It was only right that Kendra cherish and honor Maura like the queen of the palace they had built on a foundation of love for God's sake. Maura was the complete package, meeting the Islamic criteria for an ideal partner: wealth, beauty, a good family, and strong faith. She had it all!
Maura's parents had also financed the construction of the hotel Kendra now owned and managed. Maura's father was a high-ranking official in the council building, while her mother was a skilled businesswoman whose company had already gone international. Building a magnificent five-star hotel had been no difficult task for them.
There had been no lengthy debate, let alone months of deliberation, before Maura's parents immediately agreed to Kendra's request to have a hotel built. At the time, they were not yet married because Maura had not graduated from college. But they were officially engaged and would marry as soon as Maura graduated.
“Assalamu’alaikum, Honey!” Kendra walked in after parking his car in the house's carport.
“Wa’alaikumsalam, Honey.” Maura approached and respectfully kissed Kendra's hand.
“Sorry. I’m a little late. I—” He had almost told her about his meeting with Alissa.
“What is it?”
“I had to take care of something with Ms. Amala for a bit.”
Kendra went straight upstairs to their bedroom on the second floor. A pair of shorts, a T-shirt, and underwear were already laid out on the bed. Maura never forgot to prepare a change of clothes for Kendra. She was probably making his favorite lychee tea now, then waiting in the living room as usual.
He intended to shower right away. But what could he do when Kendra's eyes caught sight of a notification on his cell phone? In the end, he lay down. He figured it wouldn't hurt to relax for a moment, since the message was important—it was from ... Alissa.
[I miss you, even though we just saw each other.]
A faint smile inevitably appeared at the corner of Kendra's lips. This woman was something else. He was a married man. With Alissa's beauty and intelligence—not to mention her success in building her business—it surely wouldn't be difficult for her to find a man far more qualified than Kendra.
[I think ... we shouldn't ever see each other again, Al. I'm married, you know. Find a good man who will love you for the rest of your life. I'll pray for you.]
Kendra didn't want to get trapped by his feelings. His heartbeat had already become erratic whenever he was with her. Kendra was afraid. He couldn't let his old love ruin his marriage just because she had reappeared in his life.
[I want you!]
Instead of giving up, Alissa sent another message along with a photo not long afterward. Her lovely face wore a teenage pout as she brought her index finger and thumb together to form a heart aimed at the camera. She was unbelievably adorable! Without realizing it, Kendra puckered his lips too, as though returning the woman's kiss.
Astaghfirullah! This is the devil's temptation! Oh, God, if the devil were as beautiful as Alissa, would I really be able to keep refusing her? Should I just block her number? Kendra wondered to himself.
[I can't, Al. I'm sorry.]
Fortunately, Kendra's fingers could still compromise with his common sense. He didn't respond with “I love you” or “I miss you.” The earth could shake and the wind could blow us away. A smart man turns down his ex!
Kendra hurriedly tossed his phone onto the nightstand, then went into the bathroom. A warm tingling had begun spreading through his chest, stomach, and lower body. He needed to put it to sleep immediately. No—cool it down.
Standing beneath the shower as torrents of cold water poured over him, Kendra hoped they would bring him back to his senses.
Alissa was nobody. She was only an alumna of his heart, and there could never be another reunion! Kendra shouted the words as loudly as he could in his heart.