Azaan's POV.
I got so worried and scared when I realized that we lost her.
My heart stopped beating for a moment and I thought I messed up again.
I contacted the other trainers that were a bit far away from us to make sure she didn't end up with them by accident.
I thought if something happened to her this time, i'll truly never forgive myself.
Just as I was about to call the institute for them to send security, I was told she arrived.
I ran out and saw her with Zayn.
What is he doing here? And why is he with her?
Was I worriying for no reason?
My stress and worry got replaced with anger and jealousy.
Is she even wearing his jacket?!
I can't believe this!
How can she do this to me knowing that I like her?
I told her face to face and she does that?
What am I supposed to do for her to understand my feelings?
If she keeps doing this to me , i'll have to marry her as soon as possible.
You better stop playing me Miss Asiyah!
***
Asiyah's POV.
The trip has been by far not so bad.
Of course, I was upset that I had to hurt myself and then not be able to keep going but I feel way better now and I'm enjoying this trip.
Being in the institute all the time is really boring mostly when you have nothing to do and you're alone.
Being surrounded with other people, being out and feeling the fresh air and nature is honestly amazing.
Tomorrow we will be going back using the same path. Nothing crazy happened other than having to wear the same clothes, not showering for the three days that we've been here and eating non-cooked food.
It's basically learning to live in the hoods without any water, no internet and other stuff that we used in our every day lives.
We've been doing activities all morning until 4pm and now we get to rest and do whatever we want for the rest of the day since it's our last day here.
I was talking with Zayn sitting around the fire for the past hour about random things when Azaan and Zorah came to sit with us.
"hope we're not disturbing" Zorah said.
"of course not" I said.
Since when is she always around Azaan...wait...why do I even care?
"what were you guys talking about?" Azaan asked.
"nothing important" Zayn said.
"Zayn bhai, I've never seen you around" Zorah told him.
"I'm an old trainer that's why, nice to meet you" he said.
I was lost in my thoughts when I realized that Azaan was staring at me.
I looked at him and he kept staring at me. Um..
"Azaan?" I called for his name but he wasn't saying anything.
"Azaan!" I called his name a bit louder.
"what?" he casually asked.
"are you.. looking at me?" I asked him.
"I don't know maybe" he said.
"stop it, it makes me uncomfortable" I said.
Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and dragged me with him.
We walked away from the others and went near the trees where it was darker.
"what are you doing?!" I said pulling my hand away.
"I have something to tell you" he said.
"ok? you could've said it over there" I said.
"no I couldn't so listen, tomorrow you're staying with me from the start to the end of the road AND you're sitting in the bus with me as well without any objections understood?" he said.
What is he even saying?
Why should I do that?
"I don't want to follow you everywhere, I'm not your pet" I said that and turned to go back to the fire but he pulled my hoodie cap and stopped me from going.
"it's an order" he said.
"stop!" I said moving away from him.
Ouch, my neck.
"I'm not your slave, how bout you just stay with Zorah huh? She seems to love your company" I said that immediately regretting it after.
Why did I had to say that?!
Shit!
I saw his expression changing and he got close to me.
"hey! Stay away" I said.
But he didn't listen and kept coming closer.
"it's the first time I hear you say something like that" he said.
"what do you mean?" I asked pretending I did not just say something dumb.
He brought his face close to mine his eyes deep into mine and smirked.
"just admit that you like me" he said.
"you wish" I said turning to leave.
"I see you blushing" he yelled.
I just ran away. This is so embarrassing!
***
The trip ended well. As Azaan told me the night before, I had to stay with him the whole time.
We walked back together, sat in the bus together during the whole ride.
Finally, when we arrived at the institute I could finally breathe and go back to my room.
I took a shower, got ready and decided to go see how Maryam is doing.
I got out of my room and then knocked beside.
She opened the door and she looked happy.
"Asiyah! You're back!" she said hugging me.
I hugged her back happy to see her.
I've been thinking about it while I was away and I think I should help Maryam.
She doesn't like Aryan and he wants to forcefully marry her.
I need to help my best friend as much as I can.
I don't want her to be sad and live in regret her for the rest of her life.
"you look so happy" I said pulling back.
