Chapter Six

Third Person's POV:

Maryam rushed back inside her room, panting heavily. Once she was out of his sight, she calmed down and face palmed herself. It didn't even occur to her once that Abdullah could be there. If she had known that there was even a minor possibility of that happening, she would have worn proper clothes.

It was such a bummer that her quiet time was interrupted by him but it was even worse that he saw her in that state. She only wore those clothes when she was alone in the room. Her face was still beetroot red and her heart was pounding out of her chest. Her dress was anything but appropriate and he was the first man to see her in that. 

She just couldn't forget the look on his face when he looked at her. It was almost as if... As if... He was checking her out. The way he looked at her in fascination made her heart skip a beat involuntarily. She tried to shake off the feeling but honestly, she felt a little giddy. He was her husband after all and there wasn't anything wrong with him checking her out like that.

But!

She quickly got a hold of herself. 

He's a jerk! 

She wasn't going to think of him in that way because it'll end up hurting her eventually. His harsh words and attitude towards her, she couldn't forget all of it. In fact, it was a good thing he saw her like that. Then, he'd realize what he's been missing but when he does, she won't be so forgiving.

Back at Abdullah's room, Zain pulled out a slice of pizza when Abdullah entered the room. "I was just waiting for you. Come on, let's dig in." he offered stuffing his face with a bite. Abdullah raised an eyebrow at him, still feeling a bit fuzzy after that sight he witnessed.

"It's already here?" he asked, sitting down with his golden brown-haired friend. Zain was from Kashmir and his golden-brown eyes and hair made it evident. He wasn't very handsome but the striking color of his eyes and silky hair made him stand out. In addition to that, his goofy and cheerful personality made him more appealing to women not to mention, his kind nature. Abdullah was the total opposite of him, with black hair and dark green eyes. His complexion was a bit pale as well and he mostly remained quiet and serious, coming off as unfriendly. 

"You know I have my ways," Zain told him. "Where did you go, by the way?" he asked his friend, who was still thinking about Maryam. "I just went to the balcony to get some air." He told him, trying hard not to spill more than needed because he was sure that Zain would never let him off if he got the slightest hint that Abdullah had an awkward moment with Maryam.

"Oh," fortunately, Zain was busy with his food so he didn't pay much mind to it. There was a moment of silence between the two which Abdullah broke after thinking about something. "I talked to Noor today," he told him. Zain looked up at his friend and frowned with his mouth full. "You do that every day," he pointed out, making Abdullah shake his head in no. 

"Yeah, I know but I talked to her about marriage again." that got him interested and he leaned closer to hear him out properly. "You're still trying to talk her into it even after she rejected you like that?" he spoke disapprovingly because he never liked Noor.

Zain always thought that Noor was just playing around with him and Abdullah didn't need to get so serious about her. He was sure that Noor accepted to be his girlfriend just to have a good experience out of it, nothing more. And initially, Abdullah thought the same but recently, he noticed that the way he was falling in love with her every day, she was also considering him more than just a 'good experience'.

"She didn't reject me. She just wasn't ready for marriage." Abdullah said it like he was assuring himself more than Zain who looked at him with a look of disappointment. Zain was about to advise Abdullah to steer clear of that cunning woman but he stopped himself, knowing that Abdullah didn't like it when he insulted her.

"Okay," Zain accepted. "So what did she say this time? Did she consider it?" he asked, genuinely concerned. Abdullah scratched his temples nervously. "Uh... She considered it. But, it's still a no from her side."

Zain was expecting it so, he just bristled but didn't express his disdain for Noor further.

"Honestly, Abdullah. You're already married. Do you really think you can keep two wives? You know what a big sin it is if you can't keep equality between them. You'll have to give as much attention to Maryam as you will give to Noor." But Abdullah wasn't even going to think about it. He quickly shook his head.

"Oh no, you're thinking way too ahead, Zain. You really think I'm going to stay married to Maryam if I get Noor?" he looked very surprised at what Zain said. 

"You mean you're going to divorce her?" he asked. The silence after his question gave him his answer and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, still trying to believe that Abdullah was serious about what he was saying. "But what about your parents?"

Abdullah moved his gaze from Zain to the pizza box sitting in front of him. "I'm not going to divorce her. She's going to ask for it herself," he replied, feeling anything but guilt.

"And how do you know she's going to do that?" Zain questioned.

"I'll make her. I'll make this so hard for her, she'll beg to get rid of me. Then, I'll marry Noor and that's that." Abdullah sounded evil as he worded out his genius plan, making Zain feel nothing but disgust. He looked at his friend of seven years and wondered how he had gotten so cruel. He had never expressed that much hate for someone before. What did Maryam do that he was so angry at her?

"Abdullah..." he had nothing to say. "Come on, Zain. It won't be such a problem. It's not like she likes me anyway. She'll be more than happy to leave me." he assured his friend which did nothing. Giving up, Zain just looked away.

"I don't know what you're thinking but just remember that you're doing all this for a girl who's not even sure she wants to be with you for longer than a few years. In the end, it's your choice. But, don't expect me to help you out on this." Zain rarely sounded that serious and Abdullah did feel a little guilt for making him upset but he knew his priorities.

"Just enjoy the pizza," he said to him casually and started eating his slice. Zain rolled his eyes but didn't say anything else. He knew that if he pressed the matter, it would just annoy Abdullah further and he would leave the room like earlier.

"How's work, by the way?" Zain asked, trying to change the topic for which Abdullah was grateful. "Hard as always. That Wilson guy came again. He was pressing again for the estate in Pakistan to be handed over to him. He said he'd pay more than the normal amount."

"That guy's stubborn," Zain remarked. "What'd you say to him then?"

"Of course I said no. Dad would kill me if I made a decision like that without his permission. Besides, we're getting a lot of profit from there, we can't just give it to him."

And that was how they spent the rest of the night. Zain left around midnight and Abdullah felt as if the burden on his shoulders had been lifted. Zain was positive energy and even though he was annoying and had completely different views, he was a big help.

Before going to sleep, Abdullah's mind wandered off to Maryam again. His arm was placed over his forehead and he tried to go to sleep but the image wasn't leaving his mind.

He thought that she was pretty since the beginning but it was the first time it had hit him so hard. He didn't like the fact that it affected him so much. For God's sake, she was just a normal girl who was pretty but that was it.

Noor was also pretty and she was also his biggest supporter. He would've accepted Maryam if he didn't have Noor in his life. Maybe then, things would've been different. But slowly, he felt like his hatred towards Maryam was becoming personal. He couldn't forget how she humiliated him, calling him a coward. Who was she to say such words to him?

It was because of her that he couldn't meet Noor in the eyes but despite that, she didn't leave him. Any other girl would have to know that her boyfriend had a wife. The only thing Abdullah wanted was to marry Noor so he could finally live his life peacefully with the one he truly loved. 

Maryam was pretty but she didn't mean anything to him. She was just a girl who was placed under his responsibility.

And even if she made his heart race as she did earlier, he wasn't going to give in because that wouldn't be fair to Noor who had supported him in his hard times.

He needed Maryam to ask for a divorce and he knew just the way to do it. He was boring and full of himself, but he knew how to charm a girl.