Chapter 59

Atifa's pov:

I rushed upstairs as soon as we got home. One of the reasons was the stickiness on my abaya. It was making me uncomfortable and I just wanted to wash it off. And even my hands had gotten sticky just because of him. The other reason was obviously him. I just didn't feel like facing him after that little moment of ours. I mean... I just mean that I was crazy for doing that and being childish in front of him. What was I even thinking?

And I also needed some time for myself. I didn't want to face anyone with my puffy face. Especially not ammi. I didn't even know how to face her anymore. Sighing, I took off my abaya and went to the washroom to soak it and wash my face.

Coming to think about it, I didn't even know how to face him too now. Maybe I should just stay in the washroom until I feel like I could face them? God! It was so awkward and embarrassing. Ya Allah help me, I thought. Why did I always manage to embarrass myself and make things harder for me?

Washing my face and calming my racing thoughts, I came out of the washroom. Thankfully, no one was in the room. Checking my face in the mirror of my dressing table, I lined my eyes with kohl and moisturised my chapped lips before grabbing a hijab and heading downstairs.

Now I was feeling guilty for not being the one to make food or help ammi out when I should be handling this work. At least I could have made the food before heading out. Now she did all the work alone. God! What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I just do something right for once? I always had to mess things up, right?

Frustrated with myself, I rushed to the kitchen only to find it empty. Where was ammi? And others? The voices coming from the living room answered one of my questions. But I still didn't know where Ammi was ammi. Sighing, I checked the time before setting up the table. Maybe she was praying.

I was lost in my thoughts, keeping the glasses on the table when I heard ammi's voice exclaiming in relief. "Oh you are back alhamdulillah. Where did you go?"

"Yeah. Sorry I went to the park without informing you." I apologised sheepishly.

"It's okay. I hope you enjoyed yourself." Smiling slightly at me, she headed towards the kitchen.

I was at a loss of words at her statement. Surely I couldn't lie or anything. Sighing, I decided to just stay quiet instead. "I'm going to call everyone for lunch." I called out before heading out to the living room.

"Okay." I heard her faint reply from behind.

"Come on everyone. Lunch is ready." I called out from the door of the living room, looking towards Amira and Alayna, avoiding his gaze. I could feel him looking at me, which made me uncomfortable. My gaze flickered in his direction and as expected, he was gazing at me with an amused look on his face.

My gaze travelled to his shirt, which was still smeared with ice-cream, making me laugh. I covered my mouth while turning my face away from him. He looked confused to say the least as he stood up, coming towards me. Amira and Alayna too giggled, following my gaze and looking at him before running out to the kitchen.

"You could have at least changed your shirt." I muttered, shaking my head and gesturing towards his shirt when he was a few feets away from me, at the same time taking a step back. "And stop right there! Don't you dare come near me. Go and change before coming for lunch." I added warningly when I saw him advancing towards me.

"Why?" He questioned, amusement clear in his voice.

"Because I just changed and I hate that stickiness." I replied while looking at him with narrowed eyes and folding my arms.

"And what if I don't listen to you?" He asked me, now just two feets away from me.

"Well then, do whatever you want and stay happy with your craziness." I mumbled while unfolding my hands and letting them fall by my side, frustrated at his stubbornness. I turned around to go when he held my hand, pulling me back a little, making me shriek in shock. "Ewww!"

I heard him chuckle as he came a bit closer. "Don't worry, I'm not touching you. Your 'dress' won't get sticky." I could feel amusement in his voice as he stressed the word dress. I dared not to turn around, afraid that I might get that ice-cream stickiness on myself or my dress. "But I need your help... Can you take out a t-shirt or something for me as I take this 'stickiness' off myself? Or do you prefer me going to eat like this only?" There was smugness and surety in his voice. Like he was sure I would do that. Huh! In his dreams!

"No, I'm not going to take anything out for you. Do it yourself. Do whatever you want!" I replied, trying to free my hand from his grasp.

"Okay, let's go and have lunch. I can change later, whenever you will be free to give me my shirt." He replied, leaving my hand and taking a step forward, making me squeal again as I quickly took a few steps ahead of him before turning around to look at him.

Glaring at him, I stomped my way upstairs to my room. From the corner of my eye, I could see him following me with a victorious look on his face as a smug smile stayed on his lips, never leaving his face. I felt like killing him with my own hands. What did he even want? Couldn't he just take his shirt himself?

