Strings Attached

~Chapter 5~

"Do you want us to celebrate the fact that you're leaving us? Do you think us so mean that we'll be glad to get rid of the little girl we love so much? You're a fool to think this way, Hadi. Amma, Abba, me, we all love you and that's why we are sad to see you go." 

"You don't know but all mum talks about is you. What Hidayah would like to wear once she gets there, what the weather will be like, would it suit her or not, what she'd probably miss so she could pack in advance for you. She might not be happy, but she's accepted the changes taking place. Don't worry, she'll come round and talk to you before you go."

"You've been a very good child Hadi, believe me. Even better than me. You always think how it will affect mum and dad before doing anything. You always listen to them, even when you don't want to. Don't think you're selfish, coz you're anything but that!"

"But tell me one thing," she inquiringly says and stops, wiping my tears. I raise my eyebrow, urging her to continue. "Are your intentions purely to tour the place and make mum and dad proud? Or... is there something else too?" Honestly, the question unsettles me a bit. What does she mean? "Do you think there might be something else?" I ask her in return. "No. But I'm curious."

"Is it because you'll have angrez admirers for a change?" Her eyebrows are raised mischievously as she asks me the question. My mouth falls open and I gasp. "Raafiah! How can you even say that?!" I ask her in disbelief. She does a huge roll of her eyes. "Don't be dramatic, okay. You must have thought about it sometime or other." "I'll be wearing my veil, so there won't really be anything to admire for them. Besides, they don't admire girls clad in black from head to toe."

"Aw man, that sucks! Don't deny that you're disappointed though," she says, wiggling her eyebrows mischievously. Gosh! This girl's crazy. And, for a moment I thought she was sane. "I'm neither denying nor accepting it. So be quiet." "You're no fun at all," she whines, pouting her lips in disappointment when I don't give her the answer she desires. I'm glad I'm so good at diplomacy. This way, people can't gauge out my inner emotions and play with them.

After a few moments, I finally decide to tell her. "There's another reason. Want to know what it is?" I ask her and she nods enthusiastically. Sometimes, when Raf acts all senseless, I really think our roles must've been switched at birth. "Are you trying to get away from someone?" she asks me, nearly getting the truth. "Yeah, something like that," I reply. "Who?" "Amir Bhai."

"Amir?!" she cries incredulously. I hastily put a hand over her mouth. "Are you crazy? Keep your voice down!" I whisper-shout at her. "If they hear you out there, they'd think there's something fishy going on." "But, I don't understand. Why Amir? He's the most shareef guy in our family. He's not giving you any trouble, is he?" my very disillusioned sister asks me. 

"If you think of a guy as shareef in these times, dear sister, you have some screw loose," I tell her. "What did he do then?" "He's become a little clingy nowadays. Whenever he catches me alone, he wants to make small talk. And he is always talking about 'when you'll grow up Hidayah, I'll be doing this or doing that'," I mimic his deep voice.

"Why is he around so much these days, anyway?" I ask. "He'll be staying with us until dad comes back after leaving you in Manchester," Raf informs me. I still get confused if I'm going to London or Manchester. Initially, I wanted to go to London. But since I sent all my documents a little late, all the seats were filled there. And I had to settle for the next city on the list. "Oh, okay," is all I can let out at that.