Murat was a workaholic they said.
But she didn't know it was to this extent that he keeps working even in the wee hours of the night. She was scrolling through her Instagram feed, bored out of her mind. It was two a.m. at midnight and she can't fall asleep easily and with so many lights on, sleeping is out of the question for her. She loves to sleep in the dark but her husband doesn't. He even has sparkling neon star stickers pasted on the walls above which keeps the bedroom illuminated even after the lights are turned off. She wanted them gone so badly though.
But a relationship is all about compromises. And she was willing to adjust, even if it gets on her nerves sometimes.
"How long are you going to work?" She asked with annoyance. He hasn't even talked to her properly today.
Murat has left early in the morning and came back at around eight in the night. And started working on something right after eight-thirty. This has been his routine for the last one week, ever since that important call which told him that he's supposed to leave the country for five weeks straight.
"I'm trying to wrap up everything before stepping into the next project, Mashal," was his response. His eyes never once left the laptop, causing her more irritation.
She was starting to feel ignored and neglected. After a month of having his undivided attention, even with hectic schedules and to see him suddenly so coped up with work was not a good feeling. She hated every bit of it and the reflection was showing in her job.
Mashal's superior has yelled at her three times today because she failed to do simple tasks. She wasn't used to getting yelled at. But the real world was so cruel. It doesn't care if you were pampered all your life, they treat you however they want if they have the authority. It made her want to quit her job already for it was too much for her.
It's been almost two and half months since she started working and Mashal started to appreciate every little thing that was provided to her by her family every day. She has seen people working days and nights, harder than her just to have a little bit of the luxurious lifestyle that she lives in. She doesn't even have to work for they have enough wealth to survive a lifetime but it was her wish to do something. To stand up on her own feet. That wasn't an easy task so far.
She thought it'd be fun but newsflash, it wasn't.
The ping in her notification snapped Mashal back to reality. It was two-thirty now, Murat was still not yet done. What the hell was so interesting about that laptop, she couldn't comprehend.
"You barely talked with me today," she complained to him whilst trying to hold his hands. He removed her hands and frowned at the screen.
"I'm busy, Mashal. This one needs my attention right now. They made a lot of mistakes, we should be realising this add soon this week," Came his expressionless response.
Mashal huffed before getting up from the bed and grabbed her pillow and blanket, it was theirs actually. He doesn't look like he'd sleep, so she's taking it now.
"Where are you going?" Her actions made him pause as he eyed her quizzically.
"Now you're not busy, huh?" She glared at her husband. She was surprised he even noticed her actions.
"I'm trying to wrap it up today so that we could spend some time tomorrow before I'll leave. Please try to understand, Mashal" Murat replied exasperatedly. He was exhausted from all the work he did last week. It was hectic would be an understatement. And to top of it, he has some other headache to take care of. Something he didn't even want to think about but he was dreading it already.
"So now I'm wasting your time?" Mashal's periods always brings the worst out of her and she's an emotional mess today. After getting yelled at by her superior and being ignored by her husband, she has the worst day ever and her emotions were all over the place.
"What's wrong with you, Mashal? It's not like I'm having fun doing all of this. I'm tired as well. But this needs to be done," he eyed his laptop and then at her.
She frowned at him for one last time before storming out of there as she slammed the door shut loudly.
Murat watched her disappearing figure with confusion all over his face. He scowled at the door as she shut it close loudly. It took him a moment to compose himself before he got up to follow her, she has locked herself in the guest room downstairs. He didn't understand why was she showing so much attitude all of a sudden.
He knocked at the door but there was no response from her for five minutes straight, "you're being unreasonable and childish, Mashal. Open the door."
Not even two seconds passed by and the door was unlocked automatically and his wife stood there, looking furious and mad, "I'm being unreasonable, huh? Do you remember the last time we both sat together and ate something? When did you last have breakfast with me? Dinner is a lost cause anyway. Even while eating you'd be doing something on the phone. And when was the last time you talked with me properly? You have been so unreasonable and stupid. Always working. Working and working. I felt so damn neglected and ignored in the last week."
She yelled at him whilst fighting off her tears.
Murat looked taken aback by her reasoning. He didn't know he was behaving this way until she started pointing them out and he was not finding the right words to justify his actions because there is nothing to explain.
"You have been like this for the past one week and I was extremely patient and understanding. You pushed all my limits today. Don't you dare accuse me of being childish and unreasonable, because I am not." Mashal muttered furiously before slamming the door on his face again and wiping off her tears that rolled down unknowingly.
