Chapter 15

The next week, Mujahid was on his first date with Nadia. He has never been excited about going out with someone till he met Nadia. She was a no nonsense woman. An independent, rich, sexy and classy woman, just the lady he wanted. He has met women more sexier, more classier and richer than her but he has never met someone so beautiful with great attitude like hers.

"Remember that day, when I winked at you for the first time. And you shot back a smile which changed my life. You know I've been trying so hard to let go of these tragic moments, but it just does not happen. God help me, I'm in love." He spoke dramatically to impress her. Nadia chuckled and shook her head. "I was afraid you wouldn't call me," he added. 

"There you finally found me! What was your second wish?" They both laughed for a bit. "I would love to help you to fill the gaps between your fingers, with mine," She spoke shamelessly. He grabbed her hand and showered it with kisses while she giggled. That is the woman he wanted; so carefree and cheesy. 

"So, I would like to know about you Miss Nadia," he spoke letting go of her soft hand, not because he wanted to. "Well my Name is Nadia Abdulrahim as I told you. I'm twenty five. I'm from Bauchi but my mother is from Somali...."

'That explains why she's so beautiful' he thought as he listened to her. "I am a successful fashion designer. I have my boutique in Abuja and also here in Bauchi. I live with my mother and baby brother because my father has past away when I was fifteen years...." she trailed off. "I'm deeply sorry about your lost, Nadia." His husky voice excited her. She nodded and smiled. 

"Well my Name is Mujahid Muhammad, I'm an architect. I work at Intern Architect/Architect (Highrise Architecture) in Canada. And well I'm thirty, looking for a wife but I think I've found one." She blushed when he winked at her.

His phone vibrated, interrupting their staring contest. He sighed looking at his screen. "What's wrong?" She asked. He shook her head and smiled, "it's just my brother." He lied. Before Maryam could call again, he turned off the phone and concentrated on knowing more about his fated maiden. 

It was a romantic and fun date. He took her home with the promise to call her the next day. He had finally found the one. He was willing to stop all his bad manners and settle down after he was done with Maryam. 

Mahmud shook his head as he drove to Maryam's house to warn her about his brother. He was sure she wouldn't listen to him but he was still going to try convincing her.

He parked his car outside the house and entered. The moment he reached the door, he felt terrified of what she might do or how she'd react. He rang the door bell praying no one would answer so he'd turn and leave but unluckily, she was the one that opened the door. Her eyes widened but she rolled her eyes and turned. 

Without saying anything to each other, they walked into the living room. "I know you're mad at me for what I did and I'm deeply sorry. Even if you're not ready to forgive me, that's fine. But just know that I'm always here whenever you need me!" 

Her arms on her chest while she stared at a different direction. Somehow she felt guilty for what she did to him. She might overreact but what he did was totally unacceptable to her. "What actually brought me here is to warn you about my brother...." 

"Just hold it right there!" She rudely interrupted. "What do you have to tell me? After lying to me, getting me in trouble and using me!" 

"Manha, I'm sorry I lied to you but I swear I did not mean to kiss you on purpose, please. I'm deeply sorry for what I did! You're really hurting me Manha...." he heart was aching while his throat burned. He was very frustrated with what she was doing to him. "Just listen to this, I know Mujahid is my brother but I care about you more. By Allah Mujahid is just playing with your heart, he already has a girlfriend which I'm very sure he's serious about. If you don't believe me, call him now and ask for yourself. I just saw them few moments ago at a restaurant...."

"Mahmud that is enough. What's your business with what goes on in my relationship huh? Can't you just.... stay away from me and mind your business? You're so angry with me that it has reached to the extent of accusing my boyfriend? I will prove you wrong!" She hissed and furiously took her phone and dialed on Mujahid's number. Two rings and he picked up. "Babe, I am just at your gate. Sorry you called I was with my father talking about you." 

She sent daggers his way as she replied Mujahid before cutting the call. The moment Mujahid came in and saw them together, his heart skipped a bit but he shrugged and asked what was going on.

"This is going to be the last time I'm going to tell you this; stay away from me, you have no business with whatsoever happens in my relationship and forget you ever knew me!" Words flew from her mouth that she never thought she'd even think, let alone say out loud. She knew instantly from the look in his eyes that they'd hit their mark. In that instant their relationship shattered into glassy shards. Nothing would ever be the same again. 

"Manha," he slowly called. "It's me, Your Mahmud..."

"The only man she has in her life is me, so please correct your words and stick it in your idiot brain that she doesn't need you anymore," Mujahid nonchalantly spoke, while adjusting his blazer. Mahmud massaged the bridge of his nose as he controlled his temper from punching his brother in the throat. 

