Bookworms | ✔

bonus - a doctor's hinderance

The two kids narrowed their eyes at their father.

"We're not nervous," scoffed Daris, crossing his arms over his chest in an attempt to look intimidating.

Nicholas flicked his forehead.

"Ow!" yelped Daris, quickly rubbing the spot as he scowled at his father, a similar expression to his wife. "Dad!"

Dina was too busy going through her checklist while speaking to her editor-in-chief on the phone, rolling her eyes every now or then. Her eyes gestured to the kids, and Nicholas mouthed, 'don't worry,' in hopes of easing her tension. She already had too much to deal with.

Nicholas tilted his head at his kids. "You know we still have a couple minutes left with you two. Now would be the best time to confess," he persuaded, smiling gently.

His daughter sighed, nudging her brother.

"Do you have to go?" Daris asked softly, averting his gaze and shifting on his feet. "Is it that important?"

Nicholas's gaze immediately softened. "Yes, we have to."

"But why?" pleaded his daughter, Naira. Her eyes widened, lips in a small pout.

He pulled her into his embrace, holding his sweet little girl closer to his chest as her tiny arms wrapped around his neck. Extending his arm, he brought his son closer as well, hugging them both.

"We'll be back soon, In Shaa Allah (if God wills it). Don't worry," he whispered.

Dina came back, smiling at the scene before her. "What no hugs for the woman who gave you birth?" she lightly joked.

The kids erupted in laughter as they ran into their mother's awaiting arms, clinging to her like the day they were born. Nicholas was at a complete awe, lost in the affectionate gaze of his wife and the bright, wide smiles across all their lips, the bitter taste of sadness a lingering salt in the brisk air, the emotion fleeting away from the love that engulfed them.

Standing back on his feet, he pressed the doorbell, and within an instant Humaid was at the door, a wide grin on his face. The years had been well for the unmarried doctor. He kept his hair perfectly styled in a swept back fashion, the occasional inky strand a stray across his forehead with eyes the same mischievous shade of brown from their college days. He kept a small stubble on his chin and the budding black of facial hair on his jawline, neat and properly trimmed.

Makes sense for a doctor, he thought.

Humaid pushed Nicholas to the side, running up to his niece and nephew. "Ah, it's my favorite pair of minions!" he cheered, grabbing them from their mother. Dina pursued her lips at her older brother, glaring at him, but Humaid was far too distracted to care. He peppered small kisses on Naira's cheeks as he picked her up. "You get more adorable every day, little one."

Naira narrowed her eyes at her uncle. "I'm not little!" she whined, pushing his face. "And you're messing up my glasses, Uncle Humaid."

He put her down, chuckling. "Man, you're just like your mom when she was your age."

His eyes caught a glimpse of Daris quietly walking to stand behind Nicholas, and immediately Humaid was after him. Daris's eyes widened as he jumped, wincing as he saw his uncle approach him, knowing far too well how suffocating Humaid got. He sent one last look of desperation to Nicholas.

"You're on your own here, son," said Nicholas as he ruffled his hair, walking down the steps to  be next to his wife. "Assalamualaikum, kids! Be nice for your uncle!"

Dina blew an air kiss at them. "Make sure they keep up with their studies, Humaid," she warned him. "Because I swear-"

Humaid waved her off, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, I know. Or else I'm dead and a bunch of other garbage like that," he repeated in bored tone. His eyes brightened as he grabbed his escaping nephew. "Now, go away, I have kids to entertain."