'LYDIA! LYDIA...MY LOVE.' Mahdia startled everyone in the work station, they all looked at her wide-eyed. Mahdia ignored everyone, she could see only Lydia looking equally confused, her fingers dipping in the messy dough she had just began kneading.
Mahdia ran towards her with her arms open wide, Lydia doesn't get time to respond as Mahdia hugged her with so much force that they nearly fell, if Lydia hadn't held the counter tightly.
'I just kissed Ahyan.' Mahdia murmured into her ears, her arms around Lydia's neck.
'What?' Lydia separated their frames and looked at Mahdia, half amused half disbelieve. Mahdia blushed nodding her head.
'OMG! My butterfly is finally coming out from her cocoon.' Lydia hugged Mahdia again. Mahdia smiled and hugged her back.
Mahdia stood at the bookshelf and looked at her reflection on the glass. A shy smile on her lips as she touched her lips, the touch of his lips still lingering there. It was such a beautiful feeling. Mahdia felt light on her feet like she is floating.
After the rain had stopped the two walked out of the park hand in hand, and before departing Ahyan had stepped out from the cab took five minutes to kiss her goodbye. Mahdia felt special, she felt important with all his attention, the way he kissed her and loved her, she felt wanted, she felt loved.
So many feelings, Mahdia feared she might explode.
There is a knock at the door and Mahdia shook her head, 'Come in.' she said walking towards her table. Lydia entered.
'You wanted to talk?' she said. Mahdia nodded and gestured towards a chair. Lydia sat on the chair and Mahdia sat on the table.
Lydia listened carefully to everything that Mahdia narrated, she told her everything Ahyan told her and the plan.
'Well?' Mahdia clasped her palm and looked nervously at her friend, who looked to be in deep thought.
Lydia sighed and got up, she looked at Mahdia, she placed her palms on her shoulder and looked straight into her eyes.
'Mahdia, are you sure you want to do this?' Lydia asked confidently
'Of...course...' Mahdia stammered. Lydia raised her eyebrow a victory smirk on her lips.
'See...Babes, you sure you want to lie to your mom, his parents?' Lydia explained herself. Mahdia bit her lower lip, tears clogging her eyes. She was so happy moments ago, but her friend showed her the reality mirror and Snap, she is out of her bubble.
Mahdia felt a knife stab her heart as she shook her head.
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'Mahdia, beta? Are you all right?' Mrs Siddiqui asked her daughter when she noticed her lost at the dinner table, the family having their dinner. Mariam was oblivious as she ate her food.
Mahdia blinked her tears and forced a smile, 'Ma! I am fine.' Mahdia lied looking back into her plate. Mrs Siddiqui frowned knowing very well that her daughter is lying. But she didn't press her further. She looked at her daughter's sad face and felt bad.
Mariam was surprised as Mahdia snapped at her for misbehaving. Mariam was insisting her aunt tell her a turtle ninja story and only then she will sleep. For the first time, Mahdia had reacted this way. Mariam mumbled angrily and went to sleep. This time Mahdia didn't bother reading her, "taming the duke" novel either. She waited for Mariam to sleep. Once Mariam had slept she cautiously got down the bed, taking her phone, she tiptoed out of the room.
Mrs Siddiqui couldn't sleep, so she sat alone on a single leather sofa, her son's favourite. She sat in darkness except for the dim yellow light from the long night lamp under which she sat. Mrs Siddiqui's eyes are moist as she looked down at their family photo.
It's a very old picture, of the time when Mariam was just born, the day she had been brought from the hospital. They are in their ancestral home back in India.
Sadaf is sitting on the sofa, holding the baby Mariam wrapped up in a pink towel. Mizan is sitting beside her, his one arm around her shoulder and his other palm resting on his thigh. Mrs. Siddiqui is standing beside Mizan and a fourteen-year-old Mahdia beaming at the camera from behind her brother and sister-in-law. All four had a bright smile, a glint in their eyes as they posed happily for the camera, frozen in time. Mrs Siddiqui always feels mixed emotions when she sees this photo. She caressed Mizan's face over the frame and a lone tear escaped her eyes. Right now, she wishes nothing more than touching her son in person.
She is jolted when she heard a noise from the hallway. She is alarmed thinking a burglar has broken in. She stood up and quickly tied her night robe and tiptoed from the room.
'Mahdia?'
Mahdia froze on hearing her mother's voice. Shit! Mahdia had gone up to the terrace to speak with Ahyan, after a lot of crying and him scolding her for chickening out. He had asked her to never show him her face and cut the call on her. Mahdia had tried calling him again but he didn't pick up the call and then switched off his phone. Mahdia had sighed, she then had cried, cried and cried.
After she was done she decided to go back. It was freezing out and she felt very lonely in the dark.
She turned around and quickly wiped her tears, she could feel her mother coming from behind.
She took a deep breath and forced a smile.
'What are you doing?' Mrs Siddiqui sounded concerned. She placed her palm on her shoulder and Mahdia felt more tears rush to her eyes.
She turned around and pretended to look surprised, 'Ma! You haven't slept?' Mahdia said. Mrs Siddiqui switched on the corridor light, Mahdia squeezed her eyes tight as the light pricked her eyes. Mrs Siddiqui held her by her elbow and looked at her closely. She gasped on noticing her daughter's dishevelled look.
'Mahdia, what is wrong my Bacha? Please tell me.' Mrs Siddiqui had tears in her eyes now. Mahdia looked up at her mother, fresh tears brimming in her eyes. She leaned forward hugging her mother.
'Ma!' she sobbed.
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Oh No! Guys, what will happen now? What you all think? Do tell your opinion in the comments....