Subtle Souls

n an hour or so, the path will dry up and the trees will spring up, their water weight gone. Breathing in the fresh air and feeling it on his face is tonic for Muhsin after the oppressive sum

to a nearby restaurant to eat. He was tired of going to his parents house to eat because his mother wouldn't stop complaining about Amira. His mother was right since day one when she warned him about her. Amira's mother was her close friend as Amira's father was his father's closest friend which made them like a family. He settled down in the restaurant and ordered his dinner. He checked the time on his phone. It was passed 9pm. He rubbed his eyes and sighed. He was distressed. He felt dead inside. Everything felt dry and empty. His throat felt as if someone thrust a handful of itching powder inside. His eyes were scruffy. The waiter finally brought his dinner and arranged it on the table. He looked down at the food plate, leaning back. He suddenly lost the appetite to eat. He ate few spoons, paid for his bill and left the building. He went back home and even though he was exhausted, he fixed his room and had his bath before moving to his desk to complete some office work. ** The next morning, he woke up for subh and took his bath. He performed ablution before dressing up and heading out to the mosque. He came back home a bit later to get ready for work. He stopped by her room and peeped through the door to check if she has woken up to pray but she was still underneath the comfort of her mattress. He heaved a sigh as he made his way to her bed and wake her up. "Amira, wake up, it's passed prayer time," he muttered slowly dragging the blanket away. "Muhsin don't even start with your nonsense now, it's too early." She hissed an turned her back on him. He smiled bitterly and shook his head. "You know there is no way I would come to your room filled with dirt to ask for anything. You should get up and pray then you can sleep all you want," he stated before he sashayed out of the room. She sat upright and glared at the door before she hissed loudly and got off the bed. He got dressed in his elegant suit and stepped out of the room. He made his way to the kitchen but the view discouraged him to make his coffee. He exhaled and breezed out of the house. He checked the time, it was even too early to start going to work as he was the CEO of the company. He got into his car and drove to his parents house. His mother was in the kitchen making breakfast for the house. "Aunty, Jam bandu na (good morning,)" he greeted as he gave her a side hug. She looked up at his face and smiled. "Muhsin? How are you and your wife? Ta'a viya am a wari nyamugo nyamdu on (Don't tell me you're here to take your breakfast,)" she asked in dismay. He settled down on the dinning chair which was in the kitchen before he responded. "Aunty, it's too early to start going to work now that's why I decided to branch here before going to work," he explained. "Amma mi'andi a nyamai (But I know you have not eaten.)" He smiled and scratched the back of his head. "May Allah make it easy for you," she muttered and continued cooking. His father and younger brother came in afterwards and they had breakfast together before he left for work. ** She walked into her mother's room infuriated and settled down on her couch. Her mother looked up and stared her, waiting to hear what happened this time. "Mommy I am starting to get fed up by what he's doing to me. First he call