"well obviously you're here!" she said.
We walked and were making our way to eat as it was already lunch time.
"we need to talk" we both said at the same time.
"you go first" I said.
"okay... actually I don't know how to explain it to you but.. I have to tell you because you're my best friend.."
"spill already" I said impatient.
"I'm... signing the nikah papers tomorrow" she said.
I couldn't believe my ears.
"What?!" I said.
"yes... It had to be done one day" she said.
"Maryam... you're okay with that?" I asked her.
This is going so fast. She's still so young.
"I don't have a choice" she said.
"what do you mean?! Yes you do have a choice!" I said getting angry.
I know were stuck here but that doesn't mean that we have to do everything they tell us to.
"I know but I think this is the best for me" she said.
Wait, what is she thinking?
"what are you talking about?! I thought you-" I stopped talking when something popped in my head.
This can't be. How can she let that happen?
I looked at her.
"you're in love" I said realization hitting me.
"I.. I can explain" she said.
"just admit it" I said stepping back.
"yes but-"
"that's enough" I said turning to leave.
I'm not mad because she fell in love with Aryan.
I'm mad because all this time I couldn't stop thinking about her safety, her life, her dreams and here she was falling for a man she doesn't even know that well.
What about her parents?
Whay do they think?
Do they agree to that?
I really thought she was never going to let it happen.
I guess I was wrong again.
I get into the dining room and went to get my food.
I want to yell in anger but I'll just eat as much as I can to calm myself down.
I sat down with my tray and started eating.
I didn't care about other people's stares or about how fast I was eating.
Azaan came and sat in front of me.
I don't care about him, he can keep staring at me. At this point, I don't care.
"what's wrong?" he asked me.
I didn't say anything, I just kept eating and kept my focus on the food.
"you're going to choke Asiyah, what happened?" he asked me again.
I stopped filling my mouth and got up to leave before I explode in his face.
As I was walking I got stopped by someone who grabbed my arm to stop me.
I turned and it was Azaan as expected.
" what's wrong? " he asked me again.
" it's none of your business" I said jerking his hand away.
"it is my business, you're my soon to be wife" he said.
I looked at him with anger boiling in me.
I hate man sometimes.
"I'm not your wife!" I yelled.
"yes you are!" he yelled back.
"stop!" I said.
"stop!" he imitated me.
"shut up!" I said.
"shut up!" he imitated me again.
I know I'm mad, but I kind of want to laugh now.
"I'm dumb!" I said.
"I'm dumb!" he said.
I burst out laughing.
He called himself dumb!
Because he is.
"you got fooled" I said sticking my tongue out at him.
For the first time, I saw him laughing.
He approached me and looked at me with a serious face after.
"tell me, what's wrong?" he asked.
"even if I tell you, it's not like you can do something about it" I said.
"I'll do anything for you" he said.
"you'll even give your life?" I asked just to see what he would say.
"you want me to?" he asked me.
"what?! No! It's a joke" I said my heart suddenly skipping a beat.
He smirked.
"it's just... Maryam is getting married" I said looking down at my feet.
"you wish you could be the one to get married first?" he asked.
"what?! No way!" I said rolling my eyes.
"I thought she wasn't going for it but she... likes him" I said.
"there's a lot of things you don't know that's why you're confused but the thing is you shouldn't be worried about these things" he said.
"she's my best friend! How can I not worry about her?" I said.
"it's okay to be worried about the people you love but Maryam is old enough to know and understand what she's doing and who knows maybe she was already in love with Aryan way before that" he said.
WHAT?!
She never told me she had a crush on someone or anything.
How could she possibly know him before?
Am I not considered a best friend to her?
Why would she not tell me?
I always tell her everything.
"but... how can she not tell me?" I said.
He poked my forehead.
"stop over thinking, it's not your fault" he said.
I guess he's right. I mean I know, it's just upsetting.
"take care" he said before leaving.
"see y-" I brought my hand to my mouth.
Was I just about to reply him back?!
Oh my god... what is happening to me?!
I placed my hand on my heart and it was beating fast again.
I can't be... I can't be liking him am I?!!!
