Continued

"Can we go to the park together, please please" Yusuf begged with puppy eyes.

"Yusuf son, that's enough" Farhan said in soft tone.
Yusuf step back, tears were rolling in his eyes.

Alif thought, 'he just got better, his mom isn't here or else she would have went with him. Plus Me going out with Saif got canceled so why not.'

Alif look at Farhan. She then bend down near Yusuf.
"My love. Look at me" Alif said in a soft tone.
Yusuf look up to her eyes. His eyes were teary.

She wiped his tears. "Let's go to the park, if that makes you happy" Yusuf jumped up and down with a smile on his face. Alif was tightly hugged by him. He kissed her hand

He ran to Farhan, "Baba, look she agreed" Yusuf said with a smile.

Farhan cracks a grin. "Let's go," he said as they began walking.
In the back seat, Alif and Yusuf sat. Farhan got in a car. Yusuf was smiling and clutching Alif's hand the entire time. Farhan kept staring at them in his rearview mirror. Farhan, too was amused by his son's antics.

Soon they arrived. Farhan parked his car, and they got off. Yusuf grabbed his dad's hand. While alif put her phone, in her purse. Suddenly Yusuf grabbed her hand. She look up to Yusuf who was smiling then to Farhan, "come let's go Baba and my favorite doctor" Yusuf said he started walking.

Farhan kept staring at Alif, thinking they'd make a wonderful family. He began to have strange thoughts for her.

When Yusuf called him, he broke out of his thoughts. "Baba, I want to sit on that swing, and push me," Yusuf remarked as he ran towards the swing.

Alif smile looking at Yusuf who was running. Farhan look at her smile, he himself smile. Farhan started pushing Yusuf, he was swinging a little fast. Then Alif received call. She answered it.

It was Mia who called her from an unknown number. Mia was gone to Germany for a vacation and she explained to alif how she lost her phone and she will be back after some time. After ending the call her phone rang again.

Alif: salam Alaikum

Saif: wa Alaikum Salam love.

Alif: why you called?

Saif: because I can and we are meeting in my apartment tomorrow for a special date

Alif: I am sorry saif

(When Alif uttered Saif, Farhan's smile vanished and he turned to face her.)

Alif: I'm sorry, I can't... it's inappropriate us meeting alone. Its specially haram after all.

Saif: please....for me.

Alif: No

Saif: your coming thats all I know.

With that he disconnected the call on her,
'Unbelievable' Alif mumbled she turn around and bumped to Farhan chest, her hands were on his shoulder. Farhan was looking at her. He was about to put his hands on her waist, she quickly pull her self back.

"I am sorry, I was to close" Farhan said stepping back. "Baba Doctor come here" Yusuf yell

They turned to face him and began walking.
Yusuf takes both of their hands in his.

They started walking.
"Babaa look ice cream I want oneeee" Yusuf said jumping.

Farhan and alif smile. Farhan went there brought some ice with them.

"Here it go" Farhan said giving the ice cream cone to Yusuf, Yusuf immediately took it from him with smile. Farhan look at alif.

"Here this is for you" Farhan said looking at her.
"thank you" alif said in soft tone taking it from his hand. "You didn't get any for your self" alif ask sitting on the bench. Yusuf sat by her.

"I don't like ice cream" Farhan replied standing in his spot.
Alif started coughing. "What? you don't like ice cream" Farhan nodded.

"I'm sorry sir but your missing out here right Yusuf?"

"Yes Baba"

Farhan look at her and said "call me Farhan not sir"

She looks at him slowly nodded.

Yusuf who finished his ice cream first, then alif did too. Farhan wiped his mouth making Yusuf smile.

Alif received a text, she look at her phone and stood up. "I-I have to go" alif said Farhan and Yusuf look at each other.

"Ok bye Yusuf " alif said bending near him. She was about to kiss him, but he step back.
"Yusuf no kiss for me" alif said standing up.

Yusuf ran to Farhan. Farhan pick him up in his hug.
"Yusuf what happened" Farhan ask in worry tone
"She's leaving again" Yusuf said closing his eyes.
Farhan look at alif.

"How about this, since it's almost evening come to our place, have dinner and then I'll drop you off securely at your apartment"

Yusuf immediately turn to her. He wanted To know her answer. Alif look at Yusuf, "I.. can't"

Yusuf instructed his father to approach her more closely. Farhan moved closer to her, and they were only a few feet apart.

