"Girl, you're learning fast!!"
"Yeah after like the hundredth miss!" I make a face yet can't help but let out an exultant giggle of my own.
I relax my hold over the paintball shot gun and remove my safety goggles, placing the both of them at the aiming counter. I high five Bev and she sidles up next to me for a selfie on her phone.
Currently, we're visiting the Exulsior Gun Club And Shooting Range. Bev and Serge practically drove me nuts over it with their consistent persuasion all day long.
Even Huxley and Mrs.Agnelli joined in on their entreats to have me go learn some form of self defence.
Now here I was, practicing something I had never discerned I would. Something that I only believed years ago, was part of movie sets, military and police work.
"How's it going ?" Serge's voice flows with intonation. He's approaching from the opposite direction.
A lopsided grin on his handsome face as he looks from me to the target boards and winks. "Niiice.."
I blush and shrug my shoulders casually. "It's nothing really.."
He pulls aside his business blazer's flap and points an index finger at the gun holstered to his belt. "You'll be handling this baby tomorrow!"
"Um.." I let out a nervous chuckle as I stare at his weapon. "Not so soon..I'm not ready yet, I'll stick with the paintball bullets and stuff.."
"Don't be afraid! It's super fun!" Bev assures matter of factly. "And thrillinggg!"
I suppress the urge to roll my eyes at her, handling dangerous weapons was far from thrilling. I had no desire to be here and touch such things.
But what was one to do when fate took such twisted undesirable turns. In all honesty, I doubted my ability to pull the trigger if I were to Allah forbid, be in a perilous situation requiring it.
"Been over two hours here! So let's get something to eat now !" Serge suggests eagerly. "Let me wine and dine you ladies."
Bev wrinkles her nose abjectly. "Ew! How about some burgers and fries, and steak! Some manly food joint !"
Serge rolls his eyes and brings up his hands in defence. "Hey, not a problem..burgers and fries it is..just be mindful of whether Sanam wants to eat that stuff or not."
"Oh it's fine so long as I can eat something halal, I'm good." I assure them earnestly.
We begin walking towards the exit when a boyish voice obstructs us from behind. "Hey Serge!"
Turning around, we spot a good looking guy appearing to be of Middle Eastern descent, approaching us. He's dressed immaculately in a brown pinstripe vest and pants, with short curly dark hair and a goatee.
As he nears, he throws me furtive glances. I think perhaps for the reason that he must be surprised to see a hijabi in such a facility.
"Heyyy Saleh!" Serge shakes the young man's hand and gives him a pat on his back. "Sup man ?"
"Hi Saleh." Bev addresses knowingly with a head nod. "How's everything ?"
"Not much, oh man I haven't seen you two in a long while! Bev, congrats by the way for your marriage! Give Grig my congrats!" Saleh answers elatedly. "I'm so glad to have run into you guys today! How are you both?"
"Aw thanks, I will." Bev smiles. "And I'm fine thanks for asking."
"I'm same old, same old. Sure glad to see you as well, man!" Serge agrees.
"Awesome!" Saleh grins, displaying a pearly wide smile. "Uh..who's this Muslimah? Aren't you going to introduce me ?"
I find his amiable brown eyes on me. His smile broadens ever more.
"So this is why you stopped us huh! You crooked lil dawg you!" Serge lets out a hearty chuckle and gives him a playful punch to the shoulder, followed by a wink.
Saleh blushes simultaneously as I do over Serge's silly hidden implications.
But Serge continues jovially. "Sanam, I want you to meet my good friend Saleh Bin Adam, his father is the owner of this gun club! And Saleh, this is our lovely guest, Miss Sanam Kashani! Learnin some self defence!"
"Asalamleikom, nice to meet you." Saleh nods in acknowledgment.
I'm grateful he doesn't extend his hand out for a shake, that means he knew well the halal codes.
"WaleikomAsalaam." I say with certain timidness. I avert my gaze away as Bev elbows me delusively.
Oh dear...
"Hey Saleh, are you busy right now ?" Bev asks, exuberantly.
"Nah"
"Join us for some lunch then!" She advocates while elbowing me slyly again.
"Sure, where you guys headed?" He pilfers another one of those curious glances my way.
"Ah..you know of any halal burger joints around here ?" Serge asks.
A half hour later we are sitting in a halal Fried Chicken and Burger restaurant, eating some hearty meal.
