The Rejected Bride

“Why do you like thunderstorms?” “Because it shows that even nature needs to scream sometimes” by EB Zeynep Pov They say everything happens for a reason. I don't know who “they”are but I know it is said that:there is a reason for everything, good or bad. Three years ago, I might have disagreed but as I crouched down looking at myself in the puddle. I couldn't help but understand the saying. When ummi died I was completely and utterly devastated, I was scared and I thought that I wouldn't be able to live life without her. Guess what I was right. That's when I started my uncontrollably suicide attempts but Allah didn't want me. But then I remembered the verse mama always read to me. Allah didn't abandon me,nor did he forget me (93:03 Quran) But it was all a lie,he too abandoned me. He left me when all I have ever done was to be devoted to him, I never strayed even when I had reasons to. I recited my shahadah everyday to keep my faith strong. I recited the subhan al

“The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel it's warmth” African proverbs The next morning, the house was too quiet. But that was expected considering the fact that I was awake by 4 because I needed to cook and clean before going to school. But the silence was different this time around. It wasn’t the comforting quiet you might get after a long day, but the kind that suffocates you, the kind that makes you afraid of breaking the silence. The kind that makes you feel like something bad is about to happen. I was still sore, every inch of my body protesting as I moved. My ribs ached with every breath, my wrists bore the bruises from where Abhu had grabbed me, and the weight of everything that had happened the night before sat heavy in my chest. But I had to get up. I had to keep moving, no matter how much I wanted to lie there and disappear. I forced myself out of bed and into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. As I

“Walls have wars Doors have eyes Trees have voices Beast tell lies Beware the rain Beware the snow Beware the man you think you know.” Songs of sapphiqueSome hells were designed to look like heaven. The moment we turned into the street, I could immediately identify his house. Standing regal at the end of the street, on at least 1,000 acres of land,the 3-storey building looked like a cross between a church and a hotel, with its large pillars and cathedral-like windows, juxtaposed with modern lines and elaborate lighting. It stood out like a sore thumb, not only on its quietstreet but the entire sleepy neighborhood. It was everything I’d read about in books and so much more. From the gate to the house was a full five-minute drive, and I marveled at the sheer expanse of the compound, complete witha small pond and peacocks running around the lush greenery.

“ Sometimes, everything cries in you expect your eyes” Arabic quotes We were driving into the compound when we sighted a black Toyota Celica parked in front of the house. I recognized it as the car the minister drove when he came to marry me, and my heart skipped a beat. Was he home?.“What brings him here ?” the head maid mumbled under her breath, a deep frown on her face.This confused me, as I knew she had a soft spot for the minister,from the way she fondly spoke of him. If he were the one, she wouldn’t be wondering why he was in the house.“Who is it?” I askedShe said nothing in response, but I was to get my answer very soon. As we disembarked from the car, a tall figure emerged from the doorway. I felt my blood run cold as I recognised who it was. Daniel.“Where have you two been? I’ve been here for at least an hour,” he demanded, his nostrils flared and his jaw set.“Don’t be angry. We had to go and buy a few things,”

truths are not to be told” Portuguese proverb Chapter 10“That’s okay. I’ll just come to you.” He sat on the bed, the tray on his laps. “Come eat with me.”I glared at him, still crying.“I don’t want to have to force you, zeynep. Don’t let me have to hurt you again. I don’t like seeing what I’ve done to your face. It would be so much easier if you’d just cooperate.”I didn’t move, but instead lowered my head, trying to wish him away.“You seem to think this is optional. You’ve forgotten what I told you about Orion,” he said, humor having left his voice. “I spoke with your father this afternoon. They now have a date for his resumption. It’s in another month. What a shame it would be to have to terminate everything!”That was all it needed to make me do his bidding. I rose to my feet and sat beside him on the bed, watching as he ate.“Madam Maria is undefeated. These eggs are delicious!” he remarked. “Are you sure you don’t want any of it?”I shoo