#NotEdited

Zeeniya

Nayal who was making jokes about cafeteria's pizza which tasted more like modelling clay, was on on the verge of passing out. All the colour from his face drained like rainwater, leaving a pale look behind. His hazel orbs twitched in horror or shock I guess with his lips parted a little. All of a sudden, a fountain of water sprang from his mouth, wetting his shirt in the process.

I interrogated my brain on why it was observing Nayal with every possible detail but it was unable to produce a satisfactory answer.

"I can't believe there is a girl who can tolerate someone like you." I chuckled clicking the latest file on the laptop. There was nothing better than annoying him.

A cyclone of thoughts were swirling around me. To me, it seemed a little weird knowing that he has a wife, even Adam never mentioned it. I vaguely remember him telling that he was a transfer from some university near Stafford. But I'm sure there was nothing about a wife. I quickly masked my surprise with a smirk, fiddling with the drawstring of one of Zayd's high school hoodie I was wearing.

Nayal's expression changed like one of Ben 10's aliens from shocked to angry, the only possible reason was my remark which I surely didn't regret saying.

His eyebrows shot up from his phone, nostrils flared up, eyes burning with a hint of frustration with raw anger. The only thing which I didn't want to notice but unfortunately I did because the female hormones were kicking in was to notice his abs thought the wet white shirt.
But in my opinion (not my female hormone's) the shirt would have dried in a seconds seeing the heat of anger radiating from his body.

I stood up from the carpeted floor which surely left my butt sore. Nayal exchanged a few glances between his phone and me, then like a stomped out of the room, his phone dangling between his shoulder and ear. I could clearly hear him shouted like a desi aunty. My pity to the person on the other side.

Just as I was about to evaesdrop on Nayal, Zayd carelessly strolled in with a bag slung over his shoulder. His clothes were creased, hair messed up in all direction and huge dark bags under his eyes.

"Assalam o alikum." A glint appeared in his eyes seeing me. I wonder why.

"Walikum Assalam." He spread his body on the sofa, resting his dead-fish smelly feet on the coffee table, knocking down a few of my pencils.

"Watch out,monkey!"

"Shut up. I'm tired." He whined like a two year old. But honestly his voice was the pure evidence of his tiredness.

"Dekha! Doctor banna bachon ka khel nhi ha!" I mocked him, laughing along.

"For the first time in the history you said the right thing. It seriously isn't. My God Zeen! The hospital suck every possible piece of energy." Zayd went along, narrating about his day but my mind drifted towards Nayal who I guess was still on the phone. His silhouette visible through the living room window,  opening in the garden. He seemed to be pacing back and forth, his hands occasionally wandering in the mob of chocolate brown hair.

"Are you even listening to me?" Zayd popped his head up.

"Honestly? No." I sealed my lips in a thin line, shaking my head.

"You are worse than Omar." He stood up, taking the stairs to his room.

"By the way where is Omar?" I questioned.

"Where do you find people after they are engaged to a hyperactive gal?"

I laughed at his reply and made my way towards the garden.

What if he really has a wife? But no one misses to mention such a thing. Maybe he has a kid too. No one knows. But why am I focusing so much on him. Stupid brain cells.

"I told you not to call me on his number. Why would you fudging call me then?" A chill ran throughout my body. I haven't heard him talking in this tone since I met him a month ago. In this dim light, redness was visible on his face with a mystery in his hazel eyes.

"Seriously? Who gets so angry when their wife calls? Poor girl."
I don't know if he would be able to recognize the sarcasm buried in my remark.

"That wasn't my wife!"

"Prove it." And there goes my inner daredevil. Why do I have to challenge everyone?

"You want me to prove it..." with every word he said, he took a dangerous step towards me.
He was getting close, I tried to step back a little but I felt as if my feet have been clawed deep inside the soil.

He was close enough that my olfactory lobes could sense the smell of his cologne mixed with his dreadful sweat.

I sson as I realized that he was breaching my personal space, I googled my brain and thankfully it reminded me of the Thai kuando classes I took a few years back.

