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Chapter 13: Crinkling emotions

For a slight moment, Ahmed hesitated, wondering if he should inform her that from where she currently stood, it would be hard to get autos, but immediately thought against it. Hoping that she knew what she was doing, he left her to fend for herself.

However, before he could act upon that thought and leave, noticing a looming figure, Rufaida instinctively turned around, and much to her surprise, found Ahmed observing her. She knew Afreen's house was somewhere close from here but hadn't anticipated she'd be stumbling upon her brother.

Both of them shared a glance, their little encounter suddenly making Rufaida feel conscious of this guy who had previously used her fragile circumstances against her as a taunt. While Ahmed was tempted to offer help, with the way Rufaida immediately broke eye contact, crossed her arms against herself and turned away from him, proved even if he did, Rufaida wasn't going to accept anything that came from him.

Minding his business, Ahmed thus made his way to the supermarket, but as he went about buying the supplies he was instructed to, he kept peeking outside through the glass wall, slightly bothered upon still finding Rufaida there, all by herself.

Ahmed wasn't raised to turn his back on people in need, he was just not that guy. So although Rufaida was somewhat a stranger to him, and they hadn't had the best of history together, he knew he couldn't leave her stranded all alone at night.

As he stood by the cash counter, he thus fetched his phone and dialed a familiar number.

"Assalamu aliakum, Mubarak Uncle," he greeted.

"Wa alaikum as salam, beta, how are you?"

"Alhamdulilah good. Uncle, have you reached home yet?"

"No, I was driving back, just passed by your house."

"Uncle, could you please do me a favor?" He requested.

"What happened, beta?"

"Someone needs a drop."

"Sure, let me know where I must come."

Grateful for Mubarak, who was the husband of their old maid, and whom they trusted blindly and called him often in Ramadan to drop Zakah and Sadaqah to houses in the slum, Ahmed gave him the necessary instructions. As he paid the cashier, instead of walking back home, he waited by the exit door, just to make sure Mubarak would find Rufaida as per his description and take her home safely.

Ahmed looked on as Rufaida, who was unaware of Ahmed's involvement in this, waved at Mubarak's auto, called out the address to him and seemed visibly relieved when he asked her to take a seat. Now at peace that this was sorted, Ahmed stepped out and decided to head home.

However, while he had thought Mubarak wouldn't notice him since he had already turned the key in the ignition, all set to leave, he wasn't expecting it when the man called his name.

"Ahmed baba, how have you been, see, I told you I'll be there in two minutes and I kept my word, didn't I?"

Holding the grocery bag in hand, Ahmed halted at the statement. He didn't want Rufaida to have the slightest idea of what he had done tonight. If anything, he was scared if she knew it, she'd jump out of the auto and refuse his help. Yet Ahmed wondered if Rufaida would really do that since the odds were against her and she really needed to get home.

Giving Mubarak an uncertain smile, Ahmed peeked at Rufaida, as she looked at him in turn, her curious eyes trying to put two and two.

He realized Rufaida was definitely the kind of girl who'd lunge out and throw his attempt to aid her on his face, but maybe not tonight. Tonight was different, and while Ahmed had a way of making her feel uncomfortable every time he was around, this time was no different, except that it was his kindness that left her uneasy.