Chapter 32: Boundaries Broken.

Sunlight shone through the curtains as she slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes squint shut, trying to ward off sunlight that filtered through the curtains. Ultimately, Bushra gave and sat up. She was so tired that she slept through the whole morning after she had gone back to sleep after Subhi prayer.
Beside her bed, on the side drawer was a piece of paper with a hand-written note, alongside a pack of registered sim. Her lips quivered upwards—she knew it was from him.
‘You can use the sim to call home and also your best friend. And use the intercom in the living room to order breakfast.'
She drops the note and instantly took the sim pack and switched her sim with the new one. It was already registered—he did it again. How could she ever thank this man enough?
She called Aunty first and they talked for a while before she dialed Madina's number. 'Bushra? Is that you? It has to be you—it's an international number from New York," Madina spoke breathlessly. Now she couldn't agree more when Mahir said she talked too much. 'Will you just give me a chance to speak? And how did you know I traveled?"
Madina chuckled happily. 'Yasmin told me about the surprise. Oh Ya Allah, I never knew your husband could be that romantic. How was the trip?" Madina spoke ceaselessly. She was thrilled, Bushra could tell by her ecstatic voice.
'Okay, was I the only one that didn't know about the trip until I was at the airport? Y'all knew but didn't say anything, so unfair." Bushra stated, feigning hurt. She was glad no one told her because she loved the surprise, and if she could go back to exactly when he announced their destination and how he smiled at her, she'd go back over and over again with hesitation.
'Duh, where's the fun in that? Besides, it was a surprise and it worked, right?" Madina exclaimed. 'Heck, yes! It really did. He booked us a five-star hotel called The Mark Penthouse Hotel. The suite is implausible stunning and when I say luxury, I mean back to back. We freaking have a sauna, a gigantic balcony to watch the city. Oh, and he freaking gave me the master bedroom, Madina! It's so big that I was afraid to sleep in at first!" Bushra was as overjoyed as Madina sounded. They both squealed at the same time and Madina insists they change it to video call. Bushra agreed without hesitation and she showed her around the whole suite.
An hour later, they ended the call and Bushra finally ordered Lunch as it was already past 12noon. She had her shower before the servers bring up her food.
She was in the living room, watching TV when her phone chimed—it was Mahir. Her heart skipped a beat and she instantly felt embarrassed. She should be the one calling him first. 'Hello," she mouthed to the phone.
'Hey, You're finally up. I've called a few times before but it wasn't available so I figured you were still sleeping." It sounded so strange. Knowing they scarcely talk on phone makes it sound self-conscious. She shifted uncomfortable in her seat. She heard a soft knock alongside a female voice—it was her food. 'Oh, yes. Sorry, I should've called when I inserted the sim but I was a bit active speaking with Madina," she said, making her way to the door. She opened it, and a white lady in her late twenties smiled at her as she introduced herself. Bushra urged her in and she rolled in the cart of food and arranged it at the dining area before she left.
'Your best friend, huh? It's okay, and I can sense that you're about to have your brunch. I'm at work now and I won't be back until late in the night. Someone will come pick you up at 3pm and take you to your sister's place. I figured you'd be bored sitting alone and waiting for me."
Her heart warms up—it was a kind gesture. And she didn't know if to be scared by how much he's ramming her with kindness or happy that he was slightly less domineering. 'Thank you," she said softly. It was the only thing she could say to him.
'I have to go now. I left my card on the side drawer in my room. Use it, in case you guys want to do some shopping. I'll text you the pin. Just, don't stay out late." And he was back—she rolled her eyes. He was staying out late but she couldn't do the same? He clearly knew wherever it was, she'd be with her sister. He ended the call before she could retort—she was glad he did. Because she didn't exactly know what to say to him.
She tossed the phone across the sofa and got to her feet. She settled down at the dining area, ready to eat. Her stomach groaned when she came across the extravagances she ordered. 'Perfect," she murmured to herself and started eating.