"Damn good..I'm really liking this halal food!" Bev crams her mouth with a large bite of her burger, the sauces dribbling down her chin.
Saleh would nervously glance at the four Molotov Mafia members dressed in business blazers and shades, standing guard at the entrance. Actually all the other Muslims in the restaurant looked at them, like who the heck are these men standing there nearly blocking the entrance.
I guess Saleh has never had lunch with Serge and Bev before, otherwise he'd know they have these men around them wherever they went.
Eventually, Saleh gets into a very chatty mode with me. I learned that he's twenty years old and resides in wealthy residential gated community with his parents and young siblings.
He seems like a very well mannered young man. He starts discussing his need to marry early in life and have a family of his own. I have no idea why he jumps right into that topic with me.
I mean we were discussing my favourite color at one point, which I didn't understand why he asked about that either. Then all of a sudden, he just blurts he wants to get married soon.
"I desire my first born to be a son..so I can name him Adam." He informs while staring me in the eyes intently.
"But!" Bev interjects with brows knitting in confusion, her mouth packed with fries now. "Then he would be known as Adam Adam coz your surname is Adam..."
"It's normal." Saleh waves his hand dismissively. "I even have a distant uncle named Saleh Saleh."
"Oh my God!" Bev grins. "I have an uncle named Townsend Townsend! And here I thought my family was weird ...no offense."
"No offense taken." Saleh smiles at her before turning to me. "So what you think?"
"Well that's a good thing, brother Saleh." I nod awkwardly in approval. "Good thing to get married early."
Serge ends up chuckling. "Heheh she brother-zoned your ass !"
I stare at Serge blankly before adding. "He's my brother in Islam..."
"Oooh!" Serge points a finger accusingly at Saleh. "You just got brother zoned twice, even Islamically ! Got no chance now man."
Chance ?
What is he on about ??
But Saleh evades Serge's outlandish rambling. He continues discussing his future marriage and kids.
Bev elbowed me when I nearly informed him I was married. It was beyond my comprehension why she did that.
When we are in the limo, after having dropped off Saleh at the Gun club, I turn towards Bev and ask. "Why did you stop me from telling him I'm married ?"
"Cozzz it's beyond obvious he finds you attractive." She winks at me suggestively. "Why ruin it, get some information out of him and see if he gels with you personality wise before you make a move!"
I gape at her dumbfounded. "But I'm married.."
She wrinkles her nose abjectly. "Your husband is an asshole, I'm sorry but Rachael told me and Katie everything. "
My shoulders slump in disappointment over Rachael revealing my details. So much for the supposed trust.
Bev notices and apologizes. "Unless you're in love with your husband, then sorry I shouldn't have said that."
"No!" I nearly snap but bite down on my lip before slackening. "No..I don't love him..it wasn't even a love marriage in the first place..it was just to make my baba and stepmother happy.."
"Sucks!" Be
v provides me a sympathetic stare. "You should get a divorce ASAP!"
My eyes widen in alarm. "A divorce ?? I can't do that!!"
Bev raises her brow questioningly. "Why not ? You don't even love him and he's an asshole so might as well get a divorce already."
She had a valid point yet she states it so casually like its no big deal and something to be proud of. I couldn't just get a divorce so suddenly anyway. I wanted to patch things up with baba after I obtained full custody of Bilal and a home of my own.
I needed to earn baba's trust again before I revealed to him what Imran had done to me and why I needed a divorce from him.
"I'll think about it." I reply somberly.
She rolls her eyes at me before her expression contorts to mischief. "What you think of Saleh Adam ? He's cute, wealthy, wants a good Muslim wife."
I shake my head shyly and look away out of the limo window.
MashaAllah he was nice ...even though he was kind of weird..
She starts laughing and clasps her hands together joyfully. "You think he's cute, yes you do! I can tell from your face !!"
"Bevvv!" I exasperate. "Let's not talk of my marriage and divorce right now."
◆◆◆
Two hours later, we finally arrive at the Nielsen manor. I step out of the limo and my breath hitches in my throat.
This reaction of mine always occurs when he's around in close vision.
He shouldn't affect me so abnormally. I hated that my body always reacted in a such an aberrant way.
Surely enough there he is, intimidating presence leaning against one of the pillars of the manor. Absentmindedly smoking a cigar and clad in a business blazer without top hat or cane.
