#FewWords
Don’t become unkind as a result of what others may have done to you. Don’t let their actions turn you cold on the inside. Seek comfort and solace in the Almighty. He is the Healer of broken hearts. Learn from the experience but don’t become bitter.

Recall
"I can try to explain to her but the thing is, the paper might have it all wrong and put a totally different thing on the story" she complained and I understand her worry because of how her mum is

"Well..."

"Come on, let's go!" A teacher got our attention and our conversation was interrupted.

Chapter Thirty Two
Salma's POV
Well, this is going to be interesting, how can Mr Macaulay choose me out of everyone to stay behind.

"Hmm, so Nasir, we'll be leaving" Jackson smiled at him and I kinda think it's a weird smile.

"Later bro!" Hammad chuckled

After a few minutes, they all left and I was the only one left behind.

"Are you the girl that Mr Macaulay talked to me about" Mrs Fatimah asked me

"Yes ma" she had this look I can't place my fingers on, she was just unreadable.

"Hmm, come on, let's go" Nasir said

"You can wait for him here" Mrs Fatimah said

"No..." Nasir said and I immediately looked at him because I was confused for a second, his face didn't look usual.

"Come on, let's go" the man pushing the wheel started to but I quickly got it from him. Mrs Fatimah didn't say anything, she just kept quiet and my surprise doubled. Nasir doesn't sound like one of those spoilt rich brats, but I can't say though.

"I'm sure you were the one that got me here" I started talking when we got to his room.

"Hmm, how did I?"

"I'm sure you must have told the principal you needed revisions for the exams, now I'd be stuck with you for the next few days before exams" I rolled my eyes

"I'd be stuck with an annoying fellow like you" I added

"Nahhh, you are wrong there, corrections... corrections... you'd be stuck with this handsome dude" he touched his imaginary beard and I couldn't prevent myself from laughing

"Ohh pleaseee"

Our conversation went on for a few minutes and I decided we should study.

"Hmm, let's read the last topic in Chemistry for one hour and we'd ask each other questions" Nasir suggested and we both agreed

Nasir's POV
"That's his father's business, I don't care about the both of them, you need to see the mess Nasir made yesterday, I had to pretend to cry, I smudged my make-up!" this sentence my mum made always pops into my head since I heard her say it. This sentence has also made me to calm down and take things slow with my dad but I'm still confused as fuck!

These days, anything my mum says or does gets me annoyed.

My dad told me to take some rest so I told him I needed the Senior Prefect to come over so we could study together. He was a bit confused as to why I chose Salma but he didn't decline.

How I feel when I see Salma smile is unexplainable, I don't even know what on earth is going on with me to be honest.

I've noticed that she has also started getting a bit free around me, talks more than the first time we met each other.

After an hour of studies, we asked each other questions.

"Hmm, Salma, how's Double Zee?"

"She's fine" immediately she said that her expression changed for a second.

"Are you okay?" I asked her

"What do you mean?"

"No, I mean it, you can talk to me if you have something disturbing you" I calmly spoke to her because I sincerely believe in talking about what disturbs you, if you have something you are going through, look for someone trustworthy and talk about it, it's a good thing. If you can't write about it, just write because that's my own way of escape

"Nooo..." Her voice was lowered

I knew something must be eating her up because of the condition I found her in the day we traveled, her mother's reply to our question that day and a few other things but I doubt she'd give in and talk about it.

"Listen Salma, you can talk to me..."

"Hahaha, listen listen, don't change the atmosphere and make it sound like I'm about to commit suicide, nothing's wrong" she interrupted me and lightly laughed again

"Ohh, okay then" I dropped the topic because I didn't want to make her uncomfortable, don't push a person to talk about what they feel, they'd talk about it when they are comfortable about it.

"You have a nice room" she stood up from the chair she sat on and looked around

"Thank you but this isn't my room, my room's upstairs"

"Ohh" she nodded her head and looked around as if she was trying to ignore something or someone.

"Let's go eat something"

"Thought you'd never say that" she walked right to the door, opened it and walked to the right which is the way to the parlor, I didn't even try to stand up or do anything even if I could actually stagger and walk around but my dad objected and brought in the idea of a wheelchair which is terrible. I try to walk when I'm alone though.

This time, I deliberately waited for her to realize I was on a wheelchair. I calmly sat like a beautiful damsel who awaits her king in shining armor's presence.

"Nasir?" She called out

"I'm really sorry, thought you had legs"She burst out laughing

"Salma, you... you are wicked! I have legs!" I joined her to laugh

After we had a light snack and studied for 2 more hours, my dad came back home when Salma was about to leave.

"Good evening sir" She greeted my dad with her head slightly bowed as a sign of respect.

"Good evening, how are you?" My dad answered with his voice emitting authority.

They exchanged pleasantries and I just kept quiet waiting for a chance to interrupt them so my dad doesn't pop in with a life interview.

"Daaddd..." I called out but he was still talking to her

"So, you are the Senior Prefect of the entire school?" She nodded her head while smiling a little at him

"That is amazing! Females..."

"She's about to leave sir" I loudly said

"Ohh, my regards to your family please"

Salma stood up from the couch and we bid each other farewell.

After Salma left, I went back in and had a light discussion with my dad, things have been really smooth between us for a while now, we talked about random things, laughed a lot till he excused himself.

