KULSUM'S POV.

After the game with Zayn, I was left alone in my room again. I had a great time with him. I didn't say much to him but I enjoyed watching him rant about his friends and his school. At times I spaced out but he didn't say a word about it knowing I can't take another person prodding into my life like that. I've had enough for one day.

He understood that, and gave me the space I needed. I'd always known that my younger brother was smarter than kids his age.

Eventually, I grew bored of staying in the room alone. I wanted to get some fresh air—which I do a lot by the way. I enjoyed going to my mother's garden and sitting on the swing my siblings and I used to play on when we were kids. Surprisingly, that was one of the places that helped me calm down most times.

I pulled up the hood of my hoodie as I closed the door to my room behind me. I started walking towards the steps, taking my time as I did that. I was in no rush.

As I passed by my father's study, I heard voices coming from there. I didn't care about that though. Eavesdropping is the last thing I do. But, when I heard my name pop out I couldn't stay away. No matter how much I didn't care about eavesdropping, I always stick around whenever I hear my name.

And this time I knew who mentioned it. My mother.

Stopping in my tracks, I focused on the voices to hear what they're saying.

"You can't be serious about this!" My mother exclaimed sounding frustrated, angry, and many more emotions I couldn't decipher but her voice said it all.

"I am. You know there's nothing I can do about it" My dad's voice came. Except while mother's voice had all that emotions, he sounded like he was tired of talking about whatever issue it is at hand.

I heard my mother sigh in disbelief, "There's nothing you can do? You mean to tell me that there's nothing you can do about this?"

"Yes"

"Oh please! Just reject the offer!" My mother suggested, her voice coming out higher than earlier.

"And risk hurting Sabrina?" He asked referring to my sister.

"Oh so you'd rather hurt Kulsum instead? You'd rather hurt my daughter that's already going through hell?" I can imagine my mother standing hands akimbo as she said that. My heart felt somehow as she uttered those words. I always knew that my mother had my back, she had always been the one most worried about me.

I couldn't hear it but I knew my father sighed at her statement, "Of course not. Kulsum is my daughter too but would you rather lose the only daughter we have left that hasn't lost herself. The daughter that's still in her right sense of mind"

Ouch. That should hurt.

But, it doesn't. I'm used to this by now. I dealt with it when I'm most vulnerable. Now, it doesn't do anything to me.

My father must've realized what he said because he quickly spoke up again, "that's not what I meant—"

"No" I wasn't seeing this but knowing my mother, she must've raised her hand up to stop him, "It is what you've always wanted to say that you finally got off your chest"

"It's not like that—"

"Then what is it exactly? You've always cared most about your reputation more than your own child. Instead of supporting her all the way you decided to cut her off in public. You cut off every relation you have with her outside the walls of this house and you dare tell me she's your daughter" my mother raised her voice up louder than she must've intended it to be.

"Do you really think that I can show my face up in the public if people find out she's my daughter?" my father asked her as if he's asking the most sensible question in the world.

"So you're embarrassed of her?"

I won't blame him if he is. I know I will just ruin his reputation and in his field, reputation meant everything.

"What?! No?! You're putting words into my mouth. And besides, you're not any better than I am" I couldn't tell if he is denying it or if he is telling the truth. But either ways, it doesn't look like it will end in my favor.

One thing he sure is right about anyways is the fact is that she's in no way better than he is. Birds of the same feather do flock together.

"Unbelievable!" my mother huffed and just as I turned to look at the door of the study room, it flung open to reveal my cousin whom I had no idea was in there with them for whatever reason.

He stopped in his tracks when he noticed me standing there. His eyes widen as he blinked, "Kulsum" he called out making both my parents swivel their heads to look at me.

The two exchanged looks as if I heard something I shouldn't have heard—which in a way is right. My mother looked like she wanted to say something while my father looked away wiping his face with his palms—something he does when he's frustrated.

My cousin opened his mouth to say something but before he could actually say something, I raised my hand to stop him. Throwing one last glance at my father and mother, I looked away and continued walking towards the stairs.

As I walked down the stairs I could hear my parents hushed whispers which I heard. They weren't exactly the best people in terms of whispers, they suck at it.

"Look, we sent her to that therapy session today, doing this is nothing but to help her. It's the way to save both our daughters" My father said in what was supposed to be a whisper but I'm sure even the person downstairs can hear him.