Picking up his bag, I kept it on the bed angrily before rummaging through his clothes. "Ziddi khadoos." I muttered under my breath but he heard it anyways as he chuckled before going towards the washroom.

(Rude stubborn/grumpy stubborn.)

"Hand me over the t-shirt when I'm done." He told me while closing the door.

My expression was not less than that of pure astonishment and utter shock and annoyance. "I'm keeping it on the bed and if you want it then you can take it yourself." Gritting my teeth, I called out before taking out a random t-shirt and keeping it on the bed. I heard his chuckle from behind the closed door, making me more annoyed.

My gaze landed on a black hoodie and I could tell that it was comfortable even before touching it. Glancing back at the door, a mischievous idea came in my mind. Taking out the hoodie - which was so warm and soft that I felt like wearing it and just going to sleep - I hid it somewhere in my cupboard before heading downstairs, all the while, a mischievous smile played on my lips.

It was just one of the consequences of playing with me.

._._._.

"It's okay, I will do it." Ammi said without any emotion as she grabbed the bowl and headed towards the kitchen, making me confused. What was wrong with her suddenly? Why was she behaving like that? Was everything alright?

Before I could ponder more upon any of these questions, she returned. I quickly grabbed the plates before taking them in the kitchen. I could see ammi coming in from the corner of my eye. Gathering my courage, I turned to look at her and questioned, hoping she wouldn't ignore me. "What happened ammi? Is everything alright?"

"Huh? Yeah- yeah, I'm fine. It's nothing." She replied before hurrying out of the kitchen. Frowning, I followed her out, into the dining room. "Come on kids, go and take a nap. It's already getting late." She told them, this time a bit more composed. Her sharp gaze was enough for them to obey her command as they quickly stood up to wash their hands before heading upstairs.

He sat there, looking confused as ever as he stared at us. Questions seem to be swirling in his gaze as he kept looking at us, maybe searching for answers or any sign of them. When ammi didn't look in his direction, he stood up before heading to the kitchen.

Grabbing the remaining bowls, I followed him. "What happened to ammi?" He inquired as soon as I entered the kitchen. Confusion and worry was evident in his voice, which made my heart feel warm. I had never seen any guy other than abbu and mamu being this worried and concerned for ammi.

"I don't know. She isn't telling me." I replied quietly as I reached him, keeping the bowls aside, making sure my voice wasn't too loud for her to hear.

"Hmm, I hope she is alright." He muttered, his gaze flickering between me and the door of the kitchen, where ammi was - still outside - before he left.

"I hope so too." I murmured, although I was sure he didn't hear me. Sighing, I started washing the dishes, trying to get my mind off of these thoughts.

Once I was done with it, my cramps reminded me of their arrival and I headed outside, intending to go to my room when I noticed ammi sitting in the living room, lost in her thoughts. So lost that she didn't even seem to notice me entering the room and standing beside her. This side of her was scaring me. What even happened that she seemed so lost?

"Ammi." I called out, but surprisingly, I got no reply. "Ammi?" Confused and worried, I called out again, but the result was the same. No reply came from her side. "Ammi?" This time, keeping my hand on her shoulder, I called out softly, managing to bring her out of her thoughts. A sigh of relief escaped my lips. "Alhamdulillah." I muttered under my breath while looking at her, concerned.

"Haa? Kya hua?" She asked me, looking confused.

(Yeah? What happened?)

"Kuch nahi, aap yaha living room me kya kar rahi hai? Aapko sona nahi hai?" Letting my hands fall by my side, I tried my luck, hoping she would finally tell me something about what was bothering her.

(Nothing. What are you doing here, in the living room? Don't you want to take a nap?)

"Oh! Haa sona haina. Bas kuch soch rahi thi." She replied while getting up from the couch, glancing at me. "Chalo mai sone jaa rahi hu. Tum bhi jao jaake so jao." She added with a small smile, which seemed more like a forced one, before walking past me, heading upstairs, leaving me muddled up in my thoughts. A weird feeling crept up my spine and I knew something was going to happen. Something unexpected and definitely not too good. Hoping and praying for my instincts to turn out wrong, I too went upstairs.

(Oh! Yeah I have to sleep. Was just thinking about something.)

(Okay I'm going to sleep. You should go and sleep too.)

._._._.