She heard the door knock again. Deciding to ignore him, she eyed the bedroom. It wasn't as big as their room upstairs but was quite okay. The walls were painted in a combination of pastel colours, giving it a vibrant vibe. She fell in love with it at the first sight and decided to make it her writing corner.
Murat gave her the permission to redecorate it however she wanted and she has been working on this room ever since. And with him gone to work most of the time, she had more time to concentrate on the interiors.
The outcome was brilliant to say the very least. She had set up her laptop table aesthetically and her legs took her automatically to the table and sat on the chair comfortably.
In no time, she was working on something. Her fingers began to swiftly type the words which came out inflow. Never in her life, she has been so inspired to write something. And she loved that feeling. She loved writing. It is something she enjoyed a lot.
Ten minutes passed by and she observed how silent it became now. Her heart sank knowing he gave up too soon. She shrugged those thoughts away and continued to write her new chapter. It was filled with so much angst.
Her fingers paused for a fraction of seconds as she felt the doorknob twist open on its own. How could he unlock it? She wondered with confusion and realisation dawns upon her that it was his home and he has all the keys.
An unknown corner of the heart felt happy that he came in search of her.
But she continued to work on the new chapter and ignored his presence around her. Being a writer was so much more fun than being a graphic designer. Mashal wanted to go back to being a full-time writer, it didn't pay much at least she had some fun.
"What are you doing at this hour?" His voice made her grip the handrest of the chair as he came to stand beside her. She was still very furious at his behaviour and wanted him to know that, so she ignored him again and continued where she paused.
"I'm busy. Can't you see? I don't have time to talk with you," she knew she was being passive-aggressive but Mashal couldn't help herself.
"Mashal, I'm sorry." Murat tried to get her attention but was only met with silence and ignorance and for the first time that night, he understood what it is to be in her shoes. He felt worse with each passing second. His guilty conscience was eating his mind.
"You can't even take two minutes of my ignorance, how do you think I have survived the last one week, huh?" She slammed her laptop close and glared at her ignorant husband. He blinked, taken aback. It was hard to ignore his presence any longer and began to vent out all her anger.
"I know it's all my fault, can't you forgive me, this one time?" He sat on his knees and held her hands. She tried to pull it back but couldn't herself to do that. Her stupid heart was already melting at his charms.
"You were so distant and busy. Didn't even have breakfast with me." She pouted annoyedly, he came forward to peck that pout but she placed her palms on top of her mouth, making him kiss her hands.
"You have been bad. No kisses for you," she huffed and turned her face away.
Murat gave her a sad look in return, "I'm sorry I hurt you so much. I didn't even realise I was doing that. Work was just too much. I was going away for five weeks. I need to finish the pending works, Shortcake."
Her heart melted all at once. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. It felt like ages since they last hugged.
"You didn't even hug me goodbyes last week," he lifted her at once as she wrapped her legs around his waist and hugged him more tightly, "tomorrow I'm going to spend the whole day with you, only you. No phones or laptops, I promise." Switching off the lights in the guest room, he closed the door shut and carried her upstairs. She buried her face against his chest, breathing unevenly. He could feel wetness on his shirt. Was she crying?
How could you do this to her? His heart accused him and he started regretting all his actions that has caused her to cry like this. He was already failing as a husband.
"Promise?" She sniffed, turning very emotional.
"Promise, no phone or laptop. I'm all yours tomorrow." He kissed her head lovingly. She just hummed in response, feeling sleepy.
"I guess I left my pillow and blanket back there," she muttered as he dropped her back on their bed, he nodded whilst removing the laptop from the bed lest she gets annoyed again.
Mashal missed being in arms almost immediately. It was crazy how much she has longed for his attention in the last few days.
"You sleep on top of me anyway, I'll get the blankets." He chuckled at her adorable pout.
"Don't go, I'll miss you." She admitted sleepily as she clasped his hands.
His heart skipped a beat at her confession. He didn't realise how much they've come to depend upon each other in such a short span of time. He did miss her. But he had a bad habit of getting completely involved in something once he gets in the mood. That's what has happened last week. He was in the mood to work and nothing seemed to stop him. What a fool he had been.
Murat made a mental note to himself to never repeat this again. His wife should be his first priority and nothing else should be more important anyway, "I'm not going anywhere, Mashal." He joined her on the bed and kissed her forehead gently whilst gathering her in his arms.
She came closer and snuggled into him, he was so warm and comfortable to snuggle with. This was something they always did. Even in his busy schedule, they've snuggled every day. A small smile played on her lips at the end.
