السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Sidfa this one's for you. I hope your emotional blackmails will come to a rest after this. We've missed Zaina action in the last few chapters. I hope you enjoy all the Zaina moments in this one ^_^
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#39 The Day of Annoying Encounters
'Be chill Junaina. You can do this. I know you acted like a wild banshee two days back and you cringe when you think about how unglamorous you must have looked like. But it's okay. Don't let yesterday's trashy act of your's take up too much of your classy today. You're going back to school. You're going to strut in like you own the place. And you're not going to give a damn about all the judgemental reactions-'
'When will this pep talk end? Mamu is not going to wait forever for you downstairs!' Di interrupted my well rehearsed speech.
We were in my dressing room. She had come in when I started motivating myself. Or, my equally wonderful reflection. It was back to school time. And I needed a lot of positive vibes.
Crossing my arms I glared at her reflection leaning against the entrance to the dressing room. Di was clad in a black flowy abaya and matching hijab. She tapped her foot impatiently, glaring at me in the mirror. I cocked my head to the side and stared right back at her. Sighing, she loosened up.
I smirked at her.
Picking my brush up I ran it down the end of my perfect fishtail braid. Then I straightened up and examined my impeccable uniform. Satisfied with my appearance, I turned around to face Di.
'Battle preps over? Or did you forget to add anything more to your armor?' Di asked grumpily.
Giving her a blinding white smile I said, 'I don't wear armor Di. My smile and glares are more than enough. Haven't you heard, I have killer looks.'
Putting a palm on her face, she groaned. I giggled as I locked my arm in hers and dragged her with me. That's what she should have done. On the way out I swung my bag over my shoulder and then marched down with Ayesha Di in tow.
'I almost feel like you've reverted back to the Juni that came to us months back,' Di grumbled.
'That offends me Di,' I said solemnly with my hand on my heart.
'Ya Allah!'
I was still laughing by the time we reached downstairs. Chachu was waiting for us in the entrance hall with the rest of the family except Samar. He left for school while I was still having breakfast. If not for his prestigious image, he would have gone to school with me it seems.
'She's already acting crazy,' Bhai remarked with a grin.
'I swear, this girl and her drama!' Di huffed. She was smiling though.
'Jelly babies,' I retorted shaking my head. Di flicked my head making me lose the look of disdain I had worn.
'Junaina, I know you'll be on your best behavior. Be cool and don't let gossip get to you. Understand?'
'Yes Dadi. I won't disappoint,' I promised and said salam to her and the rest of the family.
Bhai was accompanying me to school as well. He got into the passenger seat with Chachu as Di and I settled in the back. Chachu eased the car out into the driveway and soon we were on the road to he- sorry, school.
'Abbu at the speed you're driving, Juni will be late to class, Laila Aunty will be waiting for Ayesha at the office and we will miss our meeting with the Patels,' Bhai commented after a while.
'Ungrateful son of mine. You're perfectly capable of driving and yet you sit comfortably as your father drives. And now you're passing comments, badtameez boy!' Chachu retorted shaking his head.
I couldn't help but snicker at Bhai, Di hit my hand trying to restrain me. But I didn't stop. Bhai turned around to glare at me and I pretended to enjoy the scenery.
'Abbu don't destroy your son's dignity in front of girls.'
'You're talking of my girls as though they don't live in Ashiana,' Chachu quipped and I lost my composure and giggled away. Bhai turned his face to the window and grumbled under his breath.
As the turn to Marwa drew near, my anxiety started making a comeback. Playing with the strap of my bag, I reminded myself to be confident.
The student hierarchy in Marwa worked kind of differently than the one back in my school in Dubai. It's taken me all of these last few months to get used to it. Back in Dubai, we had the popular crowd, their little minions, the sport and art groups, the nobodies, the somebodies, the invisible people; a typical high-school system.
Here, just like the residents almost everybody knew everybody. A lot of people were relatives. Some were neighbors like the Hashims and us Ali kids. And so on and so forth. There were some students whom everybody knew. Zaid, Samar, Azza and Azhar belonged to this category. And very few who were unknown.
