"Ahsan, wait what are you saying? I honestly don't know what you are talking about? But why would he insult Aliya? I am sure you are misunderstanding!"
"If it was just for me then I would have believed it to be a misunderstanding but not with Aliya! Not with Aliya, Inaya. And why don't you ask Matt yourself on why he is creating the misunderstandings in the first place. This must not happen again! Bye!"
"Ahs-" She couldn't continue to speak because Ahsan didn't let her continue, he rung up straight after finishing what he had to say.
"Oh God what was this? Why on earth would he think of you--?" She stopped and then approached Matt with a questioning look on her face.
"Wait... Matt? Did he call on my phone the other day when I was busy in the kitchen?"
"Yes."
"And you lied to me that it was a wrong number!" Inaya was furious. "So that's why when I tried to contact him all this time since then he didn't respond because he was bloody angry on me for being so ignorant. I can't believe you did this!"
"Inaya let me..."
"No Matt no! Also, what did you say to him? Wait forget him, what did you say for Aliya?"
"I asked him to not contact you again because I thought you already moved on after so much difficulty. Then the other day you were speaking to Aliya and I thought maybe he made her contact you because of what I said to him so in haste I messaged him to stop Aliya as well. Look Inaya, I am sorry, I wasn't intending to create a mess. I..."
Interrupting him Inaya spoke: "I am unable to understand, why did you bring Aliya in all this? What has that poor girl done to you or our relationship even? Matt, I have been in contact with her since the day I came to Canada, this wasn't sudden. Ahsan is very sensitive about his family and the person you chose to hurt was his sister and I am not even surprised at his reaction knowing what you did. I am just so disappointed."
"Trust me Inaya, I didn't want all this mess. I just didn't want him to come back to your life when after constant battling you moved on from your past. Our relationship is new, it is steadily working out and I just didn't want an obstacle. Yes maybe I was quick to act so aggressive towards Ahsan and Aliya but trust me I meant no harm. I was just protecting you."
"Protecting me from?"
He was silent and was unresponsive simply because he had no answer.
"The truth is Matt, you were being protective and overly possessive. The truth is that you didn't want a man return to Your girlfriend's life who she loved and you were the only person who happened to know about it. It is your male ego and your overly protective personality that made you do this which I am not new to. I know this side of yours after all I have known you for 2 years now. The only difference in me and you is that you still don't completely understand me and I understand every bit of you!"
He was shocked to see how she turned down his explanation straight away because he realised that Inaya Qadir was best at understanding strangers let alone him who she has known for years.
"Maybe I was being protective..."
"Over protective!" She cut him down quickly with her eyes staring into his with discomfort and disappointment.
"I am sorry. I am honestly sorry. Try and understand my position too. You know my feelings for you have always been there. After two years of patience and after two years of my honest friendship, I got you. You recognised me and my feelings and gave me a chance. I became selfish, I am sorry. I just couldn't afford even a hint of losing you again. I just can't."
"But you are not the only one who decides whether you lose me or not Matt."
"Inaya?"
She had a strict and sharp expression on her face. She hid her tears because she couldn't believe that the only friend she made in this new place also betrayed her. Now even after two years, Canada was new to her and now that she experienced this, she felt as if she was a tourist, an unknown stranger to the place, nothing of this country is hers, it isn't home and it isn't providing her with the peace of home. The people, they are also strange to her. Those she trusted also became strangers and it didn't take long for all to collapse.
She was stood still while all these thoughts and feelings crossed her mind back an forth when Matt's voice hit her ears.
"Inaya, please talk to me. Please. I am sorry".
"I am sorry too Matt. But this can't continue. It really can't. No matter how much I try, I won't able to even consider this now. I think we should end it here."
"Inaya please! No!" He held her hand as she opened the main door for him so he could leave.
"Just leave me alone Matt."
Matt left without protesting further. Inaya ran up to her room and drowned her head in the pillow to cry out her heart.
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"Bhai, what's up? You have been upset all day. What's the matter?"
"Nothing. I am fine. I didn't sleep well last night so just feeling low".
He didn't want to tell her what he had dealt with, he was angry at Inaya but he didn't want Aliya to be disappointed at what happened because it would make their friendship suffer. He didn't want that. Deep down he knew Inaya wasn't at fault so despite his anger, he was considerate enough for Aliya to remain in contact with Inaya so both don't lose a friend in each other.
"I was thinking, it has been a while since I last made Pasta so shall I make some today? Pretty sure food is the only thing that will cheer you again." Aliya teased Ahsan with a smile.
"True that. But make sure it is cooked well or else I will take everyone out for dinner and you will be left with your pasta".
"Over my dead body."
Both shared a laughter and Aliya got up and walked towards the kitchen and left Ahsan who was in deep thoughts after sharing a tiny moment of joy with his dear sister.
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The Next day
"Hi."
"Hi."
Ahsan broke the painful silence between the two and spoke again: "Why did you call? Wait were you meant to call someone else and you by mistakenly called me?"
"I am sorry. I am really sorry." Her voice was heavy and her tone was weak, his heart ached hearing her frail voice.
"Inaya?"
She was struggling to speak but he could sense she trying to control her crying on the phone.
"Inaya are you crying?"
Still no response but the sound of crying only.
"Inaya, please stop crying and talk to me. What's wrong?"
"I am sorry Ahsan. I am so sorry." She said it again though trembled.
"First of all, stop crying. Secondly, you don't need to apologise for anything."
"No but..."
"Listen to me, and stop crying. You are so far that I can't even console you. So hearing you cry is paining my heart Inaya. Please stop crying."
"I want to come back right now. I don't want to stay here. I feel like the longing to see my family, the longing to be back and the longing to see you..." she paused and he shed a tear as he her say this.
"I want to come back home. I miss everyone. I feel like suddenly this place is haunting me. I feel so alone." She couldn't stop crying as she said this. Her heart was at ease speaking to Ahsan who always understood her. Speaking to him made her feel like a huge weight was lifted off her heart.
"I don't know about Canada but in London no airport will let you enter the country if you just cried. You got to come by an aeroplane my friend".
He heard her little chuckle and smiled thinking she is smiling.
"Now that you are smiling, I feel accomplished. Instead of wasting your precious tears, spend your precious dollars to buy a ticket back to London. Who's stopping you? Come right back!"
He understood her and he knew he successfully made her feel better. The tears were fading away and her eyes were beaming as she smiled thinking she wants to go back home, close to her beloveds.
"Yeah I will book the earliest flight and get back."
"Perfect!"
"Ahsan".
"What is it?"
"Don't tell anyone that I am coming back, I will surprise them. Only you know. Okay?"
"Why did you spoil the surprise for me young lady?"
"Because you are picking me from airport."
He smiled hearing her changed tone that became instructive. "Woah! You aren't even asking but throwing orders. Okay then!!"
"Kidding, of course I will come and get you. You have no idea how much I have waited for this."
They ended the call on a good note. Both were smiling and both were feeling the sense of relief and peace thinking they will see each other after this long. When Inaya left, they weren't on good terms but both didn't realise that the distance of geography and time only brought them close.
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An update sooner than usual. So let me know what you guys think! Waiting for your feedback!