***
It's been a week since I haven't spoken to Maryam and I plan on keeping it this way unless she decides to show up and say something for herself.
I don't care how selfish or bad I am, I am being played by everyone around me and I never thought that my BEST FRIEND would ever do that to me.
How many more lies are you hiding Maryam?
What else is left to say?
I have so many questions for her.
I want every answer but what Azaan said to me kind of brought some sense into me.
She's not a kid anymore and so am I.
It's about time we start being serious about some things.
If she needs to tell me something, she'll come to me.
I'm done worrying for no reason.
I was in my room playing candy crush when someone knocked on my door.
I got up and opened it and it was Azaan dressed in a black kurta.
What day is it today?
"why are you here?" I asked him.
"It's Maryam's nikah today and you're not even going to come?" he asked me.
Why should I? She didn't even invite me.
I thought it was last week though.
"I don't feel like going" I said.
"Asiyah it's not a joke" he said.
"I don't want to go and why are you forcing me as if I would listen to you like?"
"she's waiting for you" he added.
I got lost in my thoughts out of a sudden. Ugh why is this so hard?
"fine" I said.
"let's go" he said as I followed him.
We went downstairs and made it to the hall where the nikah is taking place.
There was a few people not too many.
There was Maryam's family, Maryam sitting beside Aryan and other members of family and friends.
I felt not invited because everyone was wearing cultural clothes and I was wearing a pair of jeans with a hoodie.
I stood not too close of the couple and crowd and just looked at her.
She looks... beautiful and happy.
At least she's happy.
Azaan kept standing beside me. Why is he always around me?
I moved a bit faw away from him, I don't want people to think we're together or something.
They gave each other a ring and then signed the papers following a dua.
Soon, it was done and they were officially and islamicly a married couple.
Mashallah, I wish them happiness and love. She didn't tell me anything and it's okay. She probably had her reasons and I can't force things to happen.
I just wish them good.
Everyone gathered around them to congratulate them and wish them a successful marriage.
I turned to leave when Azaan stopped me.
What now?
"what?" I asked.
"you're not going to congratulate her?" he asked me.
"why should I do everything you tell me to do huh?" I asked pissed off.
"I'm just saying " he said.
"you are forcing me!" I said.
"Asiyah beta?" I turned to face Maryam's mom.
Oh my Allah.
"Asalamualeykum aunty" I said as she hugged me.
"how are you doing?" she asked me.
"good, how about yourself?" I asked politely.
I've never been this polite in so long.
"are you okay my dear? you look worried and you've lost so much weight" she said touching my face.
"aunty, I'm all good don't worry about me" I want to ask her if she knew about Maryam and her husband but I'm not sure if it's appropriate.
"you've always been such a good friend to my daughter and I'm so grateful for that, I hope you didn't have a rough time here" she said.
Did she knew I was here?
What does she know?
"did you know that I was here?" I asked her.
"yes beta, didn't your mom tell you before sending you here?" she asked me.
No, I have no idea what she's talking about.
"no aunty, what are you talking about?" I asked.
"your mom and I both had a talk before sending you girls here, she told me you knew about this" she said.
"ammi knew about me coming here?" I asked.
"of course, she didn't tell you?"
This can't be possible. Ammi knew about this.
If ammi knows it means abbu knows as well because she never hides anything from him.
But WAIT!
"you said that Maryam knew about coming here?" I asked Aunty.
She nodded.
I can't believe this!
"Asiyah... calm down" Azaan said.
"okay beta I'll leave now, take care" Aunty said before leaving to send farewells to her daughter.
I turned to Azaan with my emotionless face.
"is that what you meant?... when you said that there might be things that I don't know about... Did you know?" I asked him hoping he wouldn't say yes.
"I.. I can explain-"
"enough, I've heard enough" I said almost breaking down.
I walked past him and ran back to my room.
I locked myself in my room and cried my heart out.
Everyone around me knew but no one dared tell me the truth.
From my family to my closest friend.
Everyone betrayed me.
***
Whyyyy??? 😭😭😭😭
Comment and vote!
I know there's a problem with my book and the chapters are all ruffled, I tried to fix the problem but it's not working 🥴 so make sure to check the table of contents before reading the next chapter!