He hadn't seen us yet, attention skimming over his phone in one hand.
I felt my palms moisten in nervousness. I try to take cover behind Bev and Serge.
Lately, the demon has been focusing on me whenever we've crossed paths. The worst part of it was he'd stare at my lips then look me in the eyes.
As if he was trying to communicate to me something inaudible just by his fierce blue gaze alone. Yet his overall visage was stony.
And truth be told, I couldn't bare looking back into his eyes for more than a few seconds. His eyes felt as if they were pulling me in to their abyss.
I didn't want to sink into the abyss for I was afraid of weird feelings creeping up on me. Every time I'd be reminded of that forbidden encounter between us and my heart would shrivel from shame and guilt.
Few days ago as I was dashing up the foyer steps, I had nearly knocked into him while he was descending. He stood there like a greek sculptor. Continuously, he examined my eyes and lips for couple of seconds till I had made the move to leave. His expression unreadable, giving nothing away. And I was completely beyond flustered.
He wouldn't even move an inch out of my path, so when I pivoted on my heel to run back down, he caught my wrist in his cold hard grip.
I had let out a startling shriek of terror and he immediately let go. Like a whirlwind, I had zoomed past him then. My heart hammering abnormally.
"Heyyy Vladimir!" Serge waves at him now.
Nooooooo
I grimace, holding onto Bev's bejewelled arm so tightly. She lets out a yelp.
He glances in our direction and instantly, eyes froze upon me. I think my heart stops by such a powerful glance. I avert my vision elsewhere.
Then Bev decides to pause walking along with Serge just to have a chat with the demon.
And I had no desire to stand there with them under his calculating scrutiny.No desire whatsoever.
So I keep walking without looking in their direction. Feeling his gaze burn into me as if I was under a thousand suns. My heart rate increases for each second his observation remains on me.
As I'm entering into the manor, I can overhear Serge striving to obtain the demons attention. "Vladimir! Man are you alright ?"
Later that night, Katie summons me to her room while everyone has gone to bed. I wonder what she wants to discuss about, I was feeling quite tired.
I glance at the time, 11:07pm and I had to be up early for my morning prayer. Right after, prepare myself for another course at the Gun club.
"Ugh, gosh I'm so sorry to interrupt your night!" She apologizes with an utter hopeless look as she plops onto her vast bed besides me.
"It's alright." I stifle a yawn and peer at her curiously. "You seem down for the day..is something wrong ?"
She props her head on her elbow and heaves a dejected sigh. "Yes ...actually..I don't know what to do..I mean I just wanted to ask you about your arranged marriage and stuff if you don't mind that is .."
I raise a brow questioningly. "Uh..why?"
"Vladimir has scheduled a courting soirée here at the manor for me" she pouts with a disappointed frown. "He's arranging my marriage to someone I would barely even know!"
Well this was certainly unexpected. I didn't think the demon would be into arranging marriages.
"Why can't you just tell him you want to choose your own husband?" I simply ask instead.
She lets out a humorless dry chuckle. "That hasn't worked, and now I'll have to attend to a ball full of men he's selected. I have to choose from one of them..I hate my life.."
"That's messed up to be honest.." I agree, shaking my head. "Why can't he allow you to choose your own husband from wherever you want?"
"I don't know why, he's stuck in the past!" She furiously stares up at the ceiling.
"It is hypocritical, considering he chose Ilona without anyone telling him who can be his girlfriend or not." I state the obvious.
"How did you end up agreeing to marry the guy your parents chose for you?" Katie questions instead. "God I can't imagine doing that but he's making me!"
Instantly I'm reminded of the horrid encounter with Hamdard Rizvi, the way Naheed manipulated me into marrying Imran just so I could be framed for Mister Mirza's murder.
"I don't want to talk about it.." I answer bleakly.
"Sorry..that was too intrusive of me.." Katie touches my arm gently before pulling her knees against her chest and glancing forlornly at her pedicured toes. "I'm worried what if I'm forced into marrying someone who will turn out to be abusive like your husband."
"Allah forbid, I doubt your brother would allow anyone to abuse you." I assure her earnestly.
The demon did come across very overprotective of his family.
Much too over protective.
I continue consolingly. "I'm sure one of those suitors may turn out to be to your liking..not like he's only giving you one option."
She shakes her head, frowning again. "And If I don't like any of them, he will choose one of them himself for me, which sucks the most !"
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