ANISA'S PIC 👆

I've never been tongue tied.
Well... If you exclude the one time I tried sneaking out at night through my room window and was caught red handed by Abu. Afterwards, he had changed my room and made me clean his car for a week.

Even though I had fun serving my punishment, I was still embarrassed and couldn't meet his eyes for a long time.
You get the gist, don't you?

Now, this moment would be the second time I'm feeling this way. And it's not because I've been caught acting naughty, but because I am speechless.

" Assallam alaikum, " he greeted.

" wa alaikum salaam, " I replied suddenly feeling embarrassed.

" so... She's your daughter? "I asked even though I knew that was a rhetorical question.

" yes,and I believe we've met before, " he said.

" of course, thanks for that night, "

He nods, and just then the lady arrived with the things I bought.
" thanks, "
After the lady left, I mustered up courage, looking into his eyes, I gave him a half smile.
" I'll be on my way, now, "

" wait... Can I talk to you for a moment, please? "

I hesitated before shrugging. He leads us to the coffee shop across the clothing store, holding his daughter's hand firmly. I force myself to look away.

This isn't the time to be reminiscing.

We sat down and he ordered a drink for his daughter. He looked my way in a way of asking what I wanted, and I shook my head.
"thanks, "
Shrugging, he completed his order and faced me.
I'm curious, what did he wanted to talk about?

" my name is Dr. Zahir Yusuf, I'm a psychologist. That night, I picked up some signals that you were in need of help, and I thought I could help. Though, I wasn't expecting us to meet soon, I saw you this afternoon, " he said calmly.

I had no idea where this conversation was heading, but I listened attentively.

" I want you to see me as a friend. I'm willing to help you in anyway I can for the sake of Allah (SWT). With my experiences, I know people in your condition often have trust issues, but I can help you with that if you'd let me - "

" so, are you saying you'd render your services for free? " I cut him off,my tone coming off a bit too sharp.

" not everything is about money. Many people are out there struggling... Struggling to survive in the world they find themselves in. If I'm in the situation to help out, I won't hesitate - " he removed his glasses," - I have a feeling you're willing to heal, " he said.

" I don't think you should help me, it'll only be a total waste of your time. I'm mentally imbalanced... I almost ran your daughter over, didn't you see? "

" I know that you're not, you're just passing through a phase in life. However, I don't want you to feel pressurized. This is my card, don't hesitate to contact me when you need help, " he pushed a card forward and stood up, his daughter mirroring his actions while playing with his phone.

Strangely, there was this warm feeling which bloomed in me knowing that there are still people out there who are willing to help others even though they barely know them.

" thanks,"

"you are welcome, miss, " he said.

" Huda... Huda Sultan "

" And I apologize for my daughter's actions, she's just hurt, "

I watched as the little girl looked down shyly, and I bend down to her height raising her chin up with my hands.

" I'm sorry for almost running you over, do forgive me? "

She looked up at me with her doe eyes, nodding her head shyly.

" I'm also sorry , " she whispered.

I watched as they left the shop, my eyes glistening with unshed tears.
" I'm sorry too, Janan "

* * *
After a lot of searching and deliberation, I found a nice apartment. It was located in the heart of the city. Now all that's left is Abu's approval.
As I parked the car in the garage, I noticed an odd car. Abu wasn't a fan of collecting cars so I knew it wasn't his.

After locking the car, I walked towards the living room wondering who could be the guest.
"ha, look who's here? "
" grandma? ", I said though it sounded like a question.

Walking closer to where she sat, I greeted her and she hugged me. Feeling awkward, I hugged her back.

" grandma, I had no idea that you'll be here so soon, " I said after we parted from the hug.

She slowly smiled, her eyes somewhat twinkling. I knew she was very much excited to be here, with her family.

" oh my baby, "she gushed excitedly.

" grandma, please don't call me that, "I complained looking around.

Thankfully, no one else was here.
She just laughed pinching my cheeks adorably.
" where were you when I arrived? Your sisters said they had no knowledge of your location, ".

I sighed," I went out to clear my head".

I watched as she brought out her cell phone from her bag, excitement written all over her face. Seeing this, I made myself comfortable on the floor beside her. This was going to be a very long conversation.

"There was this boy I met at the airport with an incredibly nice attitude, " she rambles and I tried not to zone out.

" what do you think about this one?"
Her voice suddenly echoed in my head and I jerked,looked at her, then at the phone.
"he appears... Nice, I guess... "I trailed off, and watched as she sighed shaking her head in exaggeration.

" that's all you've got to say? " Her voice filled with disbelief.

Grandma likes to talk about this kind of things like she's still a teenager. Usually, it was her and Ayesha, but Ayesha is nowhere to be seen which automatically makes me her prey.