"Did we just have our first fight?" Murat looked down at her, with a smile of his own. She nodded with a small chuckle.
"Yes. We should celebrate and post it on social media, hashtag first fight..." Mashal laughed but added, "I was joking though. Can I post you on my Instagram, Murat?"
"Why are you asking my permission?" He drew random patterns on her shoulders making her shiver.
"Because I respect your privacy and all. I want to know if you'd be okay with being shown off as my husband?" She questioned curiously.
"I'd be flattered to be known as your husband. You have my permission and you can post whatever you want," Murat replied, he felt her smile widely against his chest. His heart skipped a beat.
And for the first time since his marriage, he remembered his ex-girlfriend suddenly. She was someone who lived for social media. Eliza never asked him for consent before posting his pictures but Mashal did. What a contrast they both were. He doesn't know about others but for him, it was a big deal.
He now understood why Eliza posted those many pictures of them both once upon a time. She loved the fame that came along with it. She was literally using his good looking face all this time. And he felt sick knowing how he himself used to enjoy being famous like that. Which left him in nothing but regret anyway.
They had a great fan following on the internet actually. They were the power couple in the modelling industry and so many were left heartbroken when they both broke up. They all still hoped that he and Eliza would get back together. Like that would ever happen.
But it was his own actions that have caused him to be in this position today. He didn't know how to get out of this stupid dating mess. Sleep overtook his eyes as he held his wife tightly, who slept like a baby. Without care of this world.
***
The bright rays of sunshine peeked inside their room, waking Mashal from her deep slumber. She had a content look on her face as she slept well after a long time. Her hands goes to search for her husband but he wasn't there in the bed.
His side of the bed was cold. Which meant he was up for a while now. A frown etched on her face thinking he has already started working.
"Why did he promise to spend the whole day with me if he was going to work anyway?" She huffed whilst getting down from the bed and goes to brush her teeth.
With an annoyed mood, she walked downstairs and was pleasantly surprised to find her handsome husband cooking something in a shirtless state. Her whole mood seem to have taken a flip as the annoyance was replaced with shyness with every step she took.
Mashal has seen her husband in shirtless stat countless times. But she turns red and shy every single time. He had a physique that makes you drool without a blink of an eye.
Her heart pounded against her ribcage as she back hugged him, she felt him freeze for a moment before he continued to cook. She shivered slightly as her skin came in contact with all those abs. There was a burning sensation throughout her body as she placed her face against his back while her hands tightened their hold around his waist. She could see he was equally affected by this closeness. That thought made her toes curl.
"I thought you started working already," she whispered softly and heard him laugh. Gosh! His laugh. She loved hearing them.
"I'm a man of my words, Shortcake. I don't break promises." She hummed, feeling satisfied.
"Are we seriously going with that nickname? I thought you were joking." Mashal smiled, holding onto him tightly. The fact was he's leaving tomorrow and her heart wasn't at peace for some weird reason.
"Yes. You love that, so why not?" Murat chuckled as he stirred something on the stove and poured it into a cup. He tried to untangle her hands and she left him reluctantly.
She had an adorable pout as he turned to face her, he bent down and pecked her pout turning her red. With a grin, he gave her a cup of coffee.
"I'm sorry for ignoring you last week and for making you cry. It wasn't my intention. I'll try not to repeat it again," Murat apologized genuinely as she beamed at the coffee mug.
"You made coffee for me!" Mashal exclaimed happily as she took the cup and sipped it excitedly. Her beam widened as she tasted it again and gave him a one-arm hug, "this is delicious. Best coffee I've ever had."
"I'm glad," he wrapped his arms around her waist and dropped a kiss on her head. She nuzzled into his hold, feeling content. This was something she missed greatly in the last week. But it made her sad knowing he won't be there tomorrow.
"Can't I come with you?" Her voice was barely a whisper this time.
"I wish I could take you, but you recently took so many leaves. I don't want to be a hindrance in your professional life," was his response. He sounded bitter though. It made her feel better knowing he'd be missing her equally.
"Call me every night." She ordered him with a pout as they broke apart.
"Yes. Every single day. I'm going to miss you so much," Murat smiled sadly.
"I wish I didn't leave but this is important for my company. A huge deal actually. This brand is very picky with whom they chose as advertisers." He added with a fond smile.
"I'm super proud of you, Masha Allah." She grinned whilst sipping her coffee. Her legs take her to the dining table and a surprised gasp left her lips as she noticed a variety of breakfast placed there.
"Wow. When did you wake up exactly?" She asked while he pulled a chair for her. With a grin, she took her seat and he began to fill their plates.
