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"Make sure you keep your phone close to you. I'm going to call you in the next few hours." Ummi instructed and pulled over in front of Farida's house.
"Alright, Ummi." I responded and alighted from the car. "Thank you." I shut the door and waited for Ummi to drive off before ringing the bell.
In a minute or so, the gatekeeper opened the door and allowed me in.
"Is Farida around?" I inquired after greeting him.
"Yes." He responded.
"Okay. Is..." I trailed off, unsure if I should ask about Jawaad. I really wanted to know if he was around, so I would know how to act when I bump into him. I didn't want to be startled. "Is her brother around?"
"Jawaad?"
Who else?
"Yes. Is he around as well?"
"No, he isn't. He doesn't live here, but he does visit frequently."
"Oh!" I acted as though I was oblivious to the fact. Farida had mentioned it to me one time. "How frequent? When last did he visit?"
The way his demeanor contorted in perplexity envisaged I might have crossed a boundary.
"He—"
"It's fine." I promptly cut him off. "You don't have to answer that. I will go inside now."
He nodded and sat back down on his chair.
In a slow pace, I walked towards the main door of the house. I couldn't help, but imagine opening the door and meeting Jawaad seated in the living room. How would I react?
I shook my head, spurning the thought. The gatekeeper didn't stutter when he said Jawaad wasn't around. I wonder why I kept on having weird imaginations even after that.
Carefully, I pushed open the door. The living room was quiet. No one was in sight. The plasma TV was on; Karate kid movie was playing—Imran's favorite movie.
I sat on the couch and got out my phone from my bag to call Farida and inform her of my presence.
"Helloooooooooo!" Farida squealed in the phone. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine. I'm in your house." I informed.
"Liar." She laughed. "You aren't in my house."
I rolled my eyes. "I'm serious, I'm right here in your house. I'm currently sitting in your living room."
"I don't believe you." She giggled. "How can you be in my living room when I'm currently there. I don't see you anywhere."
"I'm not kidding around, Farida." I sighed.
"Then come to my room. Why are you in the living room anyway?"
"Alright, I'm coming." I stood and made my way to her room.
Immediately I opened the door, Farida threw her arms around my neck and engulfed me in a tight hug.
She pulled back and stared at me in disbelief. "I actually thought you were joking when you said you're in my house. Why didn't you tell me before coming?" She hummed. "I would have had the maids prepare something delicious for you."
"It wasn't planned. Ummi took me my surprise." I blurted.
"Oh really?" She stared at me askance. "You wouldn't have even thought of visiting otherwise."
"No, no...that isn't it." I shook my head. "It's just that these past few days, I haven't been feeling too well. Ummi thinks it's boredom, so she initiated this."
"That's by the way." She grinned. "You're here—it's what is important. I'm so happy you're here. It's such a pleasant surprise."
I smiled. It was exactly like old times. Farida seemed genuinely happy by my visit. It gave me hope that we could actually revive what we once had.
"Come on in." She ushered me into her room.
I sat in her bed.
"I will just us some snacks." She said and excused herself before I could even respond.
As soon as she left, my eyes drifted to the handouts scattered on her bed. "Wow!" The remark flew out of my mouth of it's own accord. Just as I had always known her, Farida hadn't stopped being extremely serious when it comes to her studies, unlike me. To be honest, I hadn't really studied since I returned. I preferred reading other stuff—literary stuff to be precise.
Nice.
Farida walked back into the room with a plate of samosas and placed it on the bed, in front of me.
"Wow, samosas! Did you make these?"
"Noooo," she chuckled. "The maid did. It's specially made for Jawaad, because he—" she abruptly cut herself off and waited for my reaction. When she got none, she continued; "He will be coming over after he's done with work, so..."
"Oh!" I let out a plain remark. I inferred it would be classy on my side if I didn't indulge in the conversation. I wouldn't want to give her the impression that I still had a soft spot for her brother.
I took a bite of the snack and hummed in delight. "This is goooood."
"Really?" Asked Farida.
"Yeah." I responded. "Have a taste for yourself."
"Not bad." She remarked after she had taken a bite. "Hindu is a good cook."
"Why didn't you make these yourself." I sneered.
She laughed. "Why would I make it myself, when there are people employed for that?"
In as much as I didn't like the fact that Ummi refused to hire a maid for us...after Nafisa, a part of me was glad about that, because I understood why she had to do what she did. Because of what that decision of hers, I had learnt not to depend on other people and to do things for myself. "True."
"Lately, mum has been asking of you." Out of the blue, she stated.
For some inexplicable reason, nervousness surged over me. "Me?"
She laughed. "Why are you so tense?"
"I was just wondering why she's been asking of me." I voiced. I just hoped it wasn't about the misunderstanding we had.
"She likes you." She smiled. "A lot."
Huh?
"We were just talking about you this morning. She wanted me to even call you so she could speak to you on phone."
"Really?" I tittered. "I like her too. Hmm...why does she like me though?"
"I don't know." Farida shrugged. "Perhaps because she knows you're a nice person."
