Zarak's point of view;

The show was tomorrow and we were very well prepared. All we needed to do now was rest to ease the tension before the show. We needed to be relaxed and do our best. Right now, I was resting on my bed, playing random tunes on my guitar. Ameerah had not texted me back. She was still angry with me, I knew, but she had to be practical. I had already sent her the tickets for the show and she hadn't even said a thank you. We had not talked since days and I was starting to miss her. I'll apologize to her again when she comes to the show. I'll convince her. We'll be okay. I smiled thinking about her. The thought of her always made me smile.

It was the day of the show and I woke up early for the million preparations that needed to be done. I had called Ameerah to ask her the time that she would reach but she didn't pick up. I send her a text informing her the time our band would be playing on stage.

We were in the backstage when she called me back. The show had already started and it was our turn next.

"Zarak, I'm here," she stated simply. Hearing the sound of her voice after so many days made me realize how much I had missed her.

"Great, we are performing next. I'll meet you after the performance," I replied.

"Okay," she simply replied. Yes, she was definitely still angry with me.

"I love you," I said to her. She replied with a quick "love you too," and hung up.

The name of our band was called out and we got ready to go onstage.

The crowd was crazy. There were so many more people than we had expected. The judges were seated to the right corner in front of the stage. We did our best. I was really happy with our performance. The crowd went crazy with the cheering.

We were in the backstage waiting for the show to end and for the results to be announced. We were really nervous.
Finally, when the show ended, all the band leaders were called on the stage for the results to be announced. The names of the runner ups were announced first and finally the name of the winner was announced. "And the winner of the Annual Musical Show is Band no. 2." Each band had been given a specific number for the show. The crowd began cheering and my band members came from the backstage after hearing that we had won.

The judges handed us the award and also a lot of privileges were offered to us. Internships and jobs were offered to us by the biggest music companies. It felt like a dream come true. All our hard work had paid off and it felt like the door for the greatest opportunities had opened. It was truly the happiest I had ever felt. I was over the moon.

I went to the backstage to gather up all my stuff and leave. The band members were planning a night out to hang out together and celebrate but I passed the offer. I was looking forward to meet Ameerah . I wanted to spend my time with her.

Coming out of the backstage, I dialled her number. A couple of girls were giggling and glancing at me repeatedly. Ameerah finally picked up, "I am looking at you right now," she said.

I searched around for her and spotted her a few feet away from me. She waved at me and began walking towards me. Just then, those girls came to me and circled me. "You were really great tonight," one of them said.

"Thank you," I replied.

"Will you give me an autograph?" One of the other girls said opening her hand in front of me and taking out a pen.

"No, it was just a show. Please get aside. I need to go."

"Not until you sign," she giggled and waved the pen in front of my face.

I peeked above their heads and saw that Ameerah had stopped midway and was looking at me. I quickly took the pen and signed on her hand before slightly pushing her and making my way through them. Ameerah had turned around and had started to walk in the opposite direction.

I ran after her, "Ameerah, wait!" She turned around angrily when I reached up to her. She crossed her arms and looked down.

"Hey, look at me," I put my finger under her chin when she jerked back.

"Don't touch me," she almost yelled. She looked really different today. She had wrapped a light pink colored hijab on her head. She had really changed since the last time I saw her.

"okay okay, let's sit somewhere and talk. There is a small café just around the corner. We can walk there."

She just nodded and began walking. I followed her.

We reached the café and I ordered a coffee whereas Ameerah just sat there silently. I put my hand on hers on the table, "I am just so happy to see you Ameerah. I missed you so much." She slipped her hands from underneath mine and folded them on her lap under the table.

"What was that with the girls there?" She looked straight at me and asked stiffly.

I laughed lightly. "So that's what troubling you. They were just annoying me Ameerah. I signed on her hand to get rid of them," I smiled looking at her. She looked so pretty and innocent.

"okay," she said and nodded slightly.

"By the way, why haven't you been replying to me?" I asked her.

"Becauuuuse," she stretched the word and rested her chin on her hand. "Dad's home," she replied happily. "We've been spending most of our time with him."

"Wow, that's such a great news to hear. Like permanently?" I asked confused.

"Yes. It was such a happy day Zarak, I cannot tell you. Mom was so happy to see him. She was already guilty, so of course she forgave him quickly. He was so sorry, he kept apologizing to mom and to us. He told us that he had left that woman and he was so guilty. We could see it in the state he was in. He had become so thin and he looked so old and tired. Mom is so much better now. She is quickly regaining her health. Everything is starting to feel better now." She giggled happily. She was so cheerful; it was such a pleasure to see her like this.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she suddenly asked.

"Well, I was thinking how you could forget to congratulate me and also you look so adorable in that scarf."

"Oh my God Zarak, I am so sorry. I am so so happy for you. Congratulations." I laughed at her expressions.

"It's okay love. Do you know how many music companies have offered me jobs and internships and contracts, it's crazy."

"That's so great," she said in a low voice.

"Ameerah, I know that you are worried and want your parents to know about it and take our relationship to the next level, so I want to let you know, that as soon as I get settled in a job, I am going to do exactly that," I informed her happily.

"Zarak, but your dad wanted you to join him in his business," she said.

"Yes he wants that, but I don't want that," I answered sitting straight. Ameerah nodded slightly, "okay."

"Is something wrong, Ameerah?" She seemed to be worried about something.

"No, it's nothing. It's really late and I should go now."

"Okay, I'll drop you home." I said, getting up.

"No, I have the driver with me," she said also getting up.

We came out of the café and stood facing each other. It felt like there was something she wanted to say to me. She was looking at me keenly. "I love you Zarak," she said. It was so simple and so sincere.

My heart melted at her words, "I love you too Ameerah, so much."

I took her hand in mine and began walking her towards her car. She slowly pulled her hand out of mine and folded her arms on her chest. There was definitely something bothering her; it was worrying me.

She waved her hand before sitting in the car. I waved her back and as the car took a U-turn to the other side of the road, I saw her crying and wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

Assalam u alaikum
What do you people think should or will happen now? I would love to know what you think in the comments. JazakAllah khair :)