I backed up quickly and lifted my right leg to give him a tight kick and closed my eyes, imagining Nayal screaming in pain. I knew he was busy glaring at me, so he wouldn't notice it.

I transferred all my energy into my leg, but as soon as it about to collide with his stomach, i felt a hand grabbing my Spongebob's slipping.

"Aaaaahhhh!" I shouted, helplessly, with a leg hanging half in the air.

Nayal was now laughing his head, holding my feet carefully. I felt like a one-legged chicken at this moment.

"I'll poisen your food!" I screeched as he let go of my foot and I ran inside

Bipolar freak!

~*~

"Dad why didn't you order biryani?" I whinned kicking the floor.

"Zeen, be grateful for what you have." Dad looked up from his spaghetti and meatballs.

"And seriously, this food is amazing. No offence Dad, but I really missed your half burned meatballs." Omar said, putting away the slightly burnt pieces of meatball.

Am I the only biryani lover here?
"I don't mind. By the way, I'm your Dad not a cook. I tried and tired and that the best I could do. I'm the guy who didn't even fry an egg before college." Dad turned to Nayal who was sitting between Omar and Adam and was nodding and smiling like a little boy.

Dani missed dinner and when I went to his room to interrogate, which I don't usually do. Actually it was the first time as Dad thought it would be ill- mannered to have a family member missing on the table when we have a guest over a.k.a Nayal (I coughed uncontrollably over it). But Dani used one of the oldest trick in the book; stomach cramps and Dad gave in. Once again, perks of being the youngest child.

"You're cooking skills are way better than Adam's." I shot a look at Nayal. How dare he insulted my best friend! Only I have the right to insult him.

"Do you know Dad that Nayal has a wife?" I played with the strand of pasta, when a playful yet eveil smile playing on my lips.

I heard Nayal hiss and shifting in his chair.

"Really?" Dad asked taking a sip from his drink.

"Well,....no. Zeeniya misunderstood it. It was actually my best buddy, who saved his number as 'wife' as a prank." I studied his face for any bluffing but he was looking right in my eyes, which was an honest gesture.

"Really Zeeniya, I'm not lying." He must have notice my suspicious gaze and made an innocent face.

"Like I care."

"Something is burning." I heard a whisper through my black hijab.

"What?"

"You're jealous." I turned my head to 180° to take a look at Zayd who was smiling mischievously.

"You are really missing your brain screw or something." I munched on the piece of celery.

"It is about time you brought home a guy." He replied.

"Sometimes I really feel that I'm adopted. I thought brothers are supposed to be overprotective and all."

Dad looked at us angrily, the only reason that he didn't like two conversations going on the dinner table. As it was the'sacred family time' .

"I want to eat biryani." I announced, finally giving up on the bland food in front of me.

"You aren't sitting in a buffet. Be thankful to Allah for what you have." Dad sternly spoke.

"Yeah, Zeen we can have biryani tomorrow. No big deal." Omar shrugged causally.

Why can't they understand that sudden urge you have. That feeling when you want what you want. Did Dad forget all the psychology he studied in Med school?

I looked around, finding everyone busy in their food. I noticed Adam who was awfully quiet the whole time. Must have been work or university.

Once I quickly transferred all the spaghetti into Zayd's plate, I excused myself and headed towards my room.

~*~

I quickly rushed down the stairs as soon as I heard the bell ring. It was absurd for someone to show up at midnight. Even Adam and Nayal went back to their place and all the others were home.

Reciting all the prayers I remembered, I tiptoed to the door and peeked from keyhole, only to be confronted by a delivery guy.
I opened the door ajar, seeing him standing there with a paper back with small note attached to it.

I closed the door after thanking the guy, and focused in the bag. Opening it I found an scrumptious portion of biryani. I picked the note,

"You should smile more often."

A.N.
Here it is!

So it was my birthday yesterday, on 31st and can you guys please please please leave lots of votes and comments as a gift? Pretty please....

And also share your best birthday memory. The best one will be featured in the next chapter with a........DEDICATION!

So, please comment and vote ❤❤❤