RUNNING

Chapter Twenty-three

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"It's already 2p.m. before Maraya make her way into Afnan's house. Afnan came outside to walk her in, she was surprised to meet many people in the house waiting. She was introduced to Afnan parents, then her brother, Ahmad who briefly greeted her with salam as he is obviously busy with his laptop. She was introduced to Afnan cousins; Aaliya and Ibrahim and another young lady named Faheema who is Aaliya's friend. They all welcomed her warmly and she feel relaxed to be with them.
"You are truly beautiful as she said, I thought she just exaggerated." Aaliya said still looking at Maraya.
Maraya just smiles at her complement, she had noticed the keen look on Aaliya's face since she entered the house, she noticed the resemblance between her and Raheela who she met some days ago.
"Guys I'm so hungry, why don't you leave your chit chat till after lunch." Ibrahim said rubbing his stomach.
"Sorry let's go set the table." Maraya want to follow the three ladies but was stopped by Aaliya.
"You are our guest today, don't worry next time we will enter the kitchen together, Afnan already told me much about your cooking." She said smiling. "Is there something she didn't tell you about me?" Maraya wondered aloud.
"Don't mind her she can be very persistent." Afnan said and hold Aaliya tightly with her as they walked away to set the table.
After spending almost an hour eating and getting to know more about Afnan family. The ladies were at last left alone and are happy to be together in Afnan's room.
The room is very simple but the design is so lovely and rare that Maraya can't help but commend Afnan taste in furniture and interior design. The dominant color is purple and lilac, the bedspread matches the color of the room and the curtains were unique, there is a book shelf at one side of the room and the shape left her to wonder if she get the shelf in Nigeria or not.
"Your room is lovely, every thing look so unique and beautiful. This shelf is so unbelievable nice."
"Thank you." Afnan simply smiled.
"You love the shelf too?" Aaliya said walking towards the shelf, "She had it when she was living abroad, can you believe a friend made it for her?"
"You were living in abroad before?" Maraya was surprised to hear that, although she knows that she was transfered to their school but she did not know from where and they never talked about it since they get close.
"You don't know?" Faheema's voice was laced with surprised. She obviously expect them to be close enough for Afnan to invite her home, since she knew her, Afnan has never show so much interest in anyone like she does for Maraya and it is obvious that she adores her.
"Well we never talked about it." Afnan said looking at Maraya.
"Wow. What did you guys talk about then, I was told you were even roomamates. I guess you two are both workaholic, all you do is talk about book. Right?"
"Wrong" Maraya said, "we talk about so many other aspects of life, we talk about our deen, cooking, fashion and driving."
"I love driving and I enjoy the race as well I can even beat Ahmad and Ibrahim but there is still that one person I am still unable to beat anyway." Aaliya finish her statement frowning slightly.
"And who could that be?" Maraya asked not expecting any peculiar answer.
"Afnan." Faheema said pointing to Afnan as Afnan shrugs her shoulder proudly with a bold smile. With the look from Maraya face they can all guess she has doubt about their statement.
"I can see there are so many things you don't know about my sister." Aaliya said "Let's play game of question, we will ask each other twenty questions. And the rule is that there is no lie, if there is a question you want to avoid then you have to pay a penalty."
"I like that. At least we will get to know each other more." Maraya said.
"Don't be so confident that you will have all your questions answered." Afnan warns Maraya looking towards her cousin.
"Well I can't help it when am so talented in uncovering people's secret." Aaliya smiled mischievously and they all gathered round the table to start the game.
By the time they asked five questions from each other Maraya had understand the warning her roommate gave her about Aaliya, she really have a way of asking you questions you don't really want to answered aloud. They paused for sometimes to pray after saying their evening supplications they resumed the game.
It was the call of Magrib prayer that bought them out of their deep chat, after the game they have all known so many things about each other and some of the new things Maraya know about her roommate is her crush and her engagement, she can't deny how much she enjoyed her stay and she was convinced that Afnan life is not at all boring as she initially guessed.
After saying their prayers, Afnan apologised that she will not be able to drop Maraya by herself as her parents will not allow her to drive in the night but she was able to persuade her brother to take her home.
Maraya said her goodbye to them and express her thoughts on how much she enjoy their company, they all said the same and told her how much they look forward to more of their meetings in the near future. They plan to have a car race among the four of them before their resumption and they also promised her a visit.
Afnan mother packed some snacks for Maraya and some food when she excused waiting for dinner because of lateness, the elderly woman told her how much she appreciate her visit and how welcome she will be anytime she decide to visit.
At last, she said her goodbye and it everyone escort her out to the garage where Maraya's brother and her male cousin are waiting for her. She entered the car which she already know belonged to Afnan and wave to all standing by as Ahmad drove away. It has been a whole new experience for her and she was glad to have the joyous feeling, she can't wait to tell her mom how her afternoon went.

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Sorry for the super late update, I hope you will enjoy this chapter like I enjoyed writing it.
Can you make any guess about next chapter? Well it's going to be Ahmad POV. Maybe you are yet to sense it but there is little chemistry going on.....
For those who stick around till now, jazakallahu khairan. I love you.