Chapter 6

Hatina's POV:

It’s been a week now since my engagement, so that means I only have a week to my wedding. Agh, it sounds so weird. How can I get married now? So soon?

It is so unexpected even to me.

It is a Monday and also a workday so I have to go to the office early because Abba said he isn't feeling too well to come.

I walk downstairs to pick my car keys when then Khalid comes running to me.

"Masha Allah sister you look beautiful." "Really? Thank you so much, masha Allah."

I'm wearing a peach skirt connected to a belt with a white long sleeved top tucked inside the skirt and a sky-blue bag with a multi- colored hijab.

I say my goodbyes to everyone as I leave the house, praying for Allah's protection.

*********

I arrive at the office just in time and adhere to my duties that I should have done, but not able to because of 'MY MARRIAGE' preparations. Umma even said I should quit work for now till I get married but I disagreed. I won't let this marriage take all of my life when it’s something I'm not even happy about.

I sit in my three wheeled chair and start working when my secretary comes in.

"Hatina, someone is waiting outside and said he wants to see you." Salma my secretary speaks to me.

I told my staffs to call me Hatina because I don't really like that high regard they give me, when I'm nothing but a human being like them. As Abbas would say, it is better to be loved than respected, because when there is love there is respect but when there is respect there isn't always love.

"Salma could you tell her that I'm busy please, and she should come back later." I tell her truthfully while clicking the keyboard. I really don't have the time to attend to anyone right now, I have stacks of files on my desk waiting to be reviewed all because of my absence for some days.

"It’s a him ma." She says unclear and I raise my head up.

"A him? Whatever, just tell him I'm busy and should come back later." I'm not expecting anyone anytime soon, the only person I am actually expecting to see is someone from Europe coming to see me on an official business but that is supposed to be later in the evening and it’s a woman, not a man. So who could it be? Anyways the person will have to wait.

I continue my work as soon as Salma leaves but then she arrives again.

"Um... Hatina, he said he isn't going anywhere until you see him and he also said I should deliver the message clearly this way to you. He said, 'wouldn't you like to spend time with your...your... fiancé". She speaks emphasizing on the last word.

"My what? What is this now? Who is it? Ya Allah people can be so funny a times. My fiancé huh?" I laugh hysterically. "Salma, for the last time okay? tell him to come back later and I won't listen to you if you come back." I tell her for the last time.

"Okay ma'am". She does as she's told. I sigh relived that I have gotten rid of the person looking so desperately to see me. He would have to come back another time.

I'm so engrossed rounding up a file when my door slides open unexpectedly.

"Subhanalah, wh...wh.."

"So, you can't even come out to see me? Lady what's your problem, I'm your soon to be husband and you can't show some respect." Wait what's happening? Why is he in my office? Why is this jerk in my office? what is Annur doing here?

I stare at him in bewilderment as my mouth goes up in an 'oh'. Oh my God, I actually forgot I was engaged. Oh ya Allah.

"Wh...".

I am so shocked I can't even utter a word, I had so many questions to ask. First of all why are you here? Second how did you know my place of work? Thirdly you can't just barge into my office like that, show some respect. But I think I'll start asking from the last one.

"Why are you stuttering?" He asks which makes my anger beginning to boil, as Salman stays behind him.

I signal for Salman to go back to work while I face my so-called fiancé.

"Annur, you can't just barge into my office, why are you here in the first place? I'm gonna have to tell you to leave" I speak professionally.

"Are you seriously asking me to leave?" He asks surprised.

"Yes I am" I tell him. Who does he actually think he is thinking he could just barge into my office like that?

"Darling don't say something say don't mean," he smirks.

Oh God this guy is a real jerk. Agh!

"I mean it, but whatever. Why are you even here in the first place what do you want?" I ask him. God, I am already tired of him being here and the fact that I have a lot of work isn't helping at all.

"Why? Can't I come to visit my fiancéé anymore?" he say winking at me. Oh no.

"Seriously, Annur we both know that's not why you came here," I tell him.

"Okay, fine. I came to take you out." He say shoving one hand into his pocket.

"Out? Out for what and for why?" I ask surprised. This man is ridiculous. First he tells me to deal with it, then he brings up a marriage proposal, then he wants to take me out. Does this look like some game to him?

"Can't I at least take you out? To get to know you," he says sounding sincere. I don't know if Annur is actually telling the truth or is just trying to have fun but this does sound fishy. Annur Abubakar what's to know me? no, not possible.