"Baba a little closer," Yusuf said as Farhan took a step closer. Yusuf gets close enough to touch her. He cupped her face in his hands and stared her down.

"Your my favorite doctor right" Yusuf said
Alif nodded.

'Ya Allah he's so cute'

"Then, one final time come with us for dinner, and......my baba will drop you off at your apartment"Yusuf said, a puppy face on his face as he looked at Farhan. He, too, was making a puppy expression

Just then Yusuf kiss her cheek. "Please please please" he said
Alif put his hands down, she cupped his face
"Don't make that face.... fine I will only go because of my Yusuf ." Alif replied kissing his forehead.
Farhan smile.

Just then, a lady drove past them, but she came to a halt and turned to face them.
"Such a cute family, Mash'Allah, may Allah keep you guys together always," she said quickly as she walked away.
Farhan smile and looked at the lady, who then walked away.

She fixes her gaze on Farhan. Yusuf had a big grin on his face.
Farhan drew Yusuf away from her and said, "Come on, let's leave." Alif looked down and nodded. Her heart was racing.

"Baba, drop me right now; don't ever pull me away from her," Yusuf whispered solemnly as Farhan released him. He swiftly went over to her and took her hand in his. "Let's go," he said cheerfully.

Farhan pretended to cry, "I see, someone doesn't love me."
Yusuf and Alif began to laugh.
"All right, let's get going, I've got to be back home soon," Alif remarked. Farhan gave a slight nod.

They returned home shortly after that.
Yusuf grabbed her hand and ran towards the home, saying, "You're coming with me, I have to show my room."

"Yusuf, take it easy," Alif urged, smiling.
They were in his room afterwards, when Yusuf showed her his sketches. Etc. Farhan entered his room.

"Alright dinner is ready" Farhan said looking at alif.
Yusuf nodded he hold her hand, they started walking.

Soon dinner was served, alif was eating her food, when Yusuf notice a ring on her ringer.
Alif turn towards him.

"My Yusuf, what are you looking at" alif ask in concern voice

"The ring on your finger, it looks good" Yusuf said touching it.
"Oh this..." alif said
"Yes, who gave it to you"

Alif look at him, "Saif gave it me, the one you met
At the restaurant the other day remember" alif said
Yusuf nods "why would he gave it to you" Yusuf ask Again.

"He says he loves, he wanted me to wear this so it shows that I am taken. Soon inshallah we are going to get married" alif said with smile.

Farhan's blood was boiling and he appeared enraged.
"But you're not his...you're mine," Yusuf explained, his eyes welling up with tears.

Alif reaches for his hair and hurriedly strokes it. "I'll always be yours, Yusuf," Alif kissed his cheek.
Yusuf gives her his full attention. "So you're mine?" Yusuf inquires, smiling.

"Don't worry, Yusuf she's only yours," Farhan remarked, making eye contact with her.

Yusuf led her back to his room as dinner was finished. He sat in his bed, staring at the ceiling. When Alif approached him, Yusuf instructed her to take a seat next him.

Yusuf hugged her tightly and whispered, "I am sleepy, My doctor...... stay with me until I fall asleep."

Alif kissed his forehead and said, "I'm here with you... now close your eyes."
Yusuf smiled and drew his eyelids closed.

When Alif noticed him sleeping, she slowly got up and covered him. She got up and walked out of the room. Farhan was found by her. He was walking toward his room.

"Farhan sir," alif says as she approaches him. He turned to face her.

When he sees her, he smiles. As she got closer to him.
"First. Do not address me as sir; instead address me as Farhan "He said, his gaze fixed on her.

Alif nods "I forgot sorry....he's sleeping. I will take my leave now" she said.

"Alright, let's go I will drop you" Farhan said.

They emerged, Farhan opening the passenger seat for her, and she simply stared at him. She dragged herself inside, grudgingly.
He smiles as he shuts the door behind him. He circled back and entered. He began driving.

Farhan looked at her and said, "I have an offer for you."
"Yes," Alif says as she looks at him.

"Summer break will begin soon, and you will be free for months as school comes to a end. Why don't you work for me, in my house and look after Yusuf, your doctor too. It'll be easier, and I'll pay you well."

Alif didn't answered, "I mean take your time, give me your answer later, just gave a thought about it" Farhan said. Alif nods

"Hey, today was fantastic; I appreciate everything you did for him today; he's doing lot better."

"Not a problem" she replied with smile.
Later they arrived at her house. She got off. "Thank you for the ride" alif said quickly walking away. Farhan smile he started driving away.

End of chapter