Popularity in Marwa worked in two ways. Either you were known for being associated with Samar and his group or Azhar and his cronies. The former had a good reputation both with students and teachers while the latter was the opposite.
And then you could be like me.
Initially I was noticed for being Samar's cousin. Then I came to have a reputation of my own. I was unlike the girls at Marwa. Neither did I dance around to gain the attention of boys, nor was I the polar opposite. I stood up to Azhar more than once. And I finally beat him up and got suspended.
Ever since Azhar pulled the whatsapp group number on me, I've been checking out all the online activities of the Marwa students. And for the last two days no three people were discussed more than Azhar, Zaid and me. Samar and Najwa ranked a tad bit below us. I've always relished popularity and attention, for once I wanted to be invisible though.
As bhai predicted we were late. Chachu parked the car and got out. As did bhai and Di. I remained seated, reluctance creeping into my veins at the thought of facing my classmates, teachers and all the other students. Bhai opened the door for me.
'Get out Juni. We haven't got all day. Mr Patel is an irritable client and today his son who is even more annoying is tagging along for the meeting. I don't want to give them the pleasure of nagging us for being late,' he ranted, tapping on the window rapidly.
'Shoaib!' Both Di and Chachu chided at once. But bhai's little rant did the trick. I got out of the car and shut the door with force.
'You're right. The faster we deal with this, the less irritable it will be,' I said and strutted to the main building with all three of them in tow.
We got to Principal Hakim's office. Di and Bhai waited outside while I went in with Chachu.
'Assalamualaikum Principal sahab,' Chachu greeted warmly, extending his hand out to sir.
'Wa alaikumasalaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu Mr. Dawud. Please sit down. You too Junaina,' Sir responded with equal enthusiasm.
His smile put me at ease and I took the seat he offered readily. Chachu exchanged pleasantries with him and then Principal Hakim addressed me.
'So Junaina, did you enjoy your suspension? ' He asked with a gleam in his eyes.
'Quite,' I remarked with a grin. Sir's smile widened at my response.
'I don't want to suspend you again. So stay away from trouble, is that clear young lady?'
'Crystal. May I go to my class now? I have a homework to hand in to Rahma ma'am.'
Scratching his salt and pepper beard, Sir scrutinized me for a bit. I held his gaze unblinking till he averted his gaze with a smile. 'You may go.'
'Thank you Sir. Salaam Chachu.' Nodding to both the men, I left the cabin.
Di hugged me and wished me luck as Bhai rolled his eyes and said, 'So much drama over an ickle suspension.' I slapped his arm with a book in response.
'It has not cured you of your violence I see,' he smirked rubbing his arm.
I tossed my head up and walked away in the direction of the stairs. Checking my watch, I started jogging up the steps two at a time. There was barely fifteen minutes left in the first period. Rahma ma'am is not going to be happy.
On reaching the first floor I bent and held my knees as I tried to even my breathing. When I was not huffing and puffing like a dying old lady I ambled to my class and stood at the door. Nobody noticed me. Yet.
Rahma ma'am was dictating notes. At that moment I was glad that she did so at the speed of light. Nobody had time to look up from their books and ruin my entrance.
'Excuse me ma'am,' I called out. All at once the entire class snapped their heads to the door. Rahma ma'am was annoyed.
'May I come in?' I asked once I had her full attention. Expecting her to break out in a speech laced with sarcasm, I was surprised when she merely nodded. Where did the sun rise this morning?
'Please take your seat quickly and stop wasting everybody's time!' She barked as I walked in.
Ah! There it was. Still not up to my expectations, but she did scold me for no reason. A day at Marwa can't be normal without Rahma Ma'am's spite.
She resumed her dictation and my classmates were given no time to stare at me like I had dropped out of a spaceship. Lia gave me a bright smile before Rahma ma'am could notice. Whatever notes she gave after that I copied into my rough book.
In the last five minutes of class she started collecting the homework she had assigned. When I submitted my book she peered at me for a bit. That I couldn't perceive her thoughts unnerved me. Is she disappointed or pleased?