But, thinking of it He kind of has the right to, he's going to be my husband and I don't actually know anything about him and neither does he.

I want to utter a word but something in my gut is telling me that he has an ulterior motive but I decide to let it slide as I don't want any negative thought for this day.

"As you can see Annur you met me busy, and I can't leave my work. I had to post pone most of my work because of the preparations. And now, I can't just leave it" I tell him sincerely.

"So you're saying you can't go." He asks. "Yes that's what I'm saying." I insist.

I go back to my position, but notice that Annur is still there and to top it all he begins to whistle.

Seriously? Here in my office? After I told him I am really busy. What is wrong with this psycho?

"Now what is this Annur? I told you I am busy, don't you get busy? Please another time I promise." I tell him trying to subside my anger. I'm really getting pissed right now.

"If you won't go then I won't leave," he sounds serious. I let out a heavy sigh. This man is driving me insane and I knew if I didn't fulfill his request I won't be able to do what I intend to do and I had no choice.

"Fine, fine I'll go but I'm not staying long." I say surrendering.

"Deal." He says with a smirk, finally getting his wish. I stand up leaving all my work still on my desk, since I'm not staying long I decide to just leave them all there. I pick up my phone and we both leave the office.

We move straight to the parking lot as I walk to take my car, when Annur stops me.

"Where are you going?" He asks.

"As you can see, I'm going to my car." I reply obviously. "For what?" He asks, raising his brows.

"What do they use car for? To drive of course." I answer again, obviously.

"Why will you take your car when I brought mine? Am I not the one who invited you to go out with me? Did you think I'll have no means of transport or what's wrong with you?" He speaks sounding angry which really makes me scared.

The way he talks, so fearful and I instantly feel weak. Is this how he's gonna get angry over little things, when we get married.

What have I gotten myself into?

"I'm sorry Annur I didn't think about that." I said apologizing. I don't even know why I am apologizing but he really scared me.

"Whatever, let's go." He ignores me as he moves to the car. Now that this happened I'm really scared to get married to him, if he's going to snap at me every time I do something like this, I don't know what's going to happen.

I get into his car and immediately he starts driving. We arrive at a place called 'spontaneous'. I know places all around Dubai city but I've never been to this place. It looks new and nice even from the outside.

The inside is even more beautiful when we enter, as we take a table next to the window seeing the view of the outside world.

We order what we want, as the dishes consist of Chinese cuisine, Indian cuisine, and all types of cuisines you can think of, but we decide to order a szhenwan chili chicken and shitake fried rice with water chestnuts (Chinese).

I stare outside for some minutes before our order is brought and Annur begins a converse.

"Do you like the food?" Annur asks as soon as I started eating.

"Yeah its nice." I reply honestly, still shaken up about what happened at the parking lot, but to be honest the food is really delicious.

"So tell me more about yourself." Annur says taking me by surprise. Well he did say he wants to know me, so let's see how that goes.

"Um, well you know my name, yeah?" I ask and he nods. "um... I love pets a lot, but I'll just haven't gotten the time to take one, my favorite hobby is swimming actually. I..." I begin talking but couldn't complete my sentence because there is a voice screaming Annur's name and coming closer, as a lady walks to our direction.

"Hani! Hey baby, how are you? What are you doing here?" Annur gets up and moves closer to her before planting a kiss on her lips.

Ya Allah!

Did I just witness that? Did he just.. Did...did he...in my presence and...Oh my God I am so stupid to actually believe him.

"Who is she?" The lady dressed in a blue mini gown that ends below her thighs asks, clinging onto him like her life depends on it.

"Don't worry she's nobody, just an employee. Let's go." Annur speaks and my heart fall into a million pieces.

An employee?

Wait, please what just happened? Oh my God I... What was I thinking? That he would actually want to be nice at least just once? Wow I am so dumb to believe that. I am so embarrassed.

What…is happening? I can't understand.

"Hatina, enjoy your food and when you're done you can pay over there." Annur gestures to a waitress, before leaving with the so-called Hani woman.

What? Is he alright? What did Annur just do?

Tears want to roll down my cheek but then I remember that I'm not at home and couldn't cry.

Oh my God, Ya Allah what have I put myself into. I didn't know what to do... What am I going to do? Oh Ya Allah.