it for him. I'm so dumb,why didn't I think of this earlier,I'll have to find time to talk to him.

I was snapped out of my train of thoughts when Zayyad was going upstairs saying something about leaving us ladies to catch up.

"Woah, I can't believe your luck,I mean look at this house,it's perfect" she gushed,she's so dramatic I thought to myself.

"The perks of having an interior designer as a husband"

"So that's what he does, just show me around the house,I want to see your room" she turned to me that mischievous smile back on her face again"o...r do you guys share a room" she said dragging the "or".

I just walked passed her,shaking my head,"you are just something else and I'm not discussing my love life or rather my nonexistent love life with you"I stopped and looked back to see if she was trailing behind but she just stood there a wide grin on her face. I went back and dragged her," common let me show you around ".

But she didn't let me be, she kept asking about Zayyad, and if we really haven't starting liking each other. We are sitted on my bed right now eating samosa," OK I get that you just like him normally but how's the s*x,is he good,how was it"

My eyes bulged out of it's socket and I shrieked her name "Amina, what's your problem"

"What" she screamed too throwing her hands above her head "I'm just curious" she said lowering her voice"but I'm serious,no one else can tell me,how was it"

I sighed"we haven't done anything yet,we are taking things slowly,getting to know each other"

"Pfft,the guy is just slow jare, if I were a guy,you'll be begging me after a week for some" she said snapping her fingers,a smirk on her face.

I took a pillow and smacked her on the head"hey, what was that for, I was just stating the fact"she whined,rubbing the place I hit her,I know it didn't really hurt,but like i said,she's a major drama queen.

"Do you guys ever fight,and since your wedding with him was sudden, does he have someone else" she asked,

"Amina I don't know fah, no we don't fight but he's been avoiding me this past few days, and if he has someone he was already into before we got married,I really don't mind,he has four chances,I expected this when I requested for an arranged marriage, I was prepared for it,all he has to do is tell me,the only place we might have a problem is if he is just messing with some girl just for fun and I'm here hanging,now that's where the problem will arise" I rambled,

"But I don't think he has a girl though,I mean I asked once and he avoided the question so I didn't ask again,but we've been married for 5 months now and I haven't noticed any strange behaviors, but I do think he has a past he's dealing with" I continued,emphasizing on the "but".

" well that's a mouth full, all I know is that,Layla,it may have not been a love marriage or even a planned one but you are still his wife and he is your husband,you guys have responsibilities towards each other,if you think anything is wrong talk to him,if he is avoiding you confront him,barge into his room and ask for answers cuz you have the right,if he's going through something kiss him senseless and make him forget, stop being a prude,he's yours now,you are his now,he can't go celibate just because he has to be loyal,if he's cheating, Darling it's your fault" she finished and took a breath

"Wow girl,you do know your thing" I told her, smiling,

"Why,thank you. I do try" she said with a proud look on her face,she picked up her glass of juice and took a sip,then looked at me, we both burst into a fit of laughter.