Yasmeen's POV

"Promise me you'll never leave me. Promise me that we'll always be friends forever." The gray-eyed boy said.

I brought out my pinky to him. He brought out his and we sealed the promise. "I promise."

He smiled a toothy grin and my heart melted. I smiled back. He started to back away. I tried to reach out to him but he was so far away. I started crying....

I woke up crying.

I didn't know why I was crying but it felt like I lost something dear to me. I couldn't remember the dream but it left an ache within me.

The past few days have really been rough on me. Maybe it was just exhaustion and the many things happening but I was tired of being strong. I was weak.

I climbed out of bed and my leg touched something. I looked down and it was a note. I totally forgot about it. I actually thought it was another nightmare but it was real and in the brightness of the day, I felt more scared.

My life had no stability. Nothing was going as planned. Everything was just slowly falling apart and I felt helpless not knowing what to do.

I took my bath, got dressed and decided to go to the hospital but then my stomach rumbled in hunger.

I went to the kitchen to look for something but there was nothing because these days no one actually stayed at home long enough to cook. We mostly ordered out or just take cereals.

I ran back upstairs,took my car keys and decided to go to the eatery Yazid took me to the other day.

I arrived and entered the homey building. The scent of home cooked meal made my stomach grumble in hunger.

I went to the counter and I didn't see maman Aisha but Aisha was there. I smiled warmly at her but she just frowned at me.

I ignored her. "I want what we ordered last time."

She rolled her eyes while chewing gum. "I can't remember."

She was rude and I didn't get why. "Ehrm just give me jollof rice and chicken."

She didn't reply me. I really didn't have time for any childish banters mostly because I was too weak and tired of everything to even bother. I was emotionally drained.

I sat down at the same seat I sat with Yazid when we first came here. And somehow I found myself wishing he was with me. I wonder what he was doing..

I felt someone's presence behind me and turning,I saw Yazid. Talk about the devil.
I didn't like what I saw though. He was badly bruised. His lower lip was cut though it looked like it was starting to heal. His left eye was a little bit swollen and as he walked further towards me,I noticed that he was wincing and it seemed like every step was another pain of itself.

He smiled at me which came of as a grimace and sat down at the chair opposite mine.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here. In fact,I didn't even think you were going to come back here." He said casually.

"What the hell happened to you?" Seeing him that way made my heart hurt and I wish I could do more.

"Got into an accident." He said without meeting my eye and I could tell that he was hiding something. I noticed that about him. Whenever he was trying to brush off a topic or when he's not being completely honest,he doesn't look you in the eye.

"I think there's something you're not telling me."

He was about to speak when Aisha interrupted us by bringing my food. She scowled at me and then turned to Yazid with a big grin on her face. I almost laughed because it was funny.

"What would you like to eat?" She asked him,her voice so innocent.

He waved her off and I saw her smile drop. I kinda felt bad for her honestly. She was trying real hard to get his attention. She turned to me,eyed me and then left. I honestly didn't care.

"She really does like you." I told him.

He shrugged. "And I really do like you."

I think my heart just stopped and I was looking at him with a shocked expression on my face. The way he said it so casually like it was something that obvious,something he knew all along made my heart do things I'd never expected. I was getting dizzy with tinglings  and with the way he was staring at me,I might just melt at the spot.

"Ehrm..ehem..." I cleared my throat not knowing what to say. I always knew what to say.

Thankfully he changed the topic and I felt less awkward. "How's Afrah?"

I composed my self and replied. "She's good. I'm planning to go see her after I finish eating."

I looked down at the plate of food that I hadn't even touched. Him being here distracted me. I grabbed my spoon and started eating. The food was absolutely delicious.

"Bismillah..." I invited him to join me but he just shook his head.

"Greet her for me please." He said. It took me a moment to realize he meant Afrah.

I nodded. "Tell me something about you that I don't know. Not that I even know much about you..."

He chuckled and I smiled loving the sound.

"Well,believe it or not, I'm a great cook."

"Why do I find I it hard to believe that? You don't look like the cooking type."

"I'm a man of many talents mi lady." I laughed at his failed attempt of a French accent.

"So,what else can you do mister man of many talents?"

Aisha interrupted us yet again. "Are you sure you don't need anything?" She asked.

