A FAMILY THAT IS UNTIED

-KANDI APPLE-

Mujahid and I went back to his house. I made sure I gave him all the pleasures of a loving wife. Then I cooked him dinner according to his religious diet. He had laid the rules down when it came to preparing his meals. No pork. I found it strange for him to say that to me when he was clearly at the casinos having a drink. Yet, who I am to judge. I married a man for money. I guess that makes me a gold digger.

So I made him chili that consisted of turkey. As he sat down, his face lit up. He shoveled more into his mouth quicker than a wanted man running from the police.

"What is this?"

"It is called chili. It is my uncles' recipe."

"He must be a good cook!" He replied as he scooped up a spoon full and shoved it into his mouth.

"He used to own a restaurant before he got sick to run it."

"What happened?'

"He suffered a stroke," I replied as I watched Mujahid shovel more chili into his mouth. Oh God, he chews with his mouth open. Something that is a turn-off for me but I will work with him.

"Slow down and close your mouth when eating. You'll get indigestion."

"Can't help it!" He replied as he shoveled another spoonful into his mouth before swallowing the last food in his mouth. "You're hopeless," I said with a smile.

"Hey, do you mind taking me somewhere when you are done eating? I have some business to take care of today."

"Where are you going?"

"I need to stop by the nursing home to visit my uncle."

"Sure! I can take you once I stop by the warehouse to see the progress of the remodeling. I can take you."

"Thank you!"

"Anything for you!" He said with affection. The way it sounded, he was in love. I hope he does not complicate things by catching feelings. This marriage is only temporary.

The next morning I packed a big bowl of chili and some oyster crackers into a plastic bag. I made sure to wear clothes that represented that I was in a Muslim marriage by covering my body as if I was a Muslim woman.

Mujahid and I were on our way. As he said, he stopped at his warehouse. Once he was done doing business there, we went to the retirement home where my uncle was staying. Mujahid found a spot in the parking lot. As I was about to get out, Mujahid started to get out of the 2018 BMW.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"I am going with you," Mujahid replied.

"I don't think it is a good idea."

"Why! We are married. It is only proper that I meet your family."

"Mujahid, we talked about this. Our marriage isn't a real marriage."

"It is real, even if we are temporarily married."

"Well, whatever this marriage is, I don't think it's a good idea to meet my uncle. When he asks who you are, what are we going to say? "Oh, this is my temporary husband."

"Why are you acting like this? You are my wife?"

"Yes, a wife who has restrictions on clients knowing about her private life."

"You are being unreasonable," Mujahid bolstered.

"Would you introduce me to your father knowing the nature of our relationship," I asked? Mujahid was silent.

"Exactly. So why don't you stay here and I'll be back." I replied. Mujahid had a sad look on his face. "I am sorry to have to be so cold, but our relationship is what it is." Mujahid started to sulk, which made me feel bad.

"Come here," I went to him and cupped his face in my hand and turned it towards me. I planted a big kiss with my plum-colored lips in which lightened his mood.

"Hey, I got an idea. You have been working too hard. You need to relax. Let's go to the movies."

"I can't. I have some paperwork that I have to take care of."

"Okay! That can wait! Come on. Let's go for me," I begged with a puppy dog face. Mujahid chuckled a bit.

"Alright. I guess I can use some time to get away."

"I knew you would see it my way. We can go after I get back. Wait here!" I replied

"How long will you be?"

"Maybe an hour."

"Alright!" He replied. I planted a kiss on his cheek before exiting the car.

I made my way inside the Story Point Chesterfield Living Apartments. I went to the bathroom that was open to the public. I took off my coat to remove the Muslim garb. Underneath, I had a sweater and blue jeans. I entered the building to check-in at the security station. I received a visitor's badge and went to the elevator to the 8th floor, where I went to my uncle's apartment in apartment. I took the key out of my purse to my uncle's apartment to gain access. When I walked, he turned his head and smiled.

"Hey, there's my jelly bean," He smiled as an oxygen tube led from his nose to his oxygen tank. This 73-year-old man always brought a smile to my face. He raised me since I was twelve after my parents were killed in an attempted robbery. Since then, my uncle raised me.

"Hey, uncle. How are you?"

"You know me! Just making it."

"Have you taken your medication today?"

"Yeah, the nurse was by earlier."

"I am glad to hear. Hey, I have some chili for you."

"Aww! Baby girl, thanks! Did you make it the way I taught you?"

"And you know it!" I replied as I put the bowl in the microwave to warm up the chili. When I was done, I walked over to my uncle and sat next to him.

"You came to hang with me for a while."

"I can't. Hey, I have to tell you something."

"What is it, baby girl?"

"I recently accepted a job out of town! For a few months."

"That's great! Where are you going? Multiple places."

"Well wherever you go, make sure you let me know where you are at. It is a crazy world out there."

"I know. You always tell me that."

When the microwave beeped, I went over and grabbed the big bowl of chili and oyster crackers. I set it in front of my uncle. I never saw him smile like that in a while

"Well, I better get going.

Before I left, I went back to the bathroom and put on my Muslim garb. I stopped by the management office to pay for my Uncle to pay rent six months in advance. $7200 would have been a problem two years ago.

When I was done, I got into the car with Mujahid. I attempted to talk to him, but he was on the phone. He looked at me with a frustrated look on his face as he put his index finger to his lips, signaling me to be quiet. I knew it must have been something serious. When he got off the phone, he had a worried look.

"What is it?"

"My father wants me to come home. He says he has urgent business to discuss with me.''