The Untainted
Silence.....
After what felt like forever which was actually 15minutes. She stopped crying. Her tear gland dried up actually.
She turned to her side and saw him, sulaimon looking at her, his expression unreadable.
Balkis looked down scared..... and ashamed of her outburst.
The fear Sulaimon saw on her face baffles him.
Are you still afraid of me? He asked her.
Did I do something to you that causes this? Can you explain now that you are... well,.....have stopped crying.
"Sir....." balkis started
"Hold on, what did you say now?"
"Sir"... l...
Wait!. Sir!. For who? Me? He asked pointing to himself, laughing hysterically.
Balkis felt shame wash over her....., like it doubles over at that moment.
"Can you stop joking around. I am just a little older than you!. Why will you use sir for me. That's hilarious." He told her, still smiling.
I.....l...ehm.... Mr Sulaimon, I am sorry for any inconveniency.
I didnt know you before, it's just an accidental meeting and I never plan to go overboard, please kindly forgive me. This won't happen again, I promise...she rushed her words.
Sorry, can I know your name first? Sulaimon asked suddenly, cutting her off. Not liking were her words were going.
My name? Why are..
Wait. It's just to know what to call you and I mean no harm, in fact I'm surprised at your outburst just now because I could have left you stranded but I decided to bring you here, it's all on my own, so why will you take a blame for my decision. Rest assured, l didn't touch you through out your sleep and even till now I have been keeping my distance if you notice, so why are you afraid of me. I don't think you know me somewhere before or do you?
"It's not you." Her voice came out smaller.
"My family?" Sulaimon pressed again.
"No. No. Not at all." She quickly waved.
Sulaimon mind raced with different reasons but couldn't get one. Then suddenly his mind snapped.
"Wait!, have you been wrongly treated by someone like me before?! Someone from my kind of background?!" The question came out like a statement, a fact, like he's sure of it.
"I..l...no...its..." then she started crying, the drink still pushing in her system making her spill out all her grievances.
Sulaimon watched her break down again and this felt..... different. It was agonizing for him to watch her break down like that, like someone revisiting the past horror.
He waited till she's calm before talking.
"I'm sorry if my questions brought back some bad memories but be assured.....I'm not like that person...I will never look down on you because...I wasn't trained that way." He makes sure to put emphasis with every stop in between his speech.
Let's get you home. But firstly, let me have your number. I promise to get back to you later and pls don't reject my call or you will see me in your house. I am serious. We need to talk.
Balkis wanted to reject but when she sees his serious face, she knows she cant. She gave him her number reluctantly. At least he looks and act decent which gives her a good impression of him.
So he drive her home after.
***********
Faridat what is wrong with your brother? Is he seeing someone now?! Faridat mum asked the third morning after the visit to Rihannat house.
What! No mum. Why do you say that?
Your brother has been behaving like a lost puppy for some days now, it was totally different from the version of him when you just vacated. Is something going on that you are hiding from us.
Mum (sighs) Maybe you should ask him, I can't say anything unless he tells you himself.
But I have a question for you mum. " will you reject him if he brings a poor girl home as a wife ?"
What are you saying? why will we do that? We have all we need already and we dont need business connection. Allah has already given us what we need so why should we deprive our only son of his happiness if that is what his heart chose?!
Faridat, are you saying he's inlove with a girl?! She exclaimed happily.
Oh my Lord, l am blessed.
Who is she? what is her name and why is your brother like this? Is it because o f her? Did she reject your brother because of us? Is she in your school? can you take me to her house?
Mum! Please I beg you with Allah, don't go to her house. She will run away from me. Basit who was coming to faridat room for something was happy when she heard her words about accepting the girl he chose so far he is happy. She doesn't care whether she's rich or poor.
"I love you mum." He hugged her tightly "but you can't visit her now, she doesn't know about my feelings..... she doesn't want to.... " the words choked him. Please.... his voice trembled.
"Come sit." His mum pulled him to sit in faridat bed. Tell me everything boy." She commanded.
Basit narrated everything to his mother. And the woman looked shocked. "Since your first semester?" You hide this, alone.... why didn't you tell me? Poor boy." She pulled him closer, hugged him and pat his back.
"It will be fine inshallah. Trust Allah, he will do the best for you. You won't wait in vain my son. Allah won't disappoint you, keep your faith stronger. If she's yours, she will accept you and if she's not..., keep praying." His mother said as he pat his head while basit rested his head on her shoulder. His safe haven.
Faridat looked at her brother, feeling a strange pain for him while her mind also wandered to ridwan who has been avoiding her for a while now. Two ill fated lovers.
********
What a pitiful soul, boy.!!! Why is basit and his sister's love life like this?! So sad😥