"No Aisha,I don't. Thanks." He said curtly.

Sulking,she left this time without even sparing me a glance.

"Be a little more nicer to her." I said.

"Being nice can make people get the wrong idea about what you want from them. Sometimes,being curt is the best way."

"Hmm..no wonder you weren't nice to me the first time we met. What changed then?"

He was staring at me intently and I was slightly uncomfortable with how familiar his eyes were and how they invaded my thoughts. 

"I got to know you better."

"Fair enough. But I assume you grew up with her. So you should know her better than me that you met just few months ago."

"We didn't grow up together. We moved to their area a few years ago and I never really spoke to her. She was more of my sister's friend."

"Oh that's good. Have you gone to the hospital?" I asked referring to his bruises.

"Not really,I'm not in any pain or anything." I didn't believe him but I dropped the topic.

"I need to go to the hospital." I said standing up. "See you around."

I was reluctant to leave but I had to. I had things to do if not,left to me,I would rather sit here with him and stare at his handsome face. He stood up and followed me. I paid Aisha the money and went outside to where I parked my car.

"Bye." He said.

I waved at him smiling and got into my car and drove off.

• • •

I ran into Salman at the hospital. He was seated at one of those visitor chairs taking a can of fanta.

I still didn't understand his motive because I still didn't fully trust him. A person can't just change overnight. Or can they?

I ignored him but he still stood up to meet me.

"How are you?" He asked.

"I'm fine as you can see." I brushed past him and into Afrah's room.

It was like her condition was deteriorating. She looked so weak and pale I wish I could trade places with her just to take away most of her pain.

Amira was sleeping by her right side so I went to the other side of the bed and held her fragile hands.

"How are you princess?" I asked gently.

Her eyes fluttered open and she tried to smile. "It still hurts. The doctor said he gave me medwicine for the pain but it hurts."

Children were so honest with their feelings that I knew she was genuinely in pain.

I started crying. She used her hands to wipe my falling tears. "Ya yashmeen it's okay,it doesn't hurt anymore."

I kissed her knuckles. "Okay princess,just be strong okay?"

She nodded.

"Ya yashmeen,does baba love me?" She asked sadly.

I frowned not expecting the question. "Yes ofcourse he does princess. Why would you ask that." I felt bad lying to the poor child.

"Because he doesn't come to visit me. And he stopped hugging me and he stopped talking to me." She whimpered.

I shook my head trying to control the tears that were threatening to fall. "Baba is just busy with work princess. He's making money so that we can be happy." I said trying to keep my voice calm. It shatters my heart seeing Afrah like this.

"I don't want money,I just want baba to hug me." She cries. I couldn't help but cry also as she buried her head in my chest as I hugged her.

"Oh princess, he's going to hug you. I'll tell him that you miss him okay?" She nodded as her cries cease and she eventually fell asleep.

She looked so calm right now. The opposite of what she was few seconds ago. I really needed to talk to baba. I had decided not to but for the sake of Afrah I would just have to. He couldn't be that heartless not to see come see his sick daughter right?

I left the hospital and drove back home. Thankfully baba's car was in the garage. I went straight to his study which was also like a mini office and knocked. There was no response. I knocked again and I finally heard a small 'come in.'

It felt like I hadn't seen my dad in like forever and it felt like he had aged a little more compared to the last time I saw him. He was seated with his glasses on his nose. He hadn't shaved in a while and he looked so rough and sad that my heart went out to him. Who knew what demons he was facing himself?

He looked up as I entered and went back to what he was doing. I greeted him but he just nodded. I was about to speak when he spoke first.

"I was about to call you and talk to you about something." He said still not looking at me. It felt like he was avoiding looking into my eyes. "It's good that you came." His voice was gruff. I couldn't recognise it.

"Okay." I braced myself for whatever it was he wanted to talk to me about. I had a feeling I wouldn't like it. My reason for coming could wait a few minutes.

"I'm getting you married to Salman." He said and boom my heartbeat skyrocketed.

***
[A/N]: Afrah keeps breaking my heart💔😢

And what did baba just say?😱 Marriage to Salman? I don't think we heard well. Who saw that coming?

Don't forget to vote and comment💕 The comments motivate me more so please do comment even if it's just a word so I know you're following the story.

Love,
Siyamah🍂