Deception.

Thirteen.

It's been three days but I still can't get that night's event out of my head. It felt weird:

I had woken up after turning and turning in bed, my bedroom door was wide open and from my bed I could see Zahhar's bedroom lights on so I got up to see if he was awake.

He and I have been sleeping in separate rooms for over a month now.

The door was wide open and he wasn't in.
"Ah!" I hear his voice coming from just down the stairs.

I slowly start walking down the long stair way, I could see him from a distance on his knees holding his head in agony.
  
I hurry down almost tripping but I stop, scared "Your voice—it's different" he says.
I couldn't see his face but he sounded confused.

"Saffiyya? What does it have to do with her?"

I froze.
What's going on with him?

"Zahhar?" I call him.
He raises his head, I still couldn't see his face.
"Who are you talking to?" I ask, my voice shaking.

He stands and almost falls but leans on the console.
I walk over and hold his hands "Let's go back upstairs".

He says nothing and just follows.
He just laid down staring at the ceiling.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
We were in his room, I sat across him on the couch just watching him.

He sits up, leaning his head on the headboard of the bed.
"I can't sleep"
"Should I get you something? Anything?"

He scoffs "I have insomnia".
I walk over and lie down beside him "Did you even try?"
"There's no point".

"Lie down and try it, it won't hurt to try it".
He looks at me uncomfortably.
"Come on"
"Fine" he lies down staring at the ceiling.
"Better".

Mood swings.
Insomnia.
Hallucinations.
Anger issues.

I don't want to ask Laura but I also don't want to sit and do nothing, what if it's his health?

:

I bring his drink.
"God! Abdulqadir told me he was here, I can't believe I got played" Mutassim complains. He's a doctor and also a dietitian.

I smile "Why? You always get someone to deliver his food, he won't eat mine, only yours".
He laughs "I'm his doctor, his dietitian and a concerned cousin so I'm just doing my job".

"Concerned cousin? Concerned about what?"
He smiles "What else if not his condition?"
I raise my eyebrows "What condition?"

He looks at me confused "You don't know?"
I shake my head.
"Well his health of course, he used to eat all kinds of food, whether it was healthy or not and that affected his body and even landed him in our hospital so since then I took it upon myself to make sure he eats right".

"Oh really?" I laugh.
"Yeah. Then I'll let you do you".

"Thank you, your approval makes me feel a lot better" he jokes.
"But don't you get tired being alone here? Doing nothing?"

I smile "I haven't even thought about it at all but staying home all day is energy consuming".
"I'm sure".

"I'll just talk to Zahhar about it"
"Yeah, anyway I have to get back to the hospital now".

I nod "Of course".

:

Zahhar's POV.

I came to see Ma, Farouq called telling me that she hasn't been feeling so well.

I enter the living room and find both he and Mutassim, discussing.
"I didn't know you'd be here" I say sitting across Mutassim.
"I called Farouq and he told me you'd be coming here".

I nod.
"You've been avoiding me, is it because you really plan on not taking your drugs or because you're feeling guilty for marrying a girl out of your own selfish interest".

I scoff "She doesn't care, all she cares about is my money and I give it to her, no matter the amount".
"Really? You do know islamically if you're marrying someone for any reason you have to tell them right? And you can only marry them when they agree to it".

I shake my head "It doesn't matter now".
"She needs you".

"And how would you know that?" I ask tilting my head.
"I saw her today, she seemed different".
"I'm going in to see Ma" I walk in.

I find her seated on her bed, using her rosary.
"You're awake?"
She smiles widely "I told Farouq to tell you I haven't been feeling well, I haven't seen you in a long time" she taps the space beside her on the carpet "Come sit next to me"

I sit.
"Ma, I was here just last week"
"You know my mind doesn't rest when I don't see you, I'm always worried".

"I'm fine"
"How's Saffiyya? I hope she's taking good care of you?"
I nod "Of course".

"But Zahhar, she doesn't seem like the type of woman you'd marry. I still wonder why you left Kauthar and married her instead".
"She's the one I was destined to marry".

She smiles "That's true".

:

Immediately I open the front door I see Saffiyya scrambling to her feet. She looked tired and sleepy.

"Where you waiting for me?"
She shakes her head "I slept off, I didn't even know when".

I nod, of course.
I start making my way out but she stands in my way.
"Saffiyya, not tonight. I'm in no mood for arguments".

"Maybe you should work less".
I look at her confused "What?"
"Maybe if you work less you'd get more sleep".

I smile "And where did you hear that? Google?"
She shakes her head "Abbi used to have insomnia back then too, it was because of stress and work load".

"Okay then" I walk past her.
"I made tea, it's good for insomnia. Ammi sent it".
I nod "Sure"

She was fidgeting.
She wants to say something and I know it's not related to the tea she brought because I've already gulped down the whole thing ages ago, I regret it though because it was scalding hot.

I close my work journal and turn to her.
We were both seated on the couch.
"Saffiyya? Is there something you want to say?" I ask.

She smiles nervously "Well I've been thinking".

"Yes"

"I want to start doing something"

"Something like what?"

"Work, I'm tired of always sitting home doing nothing, visiting friends, going shopping and all that. I want to work and earn my own money".

I have never been so shocked my whole life.
Did she say 'Earn My Own Money?'

"Don't look so surprised".
"But why? What made you think that?" I ask.
"The look you always give me each time you find me lazing around or when I come back from shopping".

I nod because I had no idea I do that.
"So what do you want to do?"
"I'm not sure yet but do you remember that mall I met you?"
I nod.

"Well there's a vacant store and I already talked with the owner about it".
"So how much cash do you need?"

"I already bought it, I also have my own cash".
Honestly I was impressed hearing this from her.

"Okay, we can go check it out on Monday".
"Thanks".

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