'I thought you'd slack off like most people who get suspensions. But then you do study,' she finally spoke and I didn't know whether it was a compliment or an insult hidden in a compliment.
'She really is something,' I told Lia and Haseeb as the bell rang and Rahma ma'am left.
'I wonder why she is always so cranky?' Haseeb thought out loud, rubbing his chin.
'I think she'd be alot more happier if she dressed better. That brown looks awful on her,' Lia said cringing. She did have a point. Rahma ma'am had an ugly taste in clothes. I would be unhappy if I had to leave my home dressed like her.
We didn't have much time to chat as in walked Sreejith Sir. He spotted me as soon as the class settled down.
'Your absence decreased the collective IQ of this class. Welcome back Ms. Junaina. Class let's get to the next set of quadratic equations!'
I smiled at his warm welcome. Sometimes being a smart kid did have perks.
Azza rolled her eyes and Wafa scoffed at me. They have been giving me all sorts of looks of disdain and scorn from the moment I entered class. I was sure I'd be in for some special comments later on. Heeding Dadi's advice, I pretended not to notice them.
Sreejith Sir called me outside class before he left. 'I'm so glad you gave Azhar what all of us couldn't. I assure you many at the staff room are fully supportive of you,' he said with a twinkle in his eyes.
'Sreejith Sir, if I see you spoiling my students again I might take a leaf out of Juni's book and teach you a lesson!' Saira ma'am threatened. It was her class next and she had caught the tail end of Sir's comment.
'My days of learning are over ma'am. Go terrorize your beloved students,' Sir called out chuckling as he strolled away.
I couldn't help but laugh. Saira ma'am glared at me and I managed to stifle my laughter. 'Go on, get in now. I've wasted five minutes of my precious time.' Ma'am shooed me inside. I happened to see the slight upward tilt of her lips.
So far it has been smooth sailing for me. My teachers didn't give me a hard time and my peers weren't free enough to grill and roast me yet. The first break was coming up though and my spirits were slowly taking a downturn. When the bell finally rang and Saira ma'am left class, I braced myself for the onslaught of teenage curiosity.
Most of the girls in my class came and talked to me pleasantly. Many were glad Azhar got what he deserved. Some of them showed incredulity at my guts. There was a group of them around me and then Azza decided to butt in.
'I don't know why you girls are fawning over her. She's so violent!' She said with a grimace to no one in particular.
'Yeah I mean, the way she hit Azhar that day … it's like she isn't a girl,' Wafa the loyal tail added to Azza's tirade.
Lia glanced at me. A lot of the other girls kept looking back and forth between me and Azza. Lia slowly slipped her hand on my arm and shook her head. I swept an eye at Azza and Wafa and beamed at them. Wafa was puzzled while Azza glared at me. Rolling my eyes I dragged Lia out with me to meet Najwa and Shikha.
'God, for a moment there I thought you might combust!' Lia breathed out as we approached Najwa and Shikha. They were leaning against the railing by their class.
'Oh please. Azza can't rile me up with her petty comments,' I scoffed.
Shikha actually smiled at me when she spotted us. She prodded Najwa to gain her attention as the latter was busy gazing at the students milling about in the ground. Najwa's green eyes lit up with a smile as I said my hello.
'I'm so glad you're back!' She gushed.
'You know there's been peace in this corridor ever since Azhar has been suspended,' Shikha remarked.
'Yeah, none of his cronies come up here anymore.' Najwa agreed with a nod.
'Anything to be of service,' I said with a mock curtsy making the girls laugh. I grinned as I straightened up.
As we conversed from the hallway, students from most grades passed us. I didn't miss the looks of awe, fear, disdain and contempt that I got. That I was a subject of discussion I could tell as their eyes always betrayed them. When they neared me, most would shut up. Some passed scathing comments like Azza and a few even smiled at me. Those who have been teased and taunted and annoyed by Azhar and his ilk were even expressing gratitude.
'What are my favorite girls up to? ' Haseeb asked. He had just come up the staircase with Samar and Zaid. I was hoping the two of them would go upstairs to their class as the bell would ring in two minutes.
But Samar sauntered over with Haseeb and Zaid followed. Couldn't he go up to his classroom without Samar?