He walked away without giving her another glance. He knew things were going to be bad but he never thought it would be that complicated. He observed that when Maryam loves someone, she can't hide or control it. He believed that she didn't mean any word she said, love has completely blinded her but he was still going to grant her her wishes by staying away and moving on. 

Mujahid looked at her and gave her a beautiful smile. He gently grabbed her shoulders and moved her closer, "look babe, don't ever believe what they tell you! You're the only one I desire and we are going to get married, okay?" She heaved a sigh and nodded, looking into his eyes. "Now, you go rest uhm? And we would hangout tomorrow all day?" She gently nodded smiling. 

His lips alight on hers like a dew freckled petal caught in a breeze, so soft and with the smallest hint of coolness. He moved back and beamed. "I love you wholeheartedly," he whispered against her lips. "I love you more," she whispered back cheerfully.

••

"Hmm! Well in that case, I think this is the time you officially let go of her. If she's meant to be yours, nothing will stop her from coming back to you so calm down and always pray! Allah is always with us, don't forget." 

Mahmud kept mute, listening to what Ahmad's advice. At that moment he was infuriated and perplexed. He was angry that his brother was surely going to hurt her and confused that Maryam said hurtful words to him. He chuckled and shook his head. 

"When are we leaving again?" He asked, trying to lighten up the atmosphere. "Uh.... next week," Ahmad replied going through his iPad. "Well.... I don't think I'm coming back when we leave," he spoke grabbing a bottle of water from Ahmad's fridge. "What? Why? It has reached to that extent? Common man you're sounding depressed!" Ahmad scold him. "I am depressed, so if I leave the country for like a year I know I'll definitely move on," he explained. 

"Just don't worry, I know exactly what I'm doing," he added. Ahmad shook his head, not convinced but he decided to let go because he knew mahmud wasn't going to change his mind about what he's planning to do.

Whenever he remembers, It hits him hard. Her words like nails and hammers breaking his heart apart. The first day didn't even feel real. A nightmare come true, maybe. He found himself waiting to wake up. But that never happened. He cried out to his God, wondering how it was possible for her to inflict so much pain inside his chest. He was alone now. Completely, utterly alone, without her to comfort him. 

Who will wipe away his tears now? Who will cheer him up now? Who will love him and take care of him? Who will tell him they love him and call him handsome like she always did? Not her. Not anyone anymore. He now lack that someone who had been with him for over 5 year. That same someone who promised him a forever only to leave when things became too hard. And now she's gone. Gone like the ink leaving his pen as he writes his heart out onto this paper. 

Soon enough she'll forget about him and move on too. She'll forget him the way she forgot all those other guys they wanted her. She knew, all the ones who she most likely made similar promises to. Did she cry at all? Did it hurt her at all... When she said she didn't need him anymore? Why did she had to end things when he was very close to getting her? She told him she was never leaving his side! Is she lying? Or were her feelings able to fade so quickly? 

He should hate her but he loved her way too much to stay away from her. He should be angry with her, but he can't. He's worried for her... He wish the best for her. He just want her to have happiness, even if that means He have to sacrifice his own. He would do anything for her happiness. He wanted to be the very best for her. He was the very best for her, but his best wasn't ever enough to satisfy her was it? Maybe that's what hurts the most.

His eyes shifted to the side and became glazed with a glassy layer of tears. As he blinked, they dripped from his eyelids and slid down his cheeks. His heart sank. "Mahmud," Ahmad called out, placing his hand on his friend's shoulder. He now believes he loved her so much and he could do anything to get her.

"Smile even if your day isn't that good. So what if she doesn't want you in her life anymore? Maybe you could make somebody else's day better with your smile. You'd be shocked by the amount of girls that want you...."

Mahmud smiled and wiped his tears. "Ahmad, she's the only girl I want, the only girl I need. You just won't understand what she does to my heart whenever I'm with her. There was a steadiness to her, as if all the storms in the world were a whispering breeze if she was there. She was kind and clever, perhaps that's what drew me to her. It was as if she knew she was born to be a queen of the earth, one who helped others, using her brain to fix whatever needed fixing. There was nothing princess about her though, just a fierce independence and a motherliness too... and she was that way from girlhood, confident with the air of a warrior. I love her and I don't think I can ever leave her."

Ahmad stared at him perplexed and thinking what kind of human being is mahmud. He is completely blind with her love. That moment he decided to help his friend, make things right between him and Maryam. He never enjoys seeing mahmud depressed and broken.