Can't Lose You

Chapter 1

I shook my head and averted my eyes looking everywhere but her

When I was at the verge of falling from exhaustion, we finally stepped through the exit and I instantly regretted not having savoured the air conditioned atmosphere inside

The air outside was dry and it seemed like the big ass fan with the pipes sticking out on the sides, hurling moist air had little to no effect against the blistering heat. Just a minute later my back was getting itchy from the prickles I felt and my forehead was covered with a thin layer of sweat

Why the hell do they even put these fans here when they know it's not lessening the heat. Fit it somewhere it'll actually be useful!

"What did that poor thing do to you?"

Startled, I haven't noticed I was throwing glares-death glares towards the useless fans. I turned to my left and saw a brunette around my age staring at the fan then she faced me and I recognised her as my cousin

Before I could say anything she hugged me

Did I tell you hugging people wasn't my best talent? Yes hugging is a talent. Not everyone can wrap their arms around another person, lean in and inhale all their foul odours and still meet and greet them like they weren't just sniffing their armpits. Well I sure as hell cant. And not to forget how awkward it is. Pressing your chest with another humans chest that's just not something I'll ever be comfortable with. I'm always up for a handshake or a shoulder pat, sure, but embracing was never my thing

So I did what I was best at, I stood straight like I had a ramrod fitted where my backbone, rightfully, should be and waited for her to let go.

It took her a few moments, longer than I had predicted, to unwound her arms from around me. She stepped back, colour rising in her olive cheeks as she blinked at me

"Bardey" I nodded at her, taking in all her features. Chocolate eyes, big crimson painted lips and a slender figure. I noticed she was only an inch or two shorter than my 5'8. It had been four years since I last saw her

"Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to show up after all these years" A heavy accented voice drifted from my right making me turn. I came face to face with my other aunt, Aunt Samar, who also pulled me in for an embrace to which i had the same response.

She held me back at arms length clearly not noticing my discomfort or plain out ignoring it, as she shook me lightly

"Loosen up, sakheefa. We're not here to hurt you" She said followed by a forceful laugh

I scoffed silently at the 'we are not here to hurt you' part and rolled my eyes when Bardey and Aunt Nina joined in with the laughter, discussing how awfully afflicted I seemed to behave

I resisted the urge to say 'you have no idea'

"Oh Sweet!" Bardey squealed as she took notice of Aurora in Nina's arms. And just like that all the attention was averted from me for which I was glad.

But the judging look Aunt Samar threw my way didn't go unnoticed by me

****

"Crank up the volume, ma"

"This is enough, Bardey"