The Nanny

Chapter Thirty Six

"Are you angry at me?" He asked his uncle. I looked at Ahmed and then Imad, a smile creeped on my lips.

"No I am not angry. But I was worried," he replied.

"I am sorry uncle Ahmed," he apologized.

"It's fine buddy, but please don't do that again. Next time I think I'll be the one in the hospital for worrying so much," he said and ruffled Imad's hair.

"Yes Imad you'll turn your uncle into an old grandpa before his time, and then he won't be able to play soccer," I said. Imad giggled.

"Layla I think we both know who's going to get old first," Ahmed said and looked at me. We had a moment, staring into each other's eyes - a look that didn't need any words. I couldn't get myself to look away, besides my efforts. My cheeks flushed and there was a tingly feeling in my stomach, giving away my obvious ecstatic. Adil clears his throat and begins to talk:

"I should be leaving now. I have somewhere I have to be. I'll come visit tomorrow."

"Insha'allah," I said. "Thank you." I turn and look at him.

"You're welcome," he replies. He says goodbye to Imad, and leaves without saying anything to Ahmed. I sat on the bed and started talking to Imad, until he eventually fall asleep.

I didn't leave his side, I watched him sleep — it reassured me that he's fine. Ahmed later on left the room and came back with coffee and a packet of potato chips. "There wasn't many options at the cafeteria," He said, while giving me the coffee.

"This is fine," I said, holding up the coffee.

"Okay." Ahmed sat down on the sofa. I left Imad's hand and took a sip of my coffee. "What about the wedding?" He spoke abruptly. I turned to look at him.

"I guess we'll have to take a rain-check," I said.

"Or we could not have a grand wedding." I looked at him, baffled mostly. "I mean you never wanted a big wedding, so we don't have too."

"You know as well as I do, this wedding is the solidity in this marriage."

"It's not the wedding, Layla. It's the love in the marriage..."

"What are you talking about?" I looked at him. Ahmed stood up from the sofa and walked towards me.

"What I mean to say is..." The door swung open and Sarah walked in holding a get-well-soon helium balloons and a teddy bear. Both of our attention averted to her. She wore an open abaya, and a scarf loosely hanged on her head.  

"The bride and groom in the hospital, instead at the their own wedding. I am so going to publish this story in my magazine," she said, as she kept the balloons and teddy bear on the arm-chair. "Don't worry the reception has been cancelled, the guests did complain but they promised to come to the next one - where nobody is in the hospital and you actually attend the wedding."

"Thank you Sarah," I told her.

"Don't thank me... Ahmed told me everything and I knew what had to be done. Is Imad okay?"

"Yeah he's fine," Ahmed replied.

"That's great," she said and stood on the other bed-side. She looked at Imad and smiled. "I am planning to go to America, and visit my mother."

"Oh Sarah that's great," I said and smiled.

"Along with Rayna, before she opens school. She keeps on insisting that Imad joins us."

"Well he can't," Ahmed replied in a harsh tone. He walked towards the window and stood there.

"What Ahmed is trying to say is that we will have to see if he is feeling better, and we will talk it over with Imad."

"It was just a suggestion. Maybe you guys would have more time to spend time together. Time is the greatest gift of all," She spoke in a modulating tone.

"That's thoughtful of you. Thank you," I replied.

"You are welcome. I have to go, Rayna is in the car with her nanny. I'll come back tomorrow," she said. I stood up and hugged her. "Bye Ahmed," she said before she left the room. Ahmed didn't answer back, he still stood by the window, staring outside. I walked to him and stood next to him.

"What messes us the most in life is the picture in our heart of how it's supposed to be," I said.

Mr Ahmed

My confession...
My love for you is uncontrollable.

"Ahmed," she called out my name. I looked at her.

I am sorry I hurt you so many times.

"Yes?"

Without you nothing makes sense.

"Your sister is just trying to make amends, I am sure she means no harm...." She stopped talking.

You have a place in my heart no one else could ever have.

"I am sorry for intervening. I know it's not my place. I know," She spoke in a quiet tone.

It's you. It's always been you.

"It's fine," I said. "You don't have to be sorry."

***
Thanks for reading.❤️