Strings Attached

~Chapter 15~

"There are some rental flats, or more like private hostels, near your school. I'll see if I can find you a place there." The only conclusion I derive from this information is that I can't let him pay for my board if I've any self-respect left. I won't be anyone's charity case anymore.

And I tell him that in so many words. Uncle is reluctant at first, but then he gives in on the condition that he'll be paying the initial rent, and also... he'd be helping me find a job, unless I'd prefer to get a job in his concern.

He's only relieving his conscience, I know. But I refrain from voicing my thoughts. So, I simply decline his offer. Working in any of his stores is a big and bold 'no'. No more philanthropy. Not from this family, anyway.

Uncle knows, me and Hiba are two ticking time bombs waiting to explode. Or maybe, the explosion has already happened and I'm the victim, since I'm the one losing a roof from above my head. Whatever it is that we are, we can't live together in the same house. It's better for the others' peace of mind that we don't. And so, I'll have to go.

And that's when I'm reminded of her words: "hope you enjoy your last two meals before execution." Of course, she didn't mean it in a literal sense. But the figurative meaning of it isn't savoury in the least, either!

_____

The next day passes by in a flurry. I'm collecting all of my things and packing them off one by one. Uncle Jabbar has found me a place. I can't believe how quick he's been.

He's at the end of his wits, I guess. At least, I'm not being discourteously thrown out of here, contrary to what Hiba may think. I've cleared myself as well as I possibly could. I'm going away with my head held high.

Tomorrow morning, I'd be leaving for the hostel. I'd prefer calling it that. Uncle has got my leave of absence for two days from school, as my guardian.

Also, he'll be going with me for a job hunt in the evening. I can't really forgive Uncle for not believing me yesterday, but I'm really grateful for all that he's doing for me. Maybe, this is his way of repairing the damage.

I've never had a job to go to, before. I wonder how it feels like. I hope it won't be too tiring or eat up my time for studying. I haven't been able to do much studying lately and it's worrying me, big time.

Anyhow, I'm a bit relieved some of my problems have been solved, albeit in a very dissatisfying way, but getting rid of Hiba (her getting rid of me, rather) is a satisfying thing on its own, in retrospect. And I don't have time to mope anyway, since I'm being evicted from here soon.

It's 2 in the afternoon, I've packed up the most of my things when Ayaan comes into my room, softly pattering across the carpeted floor to where I'm sitting on my desk chair looking up this hostel that I've to go to, on the internet.

Earlier in the day, Uncle told me its name and other details, adding that it's situated close to my school in Salford. So, we'd probably try looking for a job for me over there, as it won't cost me much time or money getting to and fro. Everything is so new to me here that I'm afraid, if left alone, I'd surely get lost. I don't know how I'd fare in the days to come.

"Will you live alone, aapi?" Ayaan asks me, coming to stand by my chair and voicing my fears frightfully accurately. His lips are turned downwards in consternation.

"I don't know, darling. Maybe I'll have a roommate... I'll probably have one, don't you worry," I tell him, caressing his cheek to soothe his anxieties.

"But what will you eat?! Who'll cook for you, if not mama?" he continues his series of questions, in spite of me telling him not to worry. His childish notion of only-mama-can-do-things is quite amusing, I have to say. But I'm a little stung by him thinking me incapable, so I mercilessly burst his bubble. Besides, I can't help disliking his mama.