#Chapter Five#

“If she gets hungry, there’s a bottle in the fridge, all you have to do is warm it up. Oh, and make sure you change her into her warmer onesie before she sleeps!” Sarah demanded, as her and Ziad walked towards the door and paused to face me. 

“Sarah, relax. I’ve got this. You guys just go and have fun.” 

“Are you sure you’ll be fine?” she asked for the umpteenth time and I resisted groaning out loud. 

“Yes. We’re gonna have fun tonight aren’t we,” I said to Abir. As if in response, she began bouncing on my hip and threw her arms out, her excited baby talk filling the quiet air around us. I laughed and kissed her on the cheek. “See? She’s excited. I’m excited. Everything is fine and dandy,” I persuaded. “Now go.” I gave her a little push in the direction of the door. 

With one last hesitant look, she nodded and stepped out of the open door. It was her first time leaving Abir so I understood why she was a little nervous. However, I had everything under control and seeing how distressed Sarah’s been over the last few days, especially after Abir’s incident in the hospital, I agreed with Ziad that she needed a night off. 

“Thanks Meena.” Ziad gave me and Abir a quick kiss on the forehead, before hurrying out after his wife. A fond smile made its way onto my lips as I watched Ziad open the passenger side door of his merc for Sarah before bending down to kiss her cheek lovingly. 

My brother was sensitive and extremely affectionate, always putting the feelings of others before his own. It was the reason as to why so many girls fell over their feet trying to get his attention before he married. Unfortunately for them, his heart was intent on one woman  and one woman only. 

The story of how he came to find Sarah was heart-touching; he was in the mall, buying me a gift for starting uni when he heard a young girl sobbing to her mother, yelling about a toy that she wanted. She was making a scene; stomping her feet, yelling and throwing a tantrum until her mother had no choice but to scald her. Embarrassed, as she was waiting in line and everyone could hear, the mother whisper-yelled that she couldn’t afford it and that if she didn’t quiet down, she wouldn’t buy her the small packet of lollies that was already in her hand. 

Before Ziad could speak up and buy the toy for the young girl, Sarah, who had been waiting in line behind the woman, stepped up to console her, telling her that she could grab anything she wanted in the store and she would buy it for her. Ziad had been intently listening the whole time and had been immediately intrigued by Sarah and her random act of kindness. 

Her disposition and selflessness was what attracted him and he had acted quickly after that, finding out her name and hunting down her family thereafter. Imagine her father’s shock, when the Prime Minister’s son rocked up to their door and asked for their daughter’s hand. 

Ziad beeped as he reversed out of the lengthy driveway, breaking me from my reverie and I waved enthusiastically in return. Shutting the door, I turned to head back to the living room but just as I took a step froward, I stumbled backwards in fright as someone was standing directly behind me. A very big someone. 

“SALEM!” I exclaimed, putting my hand over my racing heart. “You’re so big yet you make no noise when you walk! I don’t get it!” 

He actually had the nerve to chuckle. “Your father wants to see you. He’s in his office.” 

“Crazy man,” I mumbled under my breath. I moved down the hallway and adjusted Abir on my hip. “You’re getting heavy, aren’t you?” She squealed, allowing some spittle to fly out of her mouth and onto my face. “Yummy,” I whispered sarcastically. 

I knocked on baba’s office door and strolled in once I heard him call out for me. I was met with the usual sight; baba typing away on his laptop, glasses perched on the brink of his nose with tons of papers scattered around him. I plopped down on the chair across from him and shifted Abir onto my lap. 

“Ahh, and how are my two queens this fine evening?” he asked, looking up only momentarily to give us a smile. 

“Alhamdulillah, really well. How are you?” 

“I’m great alhamdulillah.” Despite his words, I worried about baba a lot. I feared one day the work would begin to affect his health and even now, as I roamed my eyes across his exhausted face, I knew I had a point to be concerned. He holed himself up in this room for hours on end and only came out for dinner and to spend some family time with us, whereafter he’d either retreat back to his office or sleep. 

“Are you?” I asked, my tone doubtful. He looked startled at my question for a few seconds and I didn’t miss the panicked look flash through his eyes. It was as if he didn’t want us to catch on with what he was really going through. 

“I am,” he answered, giving me a small smile. He hesitated before speaking. “You know that until the position of Advisor is filled, I’ll be overloaded with work. If I could, I’d have filled it a long time ago but you know as well as I do that we need the right person for the job. And so far, no one has been successful.” I felt the usual prickle of annoyance mixed with heartache at the mention of the Advisory job which had been open for years now. After dad’s best friend and consultant died four years ago, no one had been ‘up to standard,’ so to speak and baba was finding it difficult to replace his old companion. 

Annoyance, because I had always believed that eventually, after I graduated, dad would consider me for the job. I had the qualifications, I had experience and I definitely had the passion for it. Aiding baba with the running of this country was my end goal, although I had never told him that as I believed it would add unnecessary pressure. Every time he spoke of the position, it seemed like he barely spared a thought my way. Ziad was happy being an engineer and Samir was off, studying to be a pilot, so it was clear none of them were interested. I was hoping baba would eventually come to his senses and realise how very much I wanted the job; but I’d have to be patient until then.

Heartache, because just the word ‘Advisor’ brought to the surface so many unwanted memories. Memories that I knew I had to lock away, if I were to ever get the job and excel in it. 

“Now,” baba boomed, rolling his chair backwards and getting up. “I called you over so that I could steal this little minx from you.” He lifted Abir off my lap and threw her up in the air, knowing that she loved it. I shuddered whenever him or Ziad did that; I couldn’t help but imagine the end result if they happened to drop her. “What did you have planned for tonight?” 

