Chapter 35: The big step

Najmah woke up alone, squinting at the bright lights that bathed the room, blinking rapidly to restore her blurred vision. She shifted in the bed, pressing a finger to her temple as she felt the tension begin to build.

She and Aslan had stayed up late the other day, watching TV while making plans for their future. It was after fajr salah that they had gotten ready to sleep.

As she sat up in bed, her gaze settled on Aslan who was leaning against the dresser, fully clothed.

"What time is it?" she uttered hoarsely, her palm going over her temple again.

"Quarter to noon," he responded, easing down onto the edge of the bed.

"You feeling okay to go out?" he placed a hand on her forehead to feel her temperature. A frown marred his features when he felt the hotness on her skin.

"Where to?" she threw her legs off the bed, standing on wobbly legs.

"It's a surprise."

"Hmm," she nodded, making a beeline to the bathroom. "I just need food in my system then maybe aspirin then I'm good to go."

"We could leave it to another day," he shook his head, his expression mirroring concern. "You don't look so good."

"I'm okay," she chuckled lightly. "Just lack of sleep."

"You should go back to sleep then," he suggested.

"I'll do it later," she shrugged. "Don't worry, I won't pass out on you."

"You sure about it?"

"Yeah," she nodded, disappearing behind the bathroom's door.

He sat there, contemplating whether to let her rest some more or go ahead with his plans of the day. Not coming up with a decision, he decided to go down and get brunch for her together with the aspirin she had stated she needed.

{••}

"Aslan we need to talk," Afet spoke, intercepting him on the stairs, amidst his journey back to his room.

"About what?" his forehead crinkled, his lips pursing into a thin line.

"You know what I am talking about," she hissed lowly, glancing around the environment to make sure there were no eavesdroppers around.

"If you know what's best for you, you will keep your mouth shut," he replied coldly, sidestepping her.

"I will tell her if you don't," she spoke to his retreating form, her nose flaring up. She was responded with a stiff shoulder and a nonchalant glance. Her hands balled into fists as she stared at him disappearing behind the door of his room.

Involuntary tears rolled down Afet’s face as she stared unabashedly at the door of the room he shared with her nemesis. Why was it so hard for them to talk? Why was it so hard for him to stand her presence? Did he loathe her that much? Was it so hard for him to reciprocate her feelings? Why did it have to be one-sided?

{••}

Gathering her wild curls, she braided them to the side of her head, not in the mood for straightening them. Najmah donned on a pastel cashmere coat over a white crop top then zipped up her favorite pair of black wash up jeans, looping a black leather belt over her waist. She emerged from the closet and head towards the vanity mirror, applying a layer of lipstick to her lips. She buckled her belt then pinned her hijab to her head, dusting her face with powder.

Satisfied with her look, she shoved her feet into a pair of nude heels before ambling out of the room. She descended down the stairs, a broad smile on her lips as her gaze fixed on Lale who was leaning against the railing at the foot of the stairs.

"The Second day of eid and you have already returned to wearing jeans," she shook her head, kissing Najmah's cheek.

"What can I say?" Najmah returned the gesture, tucking her phone into her clutch. "I love my jeans."

"Ready?" Aslan spoke from behind, looping his arm with hers.

"Yeah," she nodded, fixing her gaze on him before flickering back to Lale. "We'll head out now."

"Be safe," she waved at them before ascending the stairs.

{••}

"We have arrived our destination," Aslan announced, killing the engine of his car.

Najmah hummed in reply, distracted by the message she had received.

'We shall meet very soon' it read. Najmah knew without a doubt who had sent the message, but what he wanted from her was still an unsolved mystery. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that his reappearance would affect her, she would keep ignoring him till he relents and lets her go.

"Najmah?" Aslan tapped her shoulder, his brows snapping. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she nodded, placing her hand in his. "I'm good."

"You..."

"You will get early crinkles if you don't stop snapping those brows," she teased, smoothening the crease on his forehead. "And believe me, I don't want a crinkle aged husband while I'm still young."