"I woke for Fajr, and couldn't fall asleep after that. I wanted to spend this whole day with you and I haven't been cooking anything lately. So thought I'd surprise you with my wonderful cooking," he chuckled whilst taking a seat beside her and passed the plate to her.
"I'm very surprised. And this is so sweet." Mashal sipped her coffee as he ate his breakfast. Her husband ate a lot. It wasn't all that surprising anyway. His huge body needs to be fed. And he sometimes annoys her with his picky needs for healthy food. She tried her best to give him only the best.
"And thank you so much for putting up with my picky eating nature. My mother isn't very fond of it." Murat chuckled as he continued eating.
It was a whole-wheat sandwich with lean meat and low-fat cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and sweet peppers.
Such a health freak.
Hers was simple and yet delicious-looking vermicelli. Her mouth watered just at the sight of it. He was indeed a great cook. She missed eating his cooking.
"Chris wanted to meet up today before I leave," Murat added as he finished eating while Mashal just began. She tensed at the mention of his best friend.
"He wanted to ask me out at The Berries that night," she added with a small frown remembering how Murat advised his friend that he could do so much better because she was boring looking.
"Are you sad that you're stuck with this boring looking woman for all your life?" She teased him.
Murat tensed at the memory of that night. It was during a time when he was burning with jealousy seeing Eliza and Kaif dance together. He hated every second of it. It didn't bother him all that much now like it used to once upon a time.
"I didn't mean it, you're gorgeous. I actually wanted Chris to stay away from you, that's another reason." He explained briefly.
"Yes. I hope he stays away. I don't like him all that much anyway." Mashal added as she gulped her water.
"He will don't worry. He is a flirt, but Chris knows better than to mess with my woman." Heat raised on her cheeks at those words. Her heartbeats raised as she gazed at him fondly.
"You know I used to not like you during those days. I would wonder why are all the handsome guys the douches." She chuckled softly.
"My behaviour at that time wasn't very likeable, so I understand." His normal self would have teased her endlessly about the handsome comment but he didn't. Mashal knew something was wrong.
"Are you okay?" She touched his forearm, worriedly.
He shook his head distractedly, thinking something deeply. She just lets him be.
Mashal knows when to give someone space and Murat seemed like he wanted some. So she will give him space.
Their morning was spent together happily and peacefully.
And then came the hard part.
Packing Murat's clothes.
Mashal eyed the empty suitcase and then at all the outfits that were scattered on their bed. With a pout, she went and sat inside the suitcase, because she was tiny, it fit her so well.
"Look at you," he burst out laughing as she crossed her arms and pouted cutely.
"Why can't you send someone else for this job?"
He leaned down and scooped her in his arms, swiftly. She gasped whilst holding onto his neck as her legs automatically go to wrap around his waist. He gave her a burning look that sent shivers down her spine. His eyes showed nothing but raw emotions.
Her breath hitched as he kissed her neck.
"You're making this hard," he whispered huskily, "trust me, it's not easy for me as well."
She cupped his face and looked into his deep black eyes, which gazed back at her with intense desire. She could feel her heart thump hard as she leaned in and placed her lips in his. He kissed her back, just as eagerly. Their lips moved in sync. Theirs breathings became uneven as they kissed wildly.
"I'll try my best to wrap it up quickly and come back sooner, Insha Allah." He breathed against her lips before capturing them again.
"Thank you,"
After the heated up make-out session, Mashal helped him with the packing. Her eyes fell on a camera that he has placed on the bed, with a grin she picked it up and began to check it out.
"Give it here," he literally snatched the camera back from her but that slipped out of her hold and fell down. The lens cracked in the process.
"Oh my god." She cupped her mouth in shock.
"Can't you keep your hands to yourself," he snapped at her whilst taking the camera in his hands.
"Murat, what the hell? I just touched it. You pulled it back and caused this." Mashal argued.
"Please keep quiet," he snapped again, checking the broken lens furiously.
She blinked, taken off guard.
"You're behaving as if I broke your ex-girlfriend's gift or something, Murat."
He froze at those words.
"I want to be alone for some time, please." He asked monotonously.
"Seriously? What is wrong with you? It was just a camera."
"It wasn't just a camera. You're being the insensitive one here. Please leave me alone," he snapped rudely and walked out of the bedroom as he threw the camera on the bed.
Mashal couldn't comprehend what the heck just happened.
Tears welled up in her eyes unknowingly. She didn't know why, but his words had the ability to wreck her heart. It was crazy how much effect he has on her.
But she was hurt.
So badly.