Adulting

Chapter 14

Grandmother could suffer openly with Arylan far away from home. She took her vitamins watched her cooking shows and read the Quraan.

One morning while she was cleaning she collapsed in her kitchen, Uncle Tim arrived for his daily tea and found her lying unconsciously on the ground, grandmother was sent to the hospital. Tim reassuring her that there is hope for survival if she undergoes the surgery as soon as possible. Being a headstrong individual, she agreed reluctantly.

She only had one condition, that Arylan doesn’t find out about her current state.

***

Arylan packed her bags, grabbed her student card, and rushed over to class. Her roommate hadn't arrived since presentation day. After a boring day at school, she had lunch with Aiden as they caught up.

That was how the majority of the time was spent since arriving, a month later her roommate pitched up without notice… the empty bed was filled with stuff and the kitchen with new appliances. Layla arrived stopping at the door on seeing Arylan poke through her stuff.

“ haven’t you seen one before?” she asked walking towards her, “ it’s a blender.”

“ I know what a blender is, ” Arylan said stepping away from the stuff...

They spoke for a while introducing themselves to each other eventually becoming good friends.

Grandmother received her treatment secretly and was out of the hospital back on her feet with uncle Tim always urging her to go for her weekly checkup, and ensuring that she only received the best medical treatment.

“ did you find her?” Tim asked sitting down

“ they said she moved after being interviewed by Biel.”

“ Fool! We both knew that it was obvious that she was going to flee. Why didn’t you look for her?”

“ don’t you think I did?” Abdullah said standing up, “ it’s a dead-end tim, leave it now…and keep the money I didn’t get the job done, ” he said leaving.

Back to square one for Tim again.

Two years went by peacefully with the adults about to complete their courses. Grandmother managed to beat her cancer but for how long would her victory last. Tim still couldn’t find Arylans mother or sister and Abdullah remained the blacklisted seed of his family. Eric had a year left before he could start working at his father's business. Aiden finally made peace with his brother after the death of their guardian…

Arylan supported him through his difficult moments, as Aiden slowly picked himself up.

“ Eric posted a picture of his graduation, he'll be home next month.”

“ does it mean we'll be talking to the next owner of his father's fuel company?”

“you guessed it, either way, grandmother wants us home by then.”

“ no problem.”

They took a flight home arriving the next day during the early hours. Grandmother prepared a feast and informed them about the surprise dinner they planned for Eric. So after a quick rest, they were back to cleaning, decorating, and cooking for the entire day. Eric arrived that night and was bought over by uncle Tim. With everyone’s hands all over Eric for the first hours and then at least another ten with Aiden she spent half of the night alone or in the kitchen with the food.

She went out of the house after a while to get some fresh air, trying to process how much time has gone by…not much has changed.

“ since when have you enjoyed being alone?”

“ it’s not like I enjoy it, I just crave it.”

“interesting.”

“ what’s interesting is your hair being cut short, I remember you telling me that you’d rather run around the world naked than to shave off your blond curls.”

“ I’ll grow them back now that im back, back where I belong, so update me hows the progress with Aiden?”

“ what progress, we’re really close friends.”

“so you're telling me he still never confessed, ” Eric said laughing, “ coward.”

“ confess what.”

“ All you need to know is that he's crushing over you, like really bad, for such a long time.”

“ I doubt. Don’t cloud my mind with all your haraam thinking.”

“ Maaf misses holy, besides…that tomorrow I start working…how do you feel about me being more successful than you are.”

“ im proud of you, but last time I checked this isn't what you wanted...are you happy?” she said walking back into the crowd.

Was he happy? Was he happy with his new style, new haircut new surname, new identity…was that who he really wanted to be…or did he do it merely for the approval of his father.

The night went on and after three days the young adults returned back to university while Eric began his first day at work, over the years he hasn’t been able to find out what made him turn into another version of his father, a heartless sad human who’s lost connection with himself and his lord.

Arylan continued working hard in school, uncle Tim continued hunting for his prey, grandmother continued her show…and Aiden continued to stay silently beside Arylan.

After a year of settling in Eric finally reached new heights with his business and made it big in his market. Arylan returned back home for an internship as well as Aiden who’s involved in law.

“ don’t tell me that you actually plan on fully taking over that company,” Tim said moving the glass of water on the table.

“ just bring over the documents, nothing else concerns you.”

“what about Arylan…how do you think she'll feel if she finds out that you're doing this to her mother.”

“ business is business…besides she doesn’t remember them.”

“You're playing with fire.” Tim said dropping the glass, “ be careful of who you cross, it won’t end well.”

Tim left the office before heading over to Abdullah.

“ They investigating the case.”

“ which case?” Abdullah asks

“ The murder of Haxel…”

“There is no evidence.”

“ we'll see.”

No evidence, Tim spent years collecting any piece of evidence towards Abdullah as a way of watching him fall painfully.