KULSUM'S POV.

I could tell that Dr. Firdaus knows something is wrong from the way she glanced at me. She was right though, something is wrong. After all, I'm being forced to go through session with my 'family'.

This ought to be interesting.

"Well, firstly I'd like to thank you all for taking your time to be here for Kulsum. I'm sure she'd really appreciate it" Dr. Firdaus said to my family making them all offer them small smiles which she reciprocated. She then turned to me, "Kulsum, is there anything you'd like to say to them before we start?"

"No" I replied simply as I tucked my hands in the pocket of my hoodie.

She nodded, "I guess I'll start by briefing you then" She said to my parents whom nodded ta her giving her the go ahead to continue, "Kulsum has improved more than we expected her too. It's not that big of an improvement that will validate her to get off rehab in a week or two but then it's more than we all think she'd do. She has also been really cooperative these few days which is a good thing" This made my mother smile.

Dis she actually smile or was I just imagining it?

"However, as part of her recovery process, we do need you to be here. Some family time will help her more" I resisted the urge to scoff at this. I highly doubt their presence will help. "Do you have anything to say to your daughter?"

My mom nodded, she then turned to me and offered me a smile, "Kulsum, I'm happy you're getting better. All these years it's been the only thing we want and now that it's finally happening, all we can say is alhamdullilah. All we want is to see you happy"

"We didn't send you here because we hate you as you had always thought. We did that because we care about you. That's all we ever wanted and we want to be here for you" that was my father.

And as if the train continues, Sabrina spoke, "Kulsum, I know we haven't been close recently, but like dad said, we do care about you. More than you think actually"

And I guess then it was Zayn's turn to speak, but he didn't say anything.

"Zayn, don't you have anything to say to your sister?" Dr. Firdaus asked as she looked at my younger brother who shook his head not saying a word, but his gaze was on me.

"Are you guys done?" I asked making them all look at me since this is the first time I'm speaking to them since they got here. "You all keep saying that you care about me? Seriously? What type of lie is that?"

"Kulsum-"

"What-"

"Ummu-"

All these started to speak at the same time but I cut them off, "Stop!" I raised my hand to stop them all making their eyes widens lightly since I actually raised my voice. I then turned to Sabrina, "You said you and I haven't been close recently? Seriously Sabrina when have you and I ever been close?"

"Kulsum-"

"Just answer me" I knew if I let her finish her statement, it will only be a string of excuses and meaningless words. And for once in my life I'm actually tired, I want to speak up and let my voice heard, "I have always tried to be close to you but what did you do? You just pushed me away every single time!" I tried not to let the emotion show in my voice but it was hard, especially now that I'm letting the words that I've held in all the years out.

She kept shut. Her eyes narrowed slightly at me showing off her true features. I knew it was only a matter of time before she cracked that fake act of hers.

She had never been there for me as an elder sister no matter how hard I tried to be close to her, she just shut me out.

"Sabrina, can we talk please?" the sixteen-year-old me said as I stood at by the door of her room and peaked my head in.

She raised her head up from her phone that she had been typing on and glanced at me before she looked back to her phone, "Uhm" she hummed not really paying attention to me.

I didn't care about that though; I'm used to this by now. It's the most I get out of her when it comes to a conversation.

I made my way into her room and settled on one of the numerous bean bags in there. I raised my head up and look at her, "I was wondering if you won't mind telling me about your university, since I'm going there. I'd like to know a few things about it"

"Okay..." she replied, still typing furiously on her phone not raising her head to even spare me a glance.

"So, can you tell me about it?" I asked and waited for her to reply. When she didn't, I thought of adding something, "I was thinking maybe you'd tell me about how the lec-"

She giggled as she read something on her phone. She then looked up and her eyes immediately narrowed slightly, "Look I'm doing something now. Can you let me be?" it sounded like a question but I knew it was anything but.

This isn't the first time she's ignoring me.

It hurts but I hid it. So, I smiled and nodded, "yeah sure, I can come back later..."

"No, don't come later" she said quickly.

"Why?" I normally won't ask her why but I couldn't help it.

"Because I said so. Can you leave me alone please! I'm doing something" she replied harshly before she turned back to her phone again.

I was out of words. I never knew what I did to her to make her treat me like this. So, I nodded and walked out of her room quietly not wanting to upset her.

That wasn't the first time something like that happened. It had been going on for as long as I can remember that's why she and I aren't close. No matter how much I try, her friends or her phone or something irrelevant is always more important than me. However, up until a few years ago I never gave up hoping that my sister will come around.

I should've known that was just merely dreams of mine that will never come true.

I know how it feels like to be ignored by your sibling, which is something I'd never want Zayn to go through which is why I'm close to him. No matter how many time I see it, Zayn is too innocent to be treated such way and honestly, she treats him just the same way too. Which is why I always try to be there for him no matter what.

"Don't ever say those words to me again Sabrina because we both know it is a complete lie" I said holding her gaze and because she knew it is true, she kept shut and looked away, as always.

However, she looked back and that was the first time I actually heard her voice out her own side of the story, "You think it's easy being around you huh?" she asked and I'm sure everyone could hear the venom in her tone. "You've always been the perfect daughter in the eyes of everyone"

That is not true. I don't know why she believed that.

"You know that's not true" I said but she was having none of it.

"Will you shut up and let me speak? You have always aced everything you tried. You know our parents wanted us to both study medicine but I couldn't. Apparently I'm not smart enough but then my baby sister, the mighty Ummu Kulsum got in her first try as always. You've always been the best at everything and always making me look bad in front of everyone"

Don't tell me...Sabrina is actually jealous of me?

I mean I thought so but I never thought she'd admit it.

"Sabrina you know that is not true" Our mother said as she tried to hold Sabrina's hands but she just pushed it away. Poor mother. Everyone's pushing her away. I can't say it's not her fault.

"Don't say that to me mom. We both know it's true. It has always been Kulsum this, Kulsum that"

This was when Dr. Firdaus finally interjected, "Sabrina, do you want to talk about this?" she asked seeing as my sister needs this. I could tell she was hesitant though. Approaching a fuming Sabrina isn't an easy task. She can vent it all out on you.

Clearly, I'm not the only one that needs therapy in the family.

And they locked me here when they could've brought her with me.

It runs in the blood...

"No" Was Sabrina's simple answer. She looked around us in anger and when her eyes met mine, she scoffed and stood up, taking her clutch along with her.

"Sabrina, where are you going?" Our father asked seeing as she is preparing to leave. I can't believe this is the first time he's speaking up. However, he will have plenty of time to talk later.

She looked at him and licked her seemingly chapped lips before looking back at our parents, "I'm only going out for a moment. Don't worry, I'll be back to support your precious" she glanced at me as she said the word 'precious' "Daughter. I won't belong" Without another word she stormed out leaving the place eerily quiet.

I wasn't done yet though. They wanted to have therapy with me right? That's what they're getting then.

Next is my mother whose tears now no longer fell like before. I care for this woman even though she is no better but still, a mother is a mother. However, that doesn't mean I'll just jump into being her daughter like that.

She's only my mother by name. She had never been my mother in anything. She never cares about how I feel mentally as long as she trains me to be the perfect daughter she made Sabrina-apparently not since Sabrina thinks otherwise.

"Moving onto you mom..." I looked at her and I visibly saw her gulp. She knows I'm not holding anything back in today.

I'm letting it all out. It's about time we get over this.

~*~

I'm so sorry I couldn't update yesterday!

Phone problems are the worst shaaa

Anyways, two other updates are on the way so...

Get ready for that. Secrets are being let out up and down.

Love, Jannah.