<<I'll add dedications when the book will end! :D >>

Chapter Seventeen

Towards & Onward

(Maahirah Furqaan)

23rd January.

When I woke up today and decided to ditch school I wasn't expecting visitors but a complete rest and relaxation. I also wasn't expecting for the house to be a chaos when I emerge out of the washroom with Aayan's arm around my shoulders.

I'm shocked to see, Aaron with a black plastic bag running around the kitchen with Ian throwing in edible items in that bag. Fakhir is pacing around the lounge with a phone pressed to his ear. Jarred simply stares at us. Iris has been sent away apparently.

"What's going on?" Aayan voices out.

"Relocation." Jarred answers just then Destiny and Fadiya heave down the stairs with two backpacks. Fadiya tosses a backpack to me.

I almost recoil back with the force and the weight. "What is inside this?"

"Your necessities and stuff." She says.

"Where am I go?" I frown.

"You'll know." She pats my cheeks. "Listen up everybody. Please take a seat. We need to talk. Jarred listening bugs or any kind of devices were detected?"

"Nope," He scratches his head. "Sebastian was really here to just pay a visit? Something isn't adding up."

"Yes, something is terribly wrong and will go downhill soon." Aayan nods along with him.

When everyone is seated on the couch, Fakhir looks at Fadiya and takes a deep breath. "Maahirah what I'll say right now to you will not make sense at all. In fact, nothing will make sense anymore because we've reached an end, an ultimatum. It's time you get this that you're no more safe here as you were before this we all know but you.

What Sebastian did today is something we cannot simply overlook; we've to take actions.He wasn't merely here to pay you visit as Jarred said but there again is a motive which I cannot think of any right now. However, it's important you understand this that you've to come with us. We're not going to Elton headquarters but we're planning something else. Something big. Your parents and sister need to be relocated to London which is safe for them right now and it's far."

I gasp. "London, but....."

"Maahirah, Sebastian and his troops can use them as a bait to get you. For all we know, if you're with us, he might bomb your house and you'll never know. Your parents are holding you back from leaving which is putting them and you in a spotlight to be killed." Fadiya pauses. "Also, the prophecy we were talking about months ago it was about you and now we came to think of Aayan."

At this Aayan looks up and locks his wide eyes with Fadiya.

"Yes, Aayan, you two are supposed to find certain clues which we're trying to figure out. It's not like we know anything. We're there though. Slowly but strongly." Fadiya mumbles.

"We've booked your family tickets and a stay for about 6 months. They leave tonight and we after them." Fakhir says punctuating the end of the discussion.

****************

I don't ask anyone much after that. I wait and dread the time when Mom and Dad will enter the house and will have to face their packed luggage and tearful goodbyes. They won't be allowed to sit or eat something before they will be rushed off by an Uber to the airport.

I bring my knees closer to my chest and hug them as I stare at the clock across from me. 2:45 PM.

Fakhir and Aayan are in the kitchen talking.

2:50 PM.

Fadiya, Destiny and Jarred are sitting on the staircase waiting.

2:53 PM.

Aaron and Ian are paused by the main door.

3:00 PM. My heart goes from normal to fast. I see nothing but the clock and hear it singing. 3:05 PM. 3:10 PM.

At 3:15 PM, the doorbell rings. I stay rooted, paralyzed. I hear footstep running. Chains unbolting. Door cringing. Air rushing in. The door opens and closes.

Silence.

Someone clears their throat.

"Hello, Mr and Mrs Furqaan and look at you little girl," Fakhir is saying.

I know Mom is clutching her arms around Vaneeza. Dad staring. All of them red in their cheeks.

"I'm sorry but you are not safe here anymore. You've to go. To London. Here are your passports, bags and tickets." Fakhir.

Silence. I hold my own breath waiting for an outburst.

"Maahirah?" Dad's heavy voice meets my ear. I sink into the couch.

I stand up when he calls me again and look at him. I stagger towards me and catches me in his arms before I fall.

He is my hero. My King.

"Daddy, I'm so sorry," I cry against his torso. I can feel him shaking as he controls his emotions.

"No, my Princess, I'm sorry," He thrusts something into my coat's pocket. His beard tickles me on the cheeks when I move back, frowning at him. He places his hand behind my head and whispering, "It's something you should do when you miss me. I really pray to meet you but if time ceases to win then know this, that I love you always and forever and I'm so proud of you for each and everything you do." He sucks in air. "I knew this day will come when we've to separate. I was prepared and now you do your part with a brave heart and end this for once and for all."

I lose the ability to speak as tears rush out from my eyes. My mind circles this question that why am I the last to find everything out? I hug Mom and then Neez who is crying so hard that I press her too deeply into me.

"Maahirah," She hiccups.

"Yes, my love."

"Here take this. Remember me and come meet me soon. When you're done saving the world." She sniffs handing me the scarf that was around her neck. With her small hands she wraps it around my neck and with a smile, says, "There. You look better in it then I did."

I laugh and give her a kiss.

Within seconds, they are ushered to the waiting car. Aayan watches them drift into the darkness.

And, then Fakhir's Jeep is in the driveway and we all fit ourselves into the car. I press myself in the last row to the window and stare at my house where I spent my childhood and teen days. It gets swallowed by the darkness but my tears never get stopped by the tear glands.

When we are fifteen minutes away from the house, we hear it. The bomb blast. The explosion loud enough to reverberate over the sleeping town as efficiently as a thunder clap. My wide eyes clash with Destiny who is next to me who is mumbling, "Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God."

"It was your house, Maahirah. The camera I planted before leaving is showing the footage here on my phone just before it caught fire." Fakhir is saying from the passenger seat. Aayan looks at me from the rear window. His eyes pained, trying to reach out to me but he can't, he is the selected driver.

Sebastian had a motive. He was planning to get rid of me and my family but they saved me again. Not my house but my family.

**************

Subhan Allah Subhan Allah! It's raining here again. And, the sound of rain is the perfect combination to reading and writing. I'm reading Everything Everything these days. What about you guys?

How was your Eid?

I'm back with a bang! The next update will be soon. The book is going to end soon. About 5-6 chapters left *sobs* That's why this chapter is short. Next update Saturday! <3

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Much love and prayers and rain,

Waardaah❤