He chuckled lightly, leading them through the sparkling lawn adorning the modern two-storey building.

"Where are we?" she questioned as Aslan dangled a set of keys in front of her, dropping them in her palm. She clutched the keys in her hand like a treasure, pursing her lips.

"I have been thinking," he paused by the door, gesturing at her to open it. "I want us to move out of the house."

"And stay where?" she cocked an eyebrow as they stepped into the dimly lit foyer.

"Here silly," he rolled his eyes, flicking her nose. "This would be our new home. What say you?"

"I..." her eyes widened. She blinked, opened her mouth, closed it then blinked again.

"Are you serious?" she squealed, placing a hand over her mouth to stifle her scream. "This is amazing!"

"You ready to check it out?" he smiled, flipping the switch on the wall. The foyer was soon illuminated by light, leaving Najmah awestruck as she stared ahead.

"Come on," Aslan tugged at her sleeve. "There's more to see inside."

Najmah's heels echoed around the unfurnished space as she waltzed in, paying heed to details of each room they passed.

Her hand glided around the granite counter of the kitchen as she tried to digest everything in. She moved towards the living room which was equipped with floor to ceiling glass doors, offering a view to the swimming pool outside.

Aslan moved behind her as she walked towards the pool, careful not to fall in. He leaned against the frame as he watched her assessing the pool area.

She moved passed him without a word, climbing up the stairs and beginning to open the doors. When she was done, she descended down the stairs and walked towards him with a passive expression.

"Do you like the house?" he questioned, pushing off the door.

"I love it," she stated gleefully, her face glowing. "When do we start decorating?"

"The designers would be back tomorrow, and by the end of the month the house would be complete," he shrugged, snaking his arm around her.

"I thought maybe we could do it ourselves," she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I want to paint my room by myself and the designers could do the rest of the house."

"Have you ever paint a room before?" he cocked his eyebrow.

"There's always a first time," she shrugged.

"Come," she took his hands in hers. "Let me show you something."

He let her drag him up the stairs and into a room which was next to the master bedroom. Paint buckets and brushes were laying on the floor across the room with a workbench not far from it. There were wallpapers kept on the counter and she shuffled through them till she found the perfect wallpaper for her room.

"Let's get to work," she clapped her hands enthusiastically, taking off her coat. She draped it over the half made bed before sauntering over to the brush set.

{••}

As he watched her add finishing touches to the wall she was painting, he felt something tug at his heart.

I don't deserve her.

The thought was brutal and intrusive, yet, it was something hard to deny. Najmah was beautiful, intelligent and amazing while he was just a broken rich boy with issues that would haunt him for the rest of his life. He didn't deserve her, not by a long shot. She should have someone better, someone, who hadn't messed up like he did. But as she dropped the paintbrush she was holding and turned around to face him with a smile, he knew that he could never part with her.

He knew that he wanted her to be with him for the rest of his life, and he was selfish enough to not let her go; she was there to stay.

"You done?" she wrapped an arm around him, surveying the room.

"You were right," she shook her head giggling. "We should really let the professionals handle it. I'm so tired, I think I'm gonna be needing physical therapy real soon."

Aslan chuckled lightly, pecking her hairline. "You did a great job," he surveyed the wall she worked on. It was painted in lavender with a large rose in the middle, painted in baby pink. At the edge, she had painted tiny pieces of white lilies and sunflowers.

"Thank you," she dropped her head on his shoulder. "Let's get out of here. I'm serious about needing a physical therapist."

"What a lazy ass woman I have," he shook his head, picking her up bridal style.

"Dude," she grinned, wrapping her hand around his neck. "I'm a keeper."

"You sure are," he conceded, closing the door after him.

By the time they had reached home, Najmah was fast asleep. Aslan picked her up and tucked her in bed with a smile on his face and as he watched her sleep, he knew that it was the beginning of a new future for them.

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