Silence followed as my mother thought of what to say probably still not all jolly with whatever decision it is that he made, "Haven't you thought that maybe by doing this you're only going to hurt her more?" she 'whispered' back angrily.

"Well you had no problem with it before did you? Do you have any other idea to help her? Or should I say to save both our daughters?" Their voices began to fade as I reached the bottom of the stairs, but just like I'd thought, I could still hear them faintly if I focus enough. And that was just what I did.

"This better works because I don't think our daughter can handle more than she already has" and that was all I could hear as I took a turn that will lead me outside to the garden that I initially planned on heading.

I don't know what it is they're planning but I have a pretty good guess it has something to with what happened today. It was too good to be a coincidence. But, they're forgetting one thing—I'm blocking out everything from my past, and I mean everything. Anything that links me or remind me of the old Kulsum whether good ones or bad I'm getting rid of it.

So in simple words, whatever it is they're planning will be an epic fail.

~*~

As I sat on the swings I raised my head up to look at the dark sky littered by tiny stars. Distance really does fool a person. From where I sat the stars looked tiny but in reality they're much bigger than you can ever imagine.

The scent of most of flowers calmed me down along with eerie silence of the place. I closed my eyes and inhaled it in. Exhaling, I opened my eyes again. My eyes focused on the stars for a while.

The sky always fascinated me ever since I was a child. That was actually why I wanted to study astronomy back when I was young. Obviously, that wasn't possible but I loved it so much that I started learning about the sky and the stars along with the planets extensively.

My gaze then fell back to the garden. And as I looked at a particular place that I shared memories with someone the memories just flood in before I could stop them.

"Okay. I'm back with our drinks" I said walking towards where the carpet we laid on the grass carpet and with my best friend's sitting on it. Just as she looked up at me, I tossed the can of Fanta at her which she caught just in time.

I smiled at her and took my place opposite where she sat as the picnic's basket is between us. She picked up a samosa and munched on it closing her eyes, "Man I swear you make the best samosa's in the world!" she exclaimed, "Girl, this is why we're best friends"

I feigned the look of hurt on my face, "Should I be offended that you're only friends with me because of that?"

She shook her head taking another piece of the samosa, "Nah. You should be thankful that someone as great as me is complimenting your cooking skills"

I chuckled at her act. The girl never fails to say something like this. I rolled my eyes at her when she smiled cheekily at me. Opening the can of Coke in my hands, I poured it into a champagne flute and then took a sip out of it.

We continued eating in silence and when I noticed that she was engrossed in eating the samosa, I placed the flute of champagne down and looked at her with a look on my face that I hoped will convince her, "So..." I drawled making her stop what she's doing and look at me.

She gazed at me for a few seconds before dropping the piece that was in her hand and shook her head at me, "Nope. Nada. I know that look, you're planning on doing something bad aren't you?"

I sighed and resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her, "You're over reacting. I'm not planning on doing something that bad. Jeez, you make it sound like I'm planning on killing someone or something"

"Well, are you?"

"God! Of course not!" How could she even think of something like that?

"Good. Because I don't plan on going to jail for being an accomplice to a crime any time soon" she said wiping her hands with a tissue to get rid of the crusts on it. "So..." she placed both her hands on her thighs, "What are you planning on doing?"

I bit my lower lip as I thought of the words to use, "Well...he finally asked me out" I said in a small voice but she heard me.

"And?"

"I said yes"

"Kulsum..." she trailed off and I knew at the instant she'll be against this.

"Before you think of anything bad. You know he's a good guy" I interrupted making her look at me with uncertainty in her eyes.

She sighed looking down before looking up again, "Yes I do know that Kulsum. But I also know that if he's serious about you then he should meet your parents to discuss with them"

I kept shut knowing she's right. "He does plan on meeting my parents" I muttered which was true by the way.

"Then he should do that first" she said. She reached out and took my hand in hers, "Listen, you know I only want the best for you right?"

Sighing, I gave her hand a small squeeze before giving her my reply, "I know Salma. I know"

Blinking my eyes, I tried to get rid of that memory and everything that will remind me of her.

She was such a good friend. The best I've ever had actually.

I wondered what changed. Because she sure as hell played a major role in making me who I am today.

What happened?

~*~

Another dose of your daily update as promised!

What happened between Salma and Kulsum?

Where is Salma now?

Who is this 'he'?

God....who knows the answers?...me obviously..lmao.

You'll know soon. And by soon I mean in the next twenty chapters or so...lemme run!

Love, Jannah.