Hmm, what is it?*nothing*
You need update?
*uh, yes*
Here you go! 😛
********
"It was dreadful, Aaliya. To be treated like that. My Dad, he thought I was happy. Happy with that dreadful woman. I ran away from there. I had drugged the dreadful woman with something I can't yet recall. I ran to the nearest booth and called me Uncle, Zain Kalim Abdullah, he had the same name as mine." He stops taking a sharp intake of air, he continues, "Uncle called me to Seatle immediately. I had the next train grab me and I was there. Uncle had given me some work at a local factory. But my Aunt Abdullah, she didn't like having me at her home. I was malnourished, beaten, clothes torn, whenever I used to return home. Aunt made me do all her chores. Uncle Zain, on the other hand, had not a single clue."
"So how..?" He nods, understanding my question.
"I had realized quite soon that Aunt didn't like me, so I left a note for Uncle Zain saying that he doesn't need to follow me as I'll come back after a while. I asked him not to try to trace me, contact me or try to figure out where, how, and why I went away. I told me him to lead his life the way it was and tell others I was ill and had a demise." Demise, the word constricts my heart. I hug him tighter. He realizes my pain and puts his arm around me, tighter.
"You never saw your Uncle, again?"
"Nope. I tried contacting him a few times. But I'm afraid he had- uhm, I went to his old house but there was already someone else living there. I asked a lot of neighbours if they knew where my Uncle was, but they said they just went away. My Uncle was the kindest man I'd ever seen. He loved my Aunt unconditionally. Though one of the neighbours told me that Uncle Zain had a huge loss in business and he was fired."
"So you came back and started your business?"
"Yeah, maybe like that. I was working as a assistant for quite a while. I got promoted. Then one day I.."
"You?" I ask him to continue.
"Dad found me." Oh thank god!
"That's... relieving. What happened then?"
"Uhm, he kinda asked me to come back. I remembered his wife, those scars still red and sensitive. He told me he knew, knew all along what his hell of a wife had being doing. But his wife had blackmailed him, to tell everyone he had raped her before marrige. Which of course, was a big fat lie! She asked for money, more money, more money, Dad asked for a divorce. A simple, straight-forward divorce, and I-" He stops and looks at the wall clock. I mirror his actions.
"What?" I ask.
"It's late, Aaliya. You should go."
"You want me to go?"
"I thought you don't miss work?" He smirks through his tear stained face. My heart constricts as I hold his face in between my hands, wiping away his tears.
"Don't you want me to say?"
"Oh trust me, I want you to settle here. But, as much as selfish I am, I need you to go. Go grab some dollars!"
"You want me to come back?"
"Uh, I had a thought in my mind."
"What is it?"
"I'm returing to Seattle this evening, by my Charlie Tango. I'd like you to come with me, that's if, you like to. And if you have better plans-"
"Pick me at 6, please."
"Certainly, Miss Haider." I smile at him as I snuggle closer.
The day passes like a year. Time goes away so slowly. All through the day I keep dreaming about Zain, his eyes, his well sculpted mouth, his smile, his everything. You love him, my inner goddess says. Oh freak! Of course I don't. Do I? You can't fall in love with him in a week or so, Aaliya! my rational self shouts at me, pouring herself a glass of fresh milk. Oh you can, just look at him. The Greek God you have been waiting for, my inner goddess states as she gulps a few sips of the most expensive brandy.
"Haider?" Jose. Oh shit!
"Jose? You.. you are here." Shit, it's 15 minutes to 6! If Zain comes here and sees Jose near me, he'd kill him no doubt. I try to shoo him away.
"Yep pretty much. Look about yesterday-"
"I need to rush, Jose. I have some urgent-"
"Oh come on, Aaliya. Stay, please. I know you are mad at me for what I had done that day and.. well, I was drunk for god's sake! I was like too drunk too even think rationally.. It.. It just- happened. You can't stay life-long mad at me for tht! Come on, we're best friends Aaliya. Since you came to Port Land, we were always friends."
"Aaliya?" I hear an angelic man-like voice. I turn around to see Zain standing there.
"It's you, Abdullah." Jose rolls his eyes.
"I've told you before, and I'm telling you again.. GO AWAY. If I ever see you with her again, near her, that'll be your last day. Bear that in your mind! And that's of course if you have any."
"Stop all your shitty talks Abdullah. Don't act as if you care for her. Don't act innocent, Abdullah. The whole world may think you are sweet and whatever that shit is, but I know.. I know what you did with my sister!"
"LEILA WAS NOT YOUR SISTER." Zain shouted. They started glaring at each other, making me feel as if I was misplaced. I had know Jose for years. And I know Zain now, more than anyone, as he states.
"She was! She was my godamn sister!"
"She was a only orphan child! If that was some shitty lie, I'm afraid you'll have to talk to her. That's if, she's sane! I didn't ruin her, you did! Your freakin' parents did! They adopted her, and they freakin' used her." He closes his eyes as if couting to 10 to shut down his anger, "Look, whoever you are, I'm NOT interested! It isn't your damn business whether I like Aaliya or not, whether she loves me or not. She's an adult and I'm pretty much sure she can make her own decisions. That's if, you leave her freakin' alone!"
"I leave her alone? You do! You and your family do! Your shitty father-"
"DON'T say a word about my father, you son of a-"
"What's happening here?" Mr. Clayton, the owner, enters hearing the unbearable noises. I look apologetically up at him. He looks at me, then at the duo.
"This man here is harrassing your employee." Zain barks at Mr. Clayton not taking his eyes off Jose. God, open the ground and swallow me in, with Zain!
"Jose? What the hell are you doing here? My sincere apologies, Mr. Abdullah."
"It's okay, we are just leaving." He gives Jose a one last glare and takes my hand as we stroll out of the shop. My heart beats increase. Shit, what's happened?
Hi! Howz it? 😃
I hope I didn't bore you, did I?
Jose is indeed an a- my apologies.
I'll cont asap! Promise!
My exams starting Monday!
It's an easy one, so no worries. 😆
My clg has gone crazy!
New admins ki wajah se dey always do this.
Last year mere 2nd sem 2 mahino mei khtm!
Can you freakin' imagine that?
I hope you didn't mind my lang though. 😛
-Tani.