I'm not complaining, as I know very well that she doesn't have a companion back at the province, and she refuses to come live in the mansion here.

"I heard that Laiqa's fiance is a total charmer, is it true? "

" yeah, every one thinks his charming, "I said in monotone.

Grandma seems to detect the lack of excitement in my tone, as she stares at me intently, her left eyebrow arched.
" don't you like the boy?"

"No, "

Her phone beeped stopping her from saying something else,and her eyes lit up when she looked at it.

" who's that grandma,?"

" yeah baby, that's Surrie, "

" who's Surrie? " I asked confused, silently hoping that it wasn't one of her crush she met at the airport or something.

She playfully hit my arm, " now what's with the face? Surrie is a cool girl who does my hair and she's talented in henna design. I invited her for the wedding, "

Okay?

I almost forgot that the wedding was due in a few days time.
" granny, who else did you invite to the wedding? "

Knowing my grandmother very well, I have a feeling that Surrie isn't going to be the only guest from her side.

She beamed. " right. Do you remember that lady whose daughter ran away with some city guy? "

" yes? "

" I met her recently at the market and invited her. Her daughter had given birth and was staying in this city, so that's a bonus, " she said, and I nod clueless as to how the wedding was going to be a bonus to the woman.

" your aunt is going to be here any soon. She's coming with a few friends and her flight is scheduled to take off in the next two hours. Exciting isn't it? The mansion is going to be filled with joy and happiness,"

Well, I don't feel enthusiastic about that.

"I guess? "

Just then we heard the clinking of shoes, followed by a dramatic gasp.

" oh my goodness! Granny I miss you, " squealed Ayesha with her twin right behind her.

" why? I'm not dead yet! " Grandma said cheekily and i couldn't help but laugh alongside with the twins.

" you girls have grown since I last saw you. Anisa, how's college going? "

Anisa smiled and sat down on by the right side of grandma, massaging her feet.

" her head has been buried in books ever since forever granny. It's pure torture," Ayesha sighed dramatically.

Anisa looked up at her twin slightly raising her brow and they seemed to be having a conversation with their eyes.

"fine, " Ayesha huffed and I rolled my eyes.

" I saw your post online. So, who was that cute guy beside you in the pic? " Ayesha asked with a dreamy look making me roll my eyes.

" that was the boy I was talking about just now. He is a well mannered and smart kid. Can you believe that he's self employed at a very young age? He told me he would be around in the city, so I invited him, "

" maybe, I'm going to find my other half sooner, "
Ayesha grinned from ear to ear while her twin rolled her eyes.

Atleast I'm not the only one a bit irritated here.

" and guess what? Hopefully one of you will find your perfect match during this wedding. I have a good feeling about it, aren't you all excited? "

This is the part of conversations where I suddenly wish I could disappear or something. You know, to avoid facing the topic.
" not at all, "I heard Anisa mutter under her breath.

" I heard that young lady, " Grandma fired back.

" well, I'm so excited. Maybe I'll find my other half Anisa , you know like the ones in those books, " Ayesha still had the dreamy look on.

" that's why they are called fiction, men like that don't exist, Ayesha, " Anisa replied in a monotone.

I totally agreed with her, nobody like the fictional characters in those books exist.

" I beg to disagree, we just haven't met someone like that yet, " Ayesha said hotly.

" if you say so, sister, " Anisa raised her hands up in mock surrender. Weirdly, I found it quite amusing, the corners of my lips twitching.

" you girls still have a life to live before thinking about commitments and things like that, " I said standing up and brushing off the imaginary dust on my dress.

I didn't miss the way grandma looked at me, nor the way Ayesha's eyes softened, while Anisa was scrutinizing me.

" excuse me grandma, I have a script to revise, "I said.
She nods, and I turn to go.

" um, Aunt Maria just messaged. She said to send someone come pick her up at the airport. Her flight is to land in the next thirty minutes, " Anisa suddenly dropped the bombshell on me staring at her cell phone.

"Wow!"

" what! "

Ayesha and I exclaimed the same time.

" Huda, mind turning down the octaves of your voice? " grandma cautions and I just blankly stare ahead.

" but didn't she said that her flight was delayed for a few hours? " Ayesha asked confused.

" apparently, she wanted to make it a surprise, " Anisa replied while typing on her phone.

All this didn't bother me other than the fact that Aunt Maria was in the city, breathing the same air I'm living on. Nothing was more devastating than that fact.

My instincts were right when I had foreseen this upcoming wedding as a disaster.
My biggest nightmares were becoming real, and you know the best part?

My pasts were coming to haunt me when I least expected.
Great, isn't it?

Author's Note :
How's the chapter?
Huda doesn't seem excited for this wedding, any ideas why?

Have a nice day! ❤

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                  Much love💖
                                  Midha...