I smiled at the compliment. "Is she around? I should go and greet her."
"Yeah, she's in her room."
"Please accompany me."
"Sure."
As we walked to her mother's room, I let out a deep breath, restoring my confidence.
"Assalamualaikum." Farida knocked on her mother's door. "Mum? Are you in there?"
"Waalaykum Salam." Her mother responded from inside the room. "You can come in, Farida."
"Come on." Farida opened the door and walked in.
I followed right after.
Her mum was standing in front of her closet when we walked in. I had seen her a few times, but today, she looked different—a tad more beautiful than usual. Without a doubt, her children got their beauty from her, especially him...
"Assalamualaikum. Good evening, ma." I slightly bowed my head in respect.
Her lips curved into a wide smile. "Manal!"
The way she called me had me feeling shy.
"When did you arrive?" She turned to her daughter. "Why didn't you inform me she was coming?"
"I also didn't know." Farida shrugged. "I was also suprised when she showed up here."
"My dear, how are you doing?" Farida's mother approached and engulfed me in a warm, motherly hug.
A gasp escaped my mouth, but I was quick to cover it up with a cough.
She disentangled her arms from around me; the smile still glued to her face.
"I'm alright, ma, thank you." The fact that she liked me like Farida has said gladdened me. It was indeed a nice feeling.
"Drop the formality, will you? Call me 'mum' already."
Not aunt?
I looked at Farida, confused, then back at her mother. "Okay."
"Has Farida given you anything to eat?"
"Of course, mum." Farida beat me to respond to her mother's question.
"That wasn't for you." Her mother feigned seriousness.
"Yes, she has." I responded.
"That's good. Make sure you feel at home. Consider this your home."
I smiled, nervously. I may sound stupid even to myself, but I felt she was giving me the 'friendly mother-in-law vibes.' "Thank you."
"How's the holiday going?"
"It's fine, but sadly, it's almost over."
"A week more, yeah?"
"Yes. But I might leave in a few days."
"Farida also told me the same thing. I wish you both the best in your studies."
"Thanks, m—" thankfully, I was quick to cut myself off, before using the word she told me not to use.
"How are your parents doing?"
"They are both fine."
"Alright. When you get home, don't forget to extend my regards to them."
"I will."
"May Allah protect you always, my dear. May He protect you from evil doers and always guide you to the right path."
"Ameen."
"And may He give you an ideal husband."
The last prayer took me by surprise. I lowered my gaze in absolute shyness.
Farida's chuckle filled my ear. "We will go back to my room now." She said to her mother.
"Alright. Manal?" She suddenly called and I looked up at her. "Don't forget to inform me when you're set to leave, okay?"
"I won't."
•
"I told you." Farida started, when we walked out of the room. "Mum really likes you."
"I could see that." I admitted. "Your mum is super cool. I like her a lot too."
"That's settled then." Farida grinned.
"What's settled?" I tilted a brow.
"Nothing." She chuckled.
I wasn't convinced by her response, but I decided to let it slide.
•
After an hour or so, Ummi called to inform me she was on her way coming to pick me up.
"Alright, Ummi," I ended the call.
"She's coming to pick you up already?" Farida asked.
"Yeah."
"Hmm...I was hoping you'd stay for a while longer."
"Me too."
"Can't you tell her to go ahead? I will ask our driver to drop you off."
I laughed. "Ummi would never agree to that. You don't know her."
"Jawaad must be on his way here." She blurted.
"What?"
"He told mum he would drop by, so..."
Oh no!
Initially, I had wanted to stay longer, but Farida's reminder of Jawaad dropping by made me uptight. I couldn't wait for Ummi to arrive. "Imran told me to greet you for him." I smartly changed the topic.
"Oh really? How's he doing?"
"He's fine. Still as annoying as ever."
"I bet." Farida chuckled. "Your phone is ringing."
"Oh!" I quickly picked it up and brought it to my ear.
"I'm outside, Manal."
"Alright, Ummi, I'm coming." I ended the call and rose to my feet. "Ummi is here."
"Already?"
"Yeah." I responded, thankful that she was. At least, I would be able to avoid meeting Jawaad.
"Okay, let's go and tell mum you're leaving."
•
"She's sleeping." Farida informed.
"Alright, just tell her I've left when she wakes up."
Farida nodded.
"Ummi must already be getting impatient." I remarked. "I should leave."
"Right. Let's go, I will walk you out."
As we walked towards the exit of the house, I was happy that I wouldn't be seeing Jawaad, but the feeling was short-lived when the door opened and he walked in.
Abruptly, I stopped in my tracks.
And he did as well...
Unlike before, he didn't look away immediately our gazes met. He stood still.
I tried to comprehend the emotion in his eyes, but as usual, I failed.
Was it disgust?
Most definitely not!
•
Double update 🤸🤸
Chapter forty 💃💃
I'm back, sweethearts 🔥🔥
What's your take on this chapter?
Do you like Farida's mum? 🤓
Jawaad or Manal's pov?
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