**
Peter is the name of her driver. He had just dropped her off at Yasmin's place and left, not forgetting to give her his number to call when she's done. He was a nice man—energetic and merry. She enjoyed the ride from the hotel to her Yasmin's place.
He told her how he has been Alhaji Adam's driver for years, since when Mahir was young and they've lived in New York for couple of years before they moved back to Nigeria.
She never knew of that.
Bushra made her way to the entrance and knocked, Yasmin opened the door and squealed immediately she sighted her sister. 'You're finally here," she exclaimed, hugging Bushra.
They enter the house and went straight to the backyard, where Yasmin claimed she was making barbecue. 'You weren't joking when you said it," Bushra said in skepticism. 'Since when did you know how to cook meat using raw fire? Last time I checked; Mubarak always did that."
Yasmin shoulder shrugs as she made her way to the electric barbecue griller. 'Oh, relax. It's electric, I can't start up a fire and start barbecuing—I'm not crazy." She rolled her eyes afterwards. Bushra brushes it off and settled down on the hammock, beside Adila's stroller. She was sleeping and she couldn't help but wake her up to just to hold her. 'I'll put her back to sleep later, I promise," Bushra said before Yasmin objected. She shoulder-shrug and went back to what she was doing.
An hour later, Yasmin was through with the grilling and they headed back inside. It was already time for Asr, they prayed before eating.
'Do you know what?" Bushra started just as they made their way to the living room after eating. Adila was still wide awake after Bushra woke her up. Yasmin didn't protest—she just left her to it. 'What?"
'We should go shopping. I mean shoe shopping, dresses, baby shopping—any shopping we could possibly do." Bushra exclaimed, her lips growing from ear to ear. Before she left, she took his card as he sent her the card pin. At first, she didn't want to. She didn't feel the need to, but her conscious over powered her and her plan the craziest idea ever.
She might make him go bankrupt tonight—as if that was possible.
'All on me," she said, bringing out the card and showing it to Yasmin. She squealed and got to her feet. 'Let call Mubarak first and inform him," she said, making her way upstairs.
Half an hour later, peter arrived to take them to the best shopping malls as Bushra requested. 'I will be your tourist for the day," he spoke exuberantly as he drove them to the first shopping mall.
They spent more than 2 hours shopping and roaming about the city. And by the time they were done shopping, it was already 8pm.
They decided to stop by at Eleven Madison Park—it was a must to dine in when in New York. Peter suggested the restaurant and they both agreed without hesitation. Yasmin has been there before, whereas Bushra only agreed, knowing Peter knows 5-star places in the city.
They ordered up and waited on their food.
'I see you're really liking your stay here," Yasmin pointed out as she fixed Adila on the baby chair they offered in the restaurant. Bushra smiled sheepishly. It has been just two days, but she was enjoying every bit of their vacation—even though she hasn't seen him all day. But she was here for her sister and niece. She needn't to worry about spending time with him. It was the last thing she wanted to do nonetheless.
'I find it fairly alright," she said, brushing it off. Yasmin chuckled softly as she fixes her eyes on her sister. 'What's with the smiles then? Or is it…" Yasmin let her words trail off as she raises a brow at her. Bushra took a moment before she realized what her sister meant. 'Oh, God No! Yasmin?! What is wrong with you… I am not pregnant, I swear." She knew why Yasmin was smirking and giving her funny looks.
'What? You just look… pregnant," she blurted out. Bushra rolled her eyes. 'And how on earth do I look pregnant, Yasmin?" Bushra questioned. She couldn't help but ask. She knew nothing have come between them.
'You don't, I was just pulling your legs to see if you really are but just don't want to tell me."
Bushra chuckled softly and shook her head. 'How can I possibly hide that kind of exciting news from you, Yasmin? You'd be the first to know, before the father of the child," she spoke with declaration. Yasmin clapped her hands together like a toddler and squealed.
Bushra smiled dreamily. How could she feasibly get pregnant or have a child when she had stringently made the rules and they put a pen on it?