'You know taking autographs from the star of Marwa,' Shikha quipped in a nonchalant manner. Haseeb stared at me crossing his arms. I shrugged in response.
'Where do you want me to sign?' Samar questioned with an air of grandeur. Najwa and Lia giggled. I covered my mouth as I smirked and waited for Shikha to humiliate Samar. Haseeb slapped his forehead and sighed. Even Zaid seemed to be holding back a smile.
'It's funny that you think I'm talking about you,' Shikha remarked with a smile.
Samar's face soured up. 'Juju is not a star. She's a violent girl to be feared. That's what everyone is saying,' he grumbled, stuffing his hand into his pockets and looking away.
Haseeb and Zaid shared glances as they turned away with smiles on their faces. Haseeb pretended to cough and then focused back into the conversation.
'I didn't realize you were fooled by Azza's propaganda. Such a shame.' Shikha commented shaking her head of short and dense curls. I bit my lips trying to stifle my laughter. Lia and Najwa walked away as they couldn't hold it in anymore.
Samar was flustered. He rocked on the balls of his feet as he tried to come up with a response.
'Don't work those brain cells too hard bro. We've got Accountancy next class,' Zaid teased with a full blown smile.
Averting my gaze, I refused to let my amusement show up. He could go die for all I cared. Haseeb noticed my standoffish behavior and raised his brows in question. I smiled it off.
'What's going on between you two?' Samar probed squinting his eyes at Haseeb and me. Haseeb sighed and I rolled my eyes at Samar. Zaid looked at the two of us. He was curious.
'Can we not have a conversation without something going on between us?' I shot at him sharply.
'No… It just seemed off,' he said, staring at me intently.
'Your radar is damaged. Get going with your tail.' I dismissed him and by extension Zaid. The latter should have stuck to his I-avoid-Junaina's-existence attitude. He looked up at me and I pretended to stare down at the ground.
'Now that's plain rude.'
'Just go already. You've extended your welcome long enough.' Shikha came to my rescue.
'Sometimes I wonder if you guys forget that we are your seniors and can do as we please,' Samar boasted, head held high as though inviting a challenge. He was getting on my nerves with his intrusive behavior and everyone could see that.
'You're in for a beating Samar bro if you don't leave. She's looking ready to explode,' Haseeb said lightly. I glared at him. He raised his hands up in surrender.
Samar was about to probe some more when Zaid put a hand on his shoulder. 'Come on. Bell's about to ring anyway,' he said to Samar. His deep brown eyes were fixed on me though. I narrowed my eyes and he cast his eyes down and pulled Samar upstairs.
When the two of them were no longer visible, I let loose all my pent up tension. Shikha and Haseeb noticed me deflate.
'Care to explain what's up?' Haseeb voiced his earlier nonverbal query.
I crossed my arms and refused to meet their eyes. Staring at the distant ground pointedly I hoped he'd stop pestering me. What's with boys and not getting the message?
'First Samar and now you. Just go to class Haseeb,' Shikha said. He listened to her and went away mumbling under his breath about Ali kids and their drama.
'I heard you you idiot!' I called. He chuckled as he got into our class.
I saw Lia and Najwa walking towards us from the other end of the hallway.
'Thanks for the backup,' I remarked with a genuine smile.
'Tiff with Zaid huh?' She mused in response with a smirk.
'You don't want to know,' I sighed.
'You're right. I've had enough drama because of that guy,' she nodded, her eyes on her best friend who was getting closer to us.
'I know right.'
Lia and Najwa were mercifully not part of our altercation with the boys long enough to notice my discomfort. I've been putting off my thoughts about the fight Zaid and I had. It was easy enough to distract myself in Ashiana. But here at Marwa it was hard to avoid him.
'Those idiots finally left huh,' Najwa grinned.
'I was almost thinking of chasing them away with Ishaq Sir's cane.' Shikha deadpanned.
We didn't have much longer to chat as the bell rang. Najwa and Shikha said they'd come over with their tiffins during lunch. We parted ways and went back to our respective classes.