“Not much. I was going to bring out Abir’s toys, some snacks and maybe put on a documentary.” 

“That sounds like…fun.” I quirked an eyebrow at him. “What? It just sounds a little boring to me, that’s all.” 

“I happen to think documentaries on the wonders of the world is riveting, thank you very much.” 

“Mhmm,” dad hummed, moving to sit back in his chair. 

“Since you’ve got Abir, I’m going to pray Maghreb then I’ll come back to take her.” 

“OK habibti.” I left the room with Abir’s squeals echoing off the walls, probably because baba was tickling her. 

Twenty minutes later, I was settled exactly where I wanted to be. In front of the T.V. with a national geographic documentary on. Abir was sitting next to me, happily throwing her toys around. 

My gaze continually shifted between the flat screen T.V. and Abir and eventually she began to get restless. As I expected, she started to whimper and whine and before she started crying loudly, I hauled her onto my hip again and headed to the kitchen to warm her bottle of milk. 

Since it was late in the evening, most of the workers had left. I spotted Lia packing away some things in the corner and my smile instantly brightened. “Salam Lia!” She jumped slightly, obviously not expecting anyone to be here. Seeing it was me, she gave a soft smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes and in a flash, I knew she was upset. I quickly grabbed the bottle from the fridge since Abir was still fidgeting angrily and moved to where Lia was. “Hey, you alright?” 

“I’m fine darling, how are you?” 

I turned the kettle on and peered over at her cautiously. “Good.” She nodded and continued to tidy up the area around her. I gave her some space and didn’t prod her for a few minutes, waiting for her to say something. It was only after I had relaxed in the chair and commenced the, thankfully, easy task of feeding Abir that she spoke up. 

“I got a call today - mum’s sick.” 

I snapped my head up. “What happened?” 

She sighed and came over to sit on the stool next to me. “I think it’s just a mixture of old age and bad habits. She’s got diabetes and cholesterol but doesn’t look after herself properly.” She looked down at her hands sadly. “Sometimes I feel like I should be the one looking after her.” I felt both a pang of sympathy and understanding course through me at her words.

“So go to her.” 

She looked up at me with wide eyes. “W-what do you mean?” 

“Lia, you’ve done so much for our family. More than we deserve, I think. Leave and be with your mother if that’s what’s important to you right now. I can book you a ticket tonight and you’ll be with her by tomorrow in the afternoon.”

“N-no, I couldn’t,” she stammered. “The high tea is after tomorrow, there’s so much to do…” I shook my head and if it wasn’t for Abir sleeping away in my arms right now, I’d shake her violently.

“Forget about all that. We can handle it fine here. You know that our family would never hold it against you if you leave. In fact, if baba heard about this, he’d be packing your luggage himself!” She gave a little laugh and nodded her head. 

“OK fine,” she decided. “I’m not quitting though! Just consider it as leave. At least to check up on her and make sure she’s coping alright. Plus…I really do miss her.” 

“Then it’s settled.”

####

The next day at our house could only be described with one word: anarchy. 

All the employees, security guards and event planners had been shuffling in and out of the house, preparing the large hall we had hired for tomorrow. Lia had left early in the morning and we had all bid her an emotional farewell. I had to practically force her into the car. It would definitely be odd and empty without her homey existence in the house but I knew she needed to do this. If she didn’t, she might regret it forever.

When I had told the head event planner that I wanted to help out, she nearly had a coronary, insisting I didn’t need to trouble myself. If I was frank, I got a little bit annoyed at her incessant remarks here and there about my status; they always made me feel uncomfortable. 

Either way, I was determined to do my part. Even Ziad was getting his hands dirty and helping with the manoeuvring of furniture and whatnot. He had always treated the guards like his brothers and I could tell they appreciated that. 

It was around midday, when I felt the familiar pounding begin on the right side of my head. Knowing that this headache could very easily escalate into a migraine, I had quickly eaten and taken two painkillers. 

Half an hour later, the pain still hadn’t subsided. I had gotten enough migraines in the last few years to know whether this was one; and it definitely was. Feeling nauseous, I sat down on the floor and put my head in my hands, willing the pain to flee. I was doing so well lately; my record had been clean as I hadn’t gotten one in months. 

“Meena, you alright?” I heard Ziad’s alarmed voice float towards me. Suddenly, the pain intensified to such a degree, I had to physically clench my hands and grit my teeth to stop myself from screaming out. “Sameena!” 

“Migraine,” was all I managed to whisper, unable to open my eyes as I knew the light would only sharpen the needle-like throb in my head. Only my prescription tablets would get rid of a migraine so severe and unfortunately, I was at the hall and not at home. 

“Bismillah,” I heard Ziad breathe, before I felt myself being lifted off the floor and into his arms. I groaned as my head swivelled from side to side and it took all of my energy to bring my face to Ziad’s chest and hide away from the light. “You’ll be home in no time Meena, just don’t move your head too much OK?” 

I didn’t reply as I felt him quickly yet cautiously begin walking. I caught on to some confused and stressed sentences, people asking what was wrong with me. I remember hearing Salem yell at someone, before car doors were opened and closed. 

At length, the car lurched forward and at this point, the scorching pain in my head was unimaginable. I gripped onto who I assumed was Ziad and prayed for this relentless pain to end until I eventually blacked out.

####

Definitions:

Alhamdulillah: ‘Praise be to Allah SWT’

Maghreb: Prayer done at sunset

Habibti: ‘My love’ - term of endearment

Bismillah: ‘In the name of Allah SWT’

A/N

Thoughts? Feelings? Feedback?

Can we guess who will be showing up in the next chapter?! ;)