She wanted to tell her sister the truth—come clean to her about their marriage. But she wouldn't want to let her down. She sounds so happy for her and it was the last thing Bushra wanted to do—take that happiness away from her.
Their dinner was wheeled in and they dig in immediately. Half an hour, they were done and ready to leave.
'We better get going, it's getting late," Bushra stated, remembering how Mahir specifically told her not to stay out late. He had texted her few times, asking whether she had gone back home but she couldn't lie to him—she ignored the texts instead.
They dropped off Yasmin and Adila at home before peter took Bushra back to the hotel.
She unlocked her phone and tapped on the tapped on Mahir's name. She stared at it for a minute. She wanted to call him but a voice inside of her was telling her otherwise—she preferred the voice telling her not to. She didn't have any explanations for staying out until past nine pm. 'Hey Peter, is my husband off from work?" She asked him—she still had her eyes on her phone until the Auto-Lock goes on.
'Yes, Madam, he is. About two hours ago," he retorted, looking at her through the rear mirror. She nods her head and sink back into her seat.
She tapped her foot uneasily as they drive home and the drive home was more afflicting than actually having a thought of how Mahir might be upset with her.
They arrived shortly and Peter helped her with her shopping bags to their room. He dropped the bags on the dining table. 'Have lovely night Mrs. Mahir," he said and made his way out. She was taken aback by what Peter had said to her. he closed the door behind him and she couldn't get herself together to even reply to him before he left.
'Had fun?"
She jumped in horror and turned to his way. She heaved a long sigh, placing her hand against her chest.
'Sorry," he murmured as he strolled across the room and approached her. 'I see you went shopping," he said, looking at the tons of bags she brought home. She smiled sheepishly, remembering how much they've spent today with his card. She fetched the card out of her bag and handed it to him, 'I believe this is yours…"
He looks at it for a moment and shook his head. 'You can keep it for a while. You might need it," he said to her and brushed passed her. She watched his retreating naked back as he made his way to the balcony.
He didn't say anything about her coming home late? Or nine pm wasn't late to him?
She followed him out to clear her mortified conscious. He was standing, shirtless while he stared out the city's night view. It was tantalizing. He kept a great respectful distance from the rails. It made her muffle a laugh. She had noticed how terrified he was of heights.
She walked over to him and stood beside him. He glances at her for brief seconds and looked away.
'It's such a nice view," she pointed out, and he nodded in agreement. 'Yeah," he mouthed and they both went silent.
She hugged herself as a cold breeze upsurges over. It was freezing out there. She glances over at him, wondering how he wasn't even shaken by the cold breeze while he's shirtless. She wanted to head in and take shower but also wanted to stay and wait until he brings up the talk.
5 minutes…
15 minutes…
He never said anything—she couldn't hold any longer. 'Look, I'm sorry for coming home late. I lost track of time when we went shopping and…" she pauses just as he pulled her in and caught her by surprise. She didn't pull away.
'I'm not mad at you, okay?" He assured her, stroking her arm. She closed her eyes as she shuddered. It felt so right at the wrong time. She wanted to pull out of his body and leave—a part of her wanted to stay.
Somehow, he took away her worries and made her feel safe. She stay that way closed her eyes and embraced the moment. And before she could have another thought, his longs arms circled her, making their way around her back.
She loops her arms around his torso, sinking into his touch; sparks flying, heart fluttering, emotions building.
'Mrs. Mansur," he calls out softly. She hesitates before looking up at him. He held a stoic look and she couldn't read his expression. He stared back at her—having miscellaneous thoughts.
'About our boundaries…" he started. She has been focusing so much on his face that she has missed the last part of what he was telling her. She tip-toed and inched closer, and felt as he hugged her closer.
He brought his hand up to cup her cheek, his thumb running along the curve of her cheekbone. She nestled into his hand, feeling his warmth seep into hers. His eyes gazed upon her lips. He leaned in and captured her lips in a tender kiss, possessing her inner soul. His soft, caress melted her heart.