Saliha stopped doing her chores and pulled out the picture of Aabid from the pockets of her robe. She thought he was quite attractive, sitting on a light chair with a neutral look, wearing a suit and a red tie. As soon as she saw Zara arrive in the room, she hastily slipped the image back inside her pocket after letting out a shudder in recognition of her mounting apprehension.
As if she knew what Saliha was doing, she asked, "How many times do you have to oogle that photo?" She was now gazing at Saliha with a loathsome expression on her face. Saliha turned to face her while attempting to appear serene.
"What photo? I don't get what you mean."
She scoffed, hands on hips. "Nevermind. Anyway, will you escort me to collect my certificate? 10am this morning,"
"I mentioned I really want to. However, as you can see, I'm currently planning breakfast. Moreover, Zee, my head hurts so much." Saliha outlined. "I'm terribly sorry. I would like to, but my head is spinning so much." She did a temple rubdown. Zara didn't think she was real. Saliha was accurate in her statement though. She had a horrible headache when she woke up this morning, which worried her deeply; but she kept it a secret. Who would pay attention to her private cries?
She decided to go see the pharmacist instead. Saliha was well assured she was not a biological kid of ma'Amina like Jaya or Kareem. If it were them, then even the slightest ache or scrape would draw rapid attention from everyone, including Saliha herself.
"I can sense you're lying, you know that?"
Saliha let out a sigh, frustrated; and threw the towel to the ground.
"Lying? Seriously?" Her brows furrowed. "Why would I lie with such a severe headache? Why would I intentionally lie to you?" Saliha yelled. She was out of patience. Zara had not completed any of the bedroom tasks today; instead, she had.
Even though they employed housekeepers, they had rules about which areas they could access, especially their closets and showers. When it came to cooking, either ma'Amina or the two of them proceeded along with them and demonstrated how to make some cuisine. Saliha and a maid would periodically be given the total duty in the kitchen.
"What do you mean I specifically?" Zara snapped, "You are being very disrespectful."
"Disrespectful? You're the one who's not respectful,"
"Just pay attention to your speech. Attempting to imitate Americans," The intonation of Saliha made her frown. "Why should I respect you when you're a false, useless person?"
"What caused the unexpected rage?" Saliha hissed while she glared at Zara. "Why are you acting in this manner now? How did I treat you earlier this morning? Please don't bother me, for Allah's sake!"
She subsequently walked away from Zara and picked the towel off the ground. Zara grabbed Saliha's shoulders and spun her around, to which the latter froze. The picture she Saliha hid fell to the floor and remained still waiting to be scooped up by her delicate hands.
"You're pathetic." She smirked, her eyes still on Aabid's photo.
"You're so so pathetic. You think this whole thing is gonna end up well? No it's not. Because it's going to be cancelled now or later. You're below his standards you little good-for-nothing pauper." She spat the words on Saliha's face with full vengeance.
Saliha felt as though she had lost all sense of honor as she stood there, humiliated. She was still standing close to the rigid mahogany table she had been scrubbing before Zara hurriedly departed. Her eyes began to well up with tears, and the air seemed chilly to feel. She humbly bowed to pick up the photo and put it back in her pocket.
"Dear God, end this please..." she whispered, as she suppressed a sob. Gasping for air, she swallowed her grief and continued cleaning the table; then proceeded to wipe and polish the vases with a soft cloth. Her hands quickly wiped her eyes properly when a maid walked in with disinfectants.
"Ma'Hanan seni arıyor, (Ma'Hanan is calling for you)" the maid informed, handing Saliha a napkin to clean her hands.
---
His eyes weakly opened, and the first thing they looked at were the blinds, which were trying to block out the sun that was glaring through the window. He dragged his body sluggishly to sit upright on the bed due to ache in his forehead and stomach. He glanced at the side table-mounted clock and realized it was time to get ready for work.
Aabid breathed out, attempting to release the tension that had built up inside him throughout the previous night. He turned his head to both sides while giving his neck a gentle massage with his rough palm before slowly approaching his shoulders.
He yawned and got out of bed, thinking that at least the bid had been successful. He was severely depleted by the lychee cocktail he consumed the previous evening. He is quickly intoxicated and even a small amount of fruit wine was enough to make him lose his sharp sense. Nevertheless, he kept his composure, showed up to the event, and won the auction. He was sure his father would have greater faith in his abilities now that their shares had somewhat grown.
Little Zayn, who had custard all over his mouth, welcomed him as he descended the stairs. Due to his severe cold, Zayn had not gone to school with his siblings.
"How are you feeling today?" Make sure you take your medicine on time and eat well. Okay?" Aabid advised, reaching for the boy's chin. A nod from the boy and Aabid walked to the dining area to greet Ma'Naima.
"Peace be upon you, and good morning too. Mami how are you doing today?" Aabid greeted with a smile stamped on his face. She smiled back and answered the greeting, busy with serving the biryani on the plate. Ma'Naima was Arab-Turkish, but she had instead friended many Pakistanis even online and learned to cook their food. In addition, she learnt to speak Urdu a little.
"I cannot eat today. I am late for work!"
"Silly work! Aabid, you have to eat." Came the reply. Her eyebrows arched, and mouth almost pouting, she dragged him on the chair and placed the food in front of him. Noticing his chapped lips, "Aabid, you are not drinking enough water. You have to eat well and drink well. You are going to be a groom soon!"
Aabid smiled faintly. "I do drink water. But I swear, I'm not feeling hungry now,"
"Eat." She stated, pouring lychee juice into the cup. Aabid swallowed and turned his head away from the juice's fragrance. After drinking lychee wine yesterday, he immediately developed a dislike for everything that included lychee. She dragged her chair closer to him and said, "Okay, I will feed you now!"
"Nah, mami you don't have to... you really don-"
She interrupted him by offering the food to his mouth. Once the rice hit his lips, Aabid gave up and opened his mouth, swallowing the food.
"Ma... i'll be late for work if I keep this up,"
Just look at you, she said, beaming. She smiled and gave him a lovely look, "Workaholic son of the president."
Aabid was overcome with emotion. Only ma'Naima has ever fed him in that manner, even after he became ill and needed appendix surgery four years ago. He detested eating, yet he had to take care of himself to restore his strength. With that motherly approach, he suddenly felt like a lonely, wretched guy. He felt unloved, unwanted, and pitiful. As usual, anytime he felt upset, he would start to feel angry with his birth mother and begin to contemplate where she was. Why would she abandon him in such a way? Why didn't she approach him? His eyes welled up and he quickly stood up, turning around so ma'Naima could not see his face. She felt something was wrong.
"Son what happened?" she also stood, looking puzzled for his sudden reaction.
"No-no its nothing. I just remembered something important I haven't done at work. I have to go now," he urgently stammered in a weak tone. Grabbing a tissue, he quickly made his way to the exit.