I mentally thanked Allah that Lia was not always as perceptive as Shikha and Haseeb were. There was more to that girl than her tomboy attitude. If not for our earlier issues I'm positive we'd have been good friends by now. I prefer her over Najwa for sure.
Najwa was nice, not going to lie about that. But I found her too good to match up to. She's the kind of girl who would please Dadi. Truth is, she gave me insecurities.
The rest of the school day was pretty much the same. By the end I was used to all the stares and reactions from the student population of Marwa. I was as cool as a cucumber by the end of the day.
Sidra was on leave as she was sick. And I only found out once I got in the bus and sat in our usual seat. Her place was taken by an eighth grader. The whole ride back home all I could think of was the fact that I would be third wheeling on the walk to Ashiana.
The idea of overtaking Samar and Zaid didn't appeal to me. The former was sure to goad me into opening up. Since no one else was present to mask all the tension between the latter and me, Samar would figure out where the problem lies with ease.
He's already warned me once. I didn't want him on my case again.
And so at the stop I took my own sweet time getting down the bus. Zaid and Samar had begun walking ahead by the time I bid salam to Baseera and started towards Ashiana.
Mission accomplished!
With a deep breath I walked at a slow pace. The mild weather was peaceful and the road was almost empty. Living in Ashiana often deprived me of the solitude I enjoyed in that walk home.
I didn't forsee everything though. My joy was short-lived as I spotted the figure standing by massive wrought iron gates of Ashiana. He was alone as he paced back and forth. At times he paused to stare in the direction I was approaching from.
He was waiting for me and all my instincts told me to hide in a bush or scale the high walls that enclosed Ashiana. I didn't want to talk to him.
As the distance between us lessened I ran out of ideas of getting in without him noticing. I willed him to turn around long enough for me to slip in. He was as always stubborn enough to go against my wishes. Soon enough he saw me and stood with his hands stuffed into his pockets.
Sighing I walked ahead. There was no escaping this.
Or there was. Why did I have to bother about him waiting there? I could just strut inside and not give him any attention. Nodding to myself, with renewed determination I charged right up the driveway. I reached the gates and looked ahead and walked all the way home.
That's what happened in my head.
In reality my traitorous heart took over.
'Junaina!' He called out with his hand stretched out and that was all it took for me to lose my resolve. I had hardly crossed the gates.
Walking backwards I stopped next to him and stared at the distant entryway to my home. The doors were wide open and welcoming. Maybe I should sprint?
'What?'
I hoped the hostility in my voice would drive him away. But he was one determined boy. Obviously he had parted ways with Samar and then came back here to talk.
I was glad to see the gardener in the grounds. He gave me a wave as he saw me. At least I won't be entirely alone with this annoyingly handsome idiot.
'Look... I just…' He started and then fell back and averted his gaze.
'Can you get it over with? People at home will notice my absence,' I stated, keeping my tone even.
'I'm sorry!' He blurted out drawing my full attention.
His dark brown eyes locked with mine for a bit before his gaze flitted down to his feet. His discomfort was evident as he kept fidgeting. He rubbed his nape as he spoke again.
'It's just, I don't know what came over me that day. I should not have shouted at you like that. Hell, I should have been careful in the first place,' he said pointing to the bandage on my left hand.
'What you did to Azhar, I still don't approve of it. But you were correct too. I had no right to judge your actions. I had no right to tell you off or make you feel guilty. And for that I'm really sorry.'
He still had his hand on his nape when he was finished. I have to admit I felt a tiny bit amused at just how uncomfortable he was. His apology churned within my mind, creating more chaos. A part of me wanted to forgive him at once while the evil Juni enjoyed his torment.
'It's okay. Don't stress yourself over it,' I gave in and turned away knowing if I stood a minute longer I'd be back to square one.
'Junaina wait!' He called out yet again. 'Ugh!' I huffed to myself before facing him again with a mask of composure.
'What now?'
He gulped as he took a step forward, hand back at the base of his neck. He was messing up his neatly parted hair as he struggled to speak once more. It was such a contrast to his easy manner around all my cousins and brothers, especially Samar. He was carefree and confident when he addressed Haseeb and his other friends. And with Iqra Di and Samar he was at another level of comfort.
