Faryah

4.

---------------Indonesia, Palembang

---------------------- Night after the wedding

Everything about her screamed innocence. From her looks down to her quiet movements, I really, honestly couldn't believe that someone as beautiful as she was, was mute. She probably had the voice of an angel and the angels were jealous so they took it away from her, just saying. I tried being as nice as possible to her earlier today, GrandPa wanted me to and the glorious smile on her grandfathers face made me realise that it was worth it. The sacrifice was totally worth it.

"Khalid" Sophia called as she walked over to where I stood beside the car. Sophia was the child of my mother and Brandon, she was still in college, UCLA,  studying medicine. She looked a lot like my mother. She was beautiful, just like her. "Hey" I answered as she stood beside me. I was waiting for Faryah to say her good byes to her family members, we had an early flight tomorrow. "You were nice to her today, keep that up" I was rarely nice to outsiders, I couldn't trust anyone. "Well GrandPa wanted it, so here" I answered and ruffled her hair. I could be playful sometimes, but with the right people. " She's prettier than Pamela" she was at it again. Her and mother never liked Pamela, even for once.

I couldn't compare Pamela with anyone, I couldn't bring myself to ever stop loving her. " Stop that" I shot at her. " Does she even know that you're now a married man, she broke up with you?" She said while smirking evilly. I couldn't bring myself to talk to Pamela ever since my proposal went wrong. It's been a month and it was killing me. I badly wanted to hug her, kiss her, hear her voice, but I couldn't. " She doesn't know and remember what mother said, don't post any photos, or else I swear Sophia, I'll beat you" I shot back at her and sent her the stink eye. " What ever, we have a flight to catch, we'll see you guys tomorrow okay and please be nice to her Khalid, don't hurt her" Sophia pleaded. I didn't hurt women, intentionally. " sure, I'll treat her like a fragile foetus" she could understand that. It was one of the few things I knew in Biology. " Won't you go in and greet your in-laws?" she asked before she left and I rolled my eyes. I didn't want to pretend again, being nice to her was enough for grandpa. "Nope" I answered and watched her roll her eyes. " Khalid, come in here" I heard Mother call as she stood by the front door of their house. Their house was quite small, but it looked comfortable. I had to go in, I had to pretend again. " Here he is" Mother called as she literally pushed me into the house. " Masha Allah, he is so handsome" A woman that looked like she was in her early 40's said as she came over to cup my cheeks. She was too close to me. I felt welcome, her touch was like my mothers'.

I smiled at her genuinely and she smiled back, she was a beautiful woman and she looked quite similar to another feminine figure that was seated across from where I stood.  "Khalid, this is Faryahs' mother, Sumayyah and that's Faryahs' sister Firdaus" they both looked nothing like Faryah, she was completely different. "It's a pleasure to meet you all" I answered and smiled at them. " Oh my, he is so charming" Sumayyah complimented and laughed. " That's my son, you see Khalid, Faryahs' grandfather wants to see you two before you leave" a lecture. I nodded at them and I was led to another room.

The room was small, with a small bed by the side and a small mat on the floor. There was a small ceiling fan and a wardrobe in the room and that was it.

"Khalid just sit here, Faryah and her grandfather will soon be here" Mother said as I sat on the mat the centre of the room. " What are we talking about?" I asked mother. " I don't know son, and yeah, son, thank you for being nice to her, I really think you and her can.." I cut her off, she was like Sophia. They looked alike and thought alike. " Mother, I love Pamela, she's for me, we are meant to be, Faryah’s just pretty and looks nice" that was what I really thought about her. " oh come on son" mother rolled her and sighed.