I wanted to tell him about what my mum said but I didn't because I don't think our relationship has gotten to that stage yet and I might just be misunderstanding all that she said...or am I overthinking... I don't even know what to do about that but I can't act like I heard nothing. Infact, the moment I set my eyes on her, her words start ringing in my ears.

Zainab's POV
"Good evening" Maryam greeted me and I mumbled a reply.

Earlier, Salma's school called Ahmad seeking for permission if Salma could have revisions and study with Nasir, he wanted to decline but I explained to him that she could use that to clear somethings off her mind since she had exams in a few days. He ended up agreeing after I further explained to him that I knew Nasir one on one and he was part of the new friends Salma made.

"As-salamu Alaikum'." I quickly turned to the door when I heard Salma's voice. She walked right to where I was, greeted me and went to her room without letting me start any conversation.

I can't stay around her like this, I know she'd totally change her behavior towards her mum and I don't want to witness it because of a few reasons. I already completed the job I had so I decided to travel back to Zayn since it has been a while I left and we also need to visit the hospital.

"Is she back?" Ahmad slowly sat on the couch.

"Yes, she is" I answered

"Do you know things are getting really Moody in this house? you should find a way to handle everything please" I quietly said, he didn't even say anything.

"I'm trying to, it's just...difficult" Ahmad dropped his head and I totally understand what he's going through.

"I'll be traveling back, in a few days"

"What?" He raised his head immediately I said those words

"Is everything okay?" He asked me

"Yeahh, everything is okay"  but he still continued looking at me

"Everything is okay Ahmad" I smiled

"Immediately Salma starts her exams, I'll travel" I added

"Well, I pray it's for the best

"You are welcome Ruqayyah" I sarcastically said when I saw her walk in, I've been trying my possible best to try not to do anything out of the boundaries but I can't control myself so it's better I leave.

Ruqayyah just plastered a typical fake smile and said Salaam.

"The food is ready Zainab" Umm Kulthum informed me

"Okay" ma'am I smiled at her

"Call Salma and co" I stood up and went to the kitchen to grab a cookie cos it has been on my mind for a while

Salma, Maryam and their dad came together, we all sat down and waited for Ruqayyah.

"Mum said she isn't hungry" Maryam looked down

"Ohh, okay" I said

"This is delicious!" Maryam smiled widely

"Yeahh, it is" Salma almost rolled her eyes

"Hahaha" I unwillingly laughed because I couldn't keep it in.

They all looked at me but I smiled it away. After dinner, Salma and Ahmad stayed back for few minutes while Maryam went upstairs.

"Hmm, Abba, we'll soon start our exams and you know about Nasir...the boy..." She stuttered

"Yeahh, the school has informed me" Ahmad answered her question before she even asked.

"Ohh, well...ok then, I'm going upstairs, goodnight Abba" she side hugged her dad

"Aunt Zee, goodnight" she smiled at me

"Hello..." I heard her speak into the phone, who is it calling her by this time.

"Yeahhh, I'm fiinnneee" she slowly walked up the stairs.

"Nope..." Her voice faintly came again as she was getting far from us

Salma's POV
Why's Nasir calling me by this time of the night we've already prayed Isha and had dinner.

These days, he has been acting a lil different and I've also been a lil different towards him, I feel...this can't happen please, it shouldn't be what I'm thinking please

"So, what's up" his husky voice came again

"What's up? Nothing's up..." My voice laced with sarcasm.

"You've gotten nothing for me?" He asked and I was totally confused because did he actually call for a chat

"You called me to chat?" I asked

"Is it a crime?" He said and I knew his face must be plastered with a smirk

"Noo, it's just...late" I answered

"I miss you" He said out of the blue and my whole body just went numb for a second, the atmosphere changed and the only thing I could hear were his light breath through the phone.

"Hmm, hello..." I tried to change the lighten the thickness of the atmosphere but I didn't know what to say after that

"I called because I miss you, goodnight" he finally said and I just couldn't get myself together, what does he mean by that.

From that moment, I couldn't sleep, I just kept on thinking about Nasir and all that has been between us, I'm even surprised at myself.

Does he like me? Or is he starting to like me? I don't understand a thing from what he said to be honest. All should be well, I guess.

The next day things went as usual, I wore a long emerald green gown which was a bit lose, complimented it with a lighter shade of green and went downstairs for breakfast. The scarf was among the ones aunt bought for me

"You look gorgeous!" Aunt squealed

"Aunt..." I started laughing at how she behaves sometimes, just amazing!

"Ahmad, you've got a beautiful daughterrr" she smiled

"Hmm, of course, she's tall, slim and beautiful!" He added

"Abbaa..." I looked at him

"Will you go to school orr..."

"No, direct to Nasir's house" I said

We had our breakfast and everyone left after that.

I was taken to Nasir's house by their driver.

"Hello, just come in" I heard him muffle

"Good morningg..." My voice went down, I couldn't even look at him. I'm the type of person that can meet a person on more than 3 occasions but I wouldn't still know how their face looks like. I don't look at a person eye to eye and what happened last night is making it worse.

The previous night's phrase he said added to everything.

"Salma, you look gorgeous today" he randomly said again

"OMG, Nas, did you take something after I left yesterday?" I narrowed my eyes because everything was getting outta hands right now.

"Yeahh, I took something... something new..." He stopped

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End of Chapter 32, thank you so much for your reads and don't forget to vote, comment and share.

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