Bound by Love in Arranged Marriage

F A R A H

I woke with a neck pain due to uncomfortable position I slept in. checking the time on my phone showing 7:00am  I miss fajr prayer.

I made my way towards the bathroom, glancing at the now empty bed.  Last night event ran through my mind. I felt  something warm dropping from  my eyes, I wiped it off not wanting to remember his words but  my mind keep recalling it.

This marriage means nothing to me

After spending almost fifteen minute sitting on one position, I managed to take my bathe. I felt much better; I prayed salatul fajr which I missed.

I went  down to greet my in-laws, aunt Khadija and uncle Abdallah are seated across each other while Jawad is seated in one of the chairs beside uncle. His face shows nothing just blank.

“Good morning aunt”

“Good morning Uncle” I greeted them trekking to the dinning.

“Morning Farah, you can call me Mom, get sited” she said.

I glance at jawad whose eyes is on me indicating me to act normal like he cares.

“Here” Aunt placed two toasted bread with scrambled egg on a clean plate, pushing it to my side.

We ate breakfast quietly, without much conversation. I took the plates to the kitchen, even though Aunt insist I  leave it the maids will take it but I still insist. The kitchen is very big; it’s even bigger than my room.

After helping the maid Ms Fatima, from what Aunt Khadija told me, that she had been working for them for so long, she doesn't have a child and her husband passed away 2years ago. The moment I met the woman i like her.

Washing my hands, i went up to our room, I'm not sure if i should call it our room after what Jawad confessed yesterday. He was seated on his bed as he claimed With his laptop, even though we've been given 1week off work but he's still working. I rolled my eyes walking to the closet taking out a simple dress,  I was just about to enter the bathroom when his voice resonate to my ear.

“Mom and dad are leaving today” he stated without looking up. I felt my heart radiate in my chest.

“Okay” I muttered

Closing the bathroom door behind me, I watched my reflection in the mirror Aunt and uncle are leaving which means we will be left alone in the house, Me and him.

As I changed out of my clothes into a new one, Jawad is nowhere to be seen. As if  Speaking of him, he popped  his head through the door making my heart skips a bit.

“Come down mom and dad are leaving” just one sentence and he closed the door leaving me to my thoughts.

After bidding them farewell I felt alone. I wished they stayed for a while but uncle has some work so they can't stay longer.

**

I was sitting in the living having nothing to do, and jawad was busy with work. He's such a workaholic. My mind wandered to all the event, should I have not agreed to this marriage, even after hearing jawad bitter confession, I still had hope. Even if he had his reason for which I didn't know about, he will at least respect me, or maybe that is what I think. I tried assuring myself that it's too early to regret my decision. We just got married yesterday. I made my way to the kitchen to help Aunt Fatima so that I can take off my mind from unnecessary thinking but upon reaching the kitchen Aunt was already through with her work, the remaining work is to just wash the plates that was being used in the morning.

“Aunt Fatima let me help” I began readjusting my veil.

“No it's okay Farah, I'm almost through, the plates are not much.” she explained offering me a smile.

“I insist, besides I love working in the kitchen” a smile made it way out of my lips, remembering how I used to help mom during the weekends while Yasmin will be either watching movies or doing something else. I really miss them.

“Farah” I heard Aunt faint voice, getting me out of my trance.

“Yes Aunt, please let me” I pleaded. she let out a sigh.

“Okay since you insist, I will let you but just for today” I chuckle at her words. I know that isn't happening, I will help her in any possible way.

After I'm done washing the plates, placing them in their rightful place, i decided to explore around. Climbing upstair, I look left and right deciding which side to start and my mind lead me to the right side.

I walked through the hall admiring the surrounding with wallpapers hung on the large wall with Arabic writings on them, each with its own meaning. I came across a door 'library' written on it, a smile made its way to my lips. Reading book is my second hobby. I love reading because it makes me forget all my worries. holding the knob, I pulled it open, my mouth hung open seeing the huge room filled with bunch of books. I closed the door quietly behind me, walking slowly through the shelf each shelf were numbered. It seems like it's been long since they last use the library by how dusty it looked.

My mouth forms a thin line this will be my resting place. Not knowing that by entering this room I've gotten myself into trouble.

There are lot of books to choose from. My eyes catches one with the name 'The shy girl: A Muslim story' I flipped open the front page reading through, the book seems interesting. Keeping it aside, I scan through other books, coming across one with Jawad written boldly on the cover. it looked like a diary. Curiosity got me and I find myself turning over the first page Jawad mustafa written on the first page, my brows furrowed in confusion. Why is it jawad Mustafa instead of jawad Abdallah I was about to open the next page when a loud noise resonate through the room making me flinch back in surprise. My eyes met with an angry one. At that moment I knew I was in  big trouble.

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