'Samar can be an idiot sometimes,' he started. 'Always,' I countered and he smiled. That was a first in this encounter. It threw me off balance. Focusing on the way the Hari Kaka was cutting the hedge that lined the garden path, I clenched my hands tightly.
'He's also overprotective.'
'Tell me something I don't know.'
He sighed and threw his head back. Zaid stood that way for a moment and then once he was ready to speak he cleared his throat. Raising my eyebrows, I indicated him to continue and then examined the well worn driveway as if it were the most intriguing sight in the world.
'Earlier with Haseeb, he was being an idiot.' I was about to rebuke him for stating the obvious yet again when he raised his palm to stop me. 'Let me continue without interruption please.'
Sighing I raised my hand, gesturing him to continue.
'He jumps to conclusions pretty quickly but he was not insinuating anything between you and Haseeb. Since you were being adamant on not disclosing what made you put off, he acted up. And I know I'm the reason for the way you reacted.'
His last statement flipped my mood from tired to pissed. Pursing my lips, I glared at him for suggesting what he did. He didn't have time to pacify me as I snapped.
'Look, he has warned me to stay away from you and I have. You just apologized moments ago for assuming rights you don't have. And you can't just claim that you're the reason I was put off earlier. You don't know me. It could have been anything. Samar's probing made me angrier. Your assumptions are only fuelling more rage!'
With each word I had stalked up closer driving him backwards until he hit the gate. The sound drew the attention of Hari kaka. It snapped me out of my anger induced state.
'Everything okay beta?' He asked, peering at us over the bush he was grooming.
'All okay Kaka. No worries,' I reassured with a smile.
Whirling back to face Zaid who was an arms length from me, I stepped away. A blush heated my cheeks as I cringed in embarrassment. His eyes were widened in alarm and he was unable to do much more than gripping the gate to steady himself. He was wound up tight with tension and didn't relax until I was a good two feet away.
'I'm sorry about that,' I apologized, 'and thank you, for explaining however badly you did. I'm going to go now if you don't have anything more to say.' I remarked glancing back at Ashiana to see if anyone would come looking for me. I was a good ten minutes later than usual.
He appeared to have a lot more to clarify but he submitted to my statement. Peering at me for the last time he mumbled salaam and turned on his heel. I was bothered by the mixture of emotions in his eyes. He was annoyed, angry even and confused. Instead of letting all of it out like Samar would have done he just left.
My heart was split between the conversation as I pondered it. I berated myself for not having good control over my emotions and letting go of the chance to make peace. But I was also glad I put a stop to it. Samar was already on my case about Zaid. If he came out looking for me at someone's insistence, he would create a hullabaloo.
At times even Drama Queens can have a bit too much of drama.
Before going in I went and talked to Hari kaka. What he saw between Zaid and me could look suspicious to anyone. Frankly I was fed up of dealing with any more conflicts.
'Kaka, how are you doing? ' I asked, easing into conversation. He took the bait and elaborated about his wellbeing and that of his family.
'Are you okay beta?' He questioned with a knowing glance.
'I'm fine Alhamdulilah. Just a lot going on in life.'
'It happens to the best of us. I don't know what's up with you and Zaid beta, you can relax though. I won't tell anyone. I'm sure you weren't doing anything wrong.' He said with such a genuine smile that I almost hugged him happily. He ushered me to get in quickly and I did just that.
Thankfully most of my family were out and Dadi was resting. I was greeted by Annu who told me they had gone to the jewellers. Only Bhai, Dadi and Samar were home apart from me.
I told Annu to send my coffee upstairs. There's a lot that I need to process, but first this girl needs to rest. I had a killer headache coming on and it had everything to do with a certain someone who lived in the mansion next door.
***
How was the chapter?
I can't believe we've hit #39 already. It is so unreal. The next chapter will be up within April itself In sha Allah. My plan is to finish Noor this summer and then start a new story. Judging by the pace, I'm not sure if I'd be able to stick to that plan. There's still about 10+ chapters left, in sha Allah.
Stay tuned
Love,
Ann