chapter thirty four

Uncle Haroon's POV

I still can't believe all the things she said. I don't want to believe her but she sounded so real.

"I don't know how to tell you this but i have to. My dad just called me yesterday to his room and told me the most shocking news of my life" she said with sadness laced in her innocent voice.

"And that is?" I asked in eagerness.

"He.... My dad is marrying me off to someone. So he found me a husband that seemed 'perfect' to him and we are automatically getting married very soon."

"Ok" I said not knowing what to say

"I'm so sorry"

"No problem"

"What are you going to do now?" She asked

"I will accept it as my fate"

"Awwwn you're a good Muslim and a cute one"

She said and I chuckled

"I have to go now. I'm sorry"

"Toh bye"

I shut my eyes tight as I kept remembering our last conversation over the phone.

"My dad is marrying me off to someone"

"....marrying me off to someone" "....marrying me off to someone"

"....marrying me off to someone"

"Dammit!"I yelled and stood up as the word kept singing inside my head making a bile to creep up in my throat.

I walked to the bathroom and emptied my stomach for the fifth time. This hell of breakup thing is taking a huge troll on me.

I washed my face and came out. I took my phone and saw 63 missed calls. Its obviously fifty from Khair. " This girl can't be serious". I muttered under my breath. I remembered her calling me twice but I didn't pick up. I put my phone in silent mode so that no one could disturb me.

Mummy Laila also called me thirteen times. "What could be so urgent?" I asked myself as I walked out of the room.

"Hey man!" Mustapha greeted standing up from the chair in his parlour. "Hey" I said in a small voice that I didn't intended to because I suddenly sounded like a four year old girl.

"Where are you going?" He asked walking towards me. "To Mummy Laila's house. She called me thirteen times and I have to go and check out why the hell she called me like that" I said and Mustapha mused for a moment.

"Ok. I hope it won't be something terrible" he said and I muttered a small 'I hope so'. I drove out of their house and headed to Mummy Laila's house.

Yesterday when she told me about her dad getting her married, I couldn't get my head straight so I decided to drive to the only house I think I would have a bit of peace,and that's Mustapha's house.

Different random thoughts swam in my mind and head but I tried to focus on the road. My train of wild thoughts stopped as soon my phone rang and the least expected person was the caller.My heart started beating rapidly for no reason as I saw 'Habibty' on the screen.

Why on earth is she calling me?

I found a perfect spot by the side of the road to park my car. I can't talk to her while driving cos she might tell me a very unexpected thing and I won't be able to control the steering wheel again.

I picked the call with shaky hands and released a laboured breath as I placed the phone to my ear.

Damn,she has such an effective effect on me.

"Salam Alaikum. Hi sweetheart"

Sweetheart?! I thought she has a fiancé now.

"Huh...wa Alaikum salam. Hi?" I said unsure of what to say at that moment. "Pls let's do video call now if you aren't busy" she pleaded and a replied with an 'okay'.

I video called her and her beautiful face appeared on the screen with that breathtaking smile that melted my heart instantly. She waved at me and I waved back like a damaged robot

"Ok how am I going to put this?" She asked herself suppressing a laughter.

Okaaayyyy!!!

"Just tell me anyhow" I said fully concentrating now.

"Ok so you see,I told you about my dad getting me married right?...." She was cut off with my glare.

"Stop looking at me like that." She pouted

"Go straight to the damn point" I said almost getting annoyed.

"It was a prank" she blurted out covering her mouth to stop her laughter.

What did I just heard?

"You say?" I asked to confirm what she was saying.

"Wallahi It was a prank sweetheart. But I didn't bring the idea myself, my friend Maryam did" she said and my jaw hit the floor,hard.

"Whaaaatt??!" I yelled with wide eyes as I digested the nonsense she just said.

"Are you kidding me?" I added

"Yep,I was kidding you before but now I'm not kidding"she managed to say while on full laughing mode.

I stared at her laughing for good five minutes before my lips slowly started twitching into a smile that I tried hard not to make it visible but I failed cos her laughter was cutely contagious.

"I'm sorry sweetheartbut I love the look on your face when I told you it was a prank. You were like....." She said imitating the look of shock on my face.

I joined her in her small laughing session and my mind was now at ease. We talked about few things for few minutes and finally hung up.

The grin on my face was unable to wipe away since when I got off the phone with her. I honked at the gate of Mummy Laila's house and the gateman quickly opened the gate for me.

"Uncle Haroon good afternoon" Laila said in her babyish voice and ran towards me. "My babyyy how are you?" I said and scooped her up. "I'm fine. Let's go and buy chocolates. Mummy won't give chocolates and I want chocolates." She said with her lips trembling and she suddenly started crying.

Good Lord!

"Shhh,stop crying. I will take you and buy it after I talk to your mummy alright?" I said trying to stop her tears.

"Pinky promise?" She said holding her pinky finger up. "Pinky promise" I assured connecting my pinky finger with hers and she immediately started giggling.

I entered inside with her and saw her mum on the couch facing the TV. I salamed and she turn her face to me that showed no mercy. She reduced the volume and stood up to her room. I followed her in with Laila still in my arms.

"Welcome" she coldly said giving me a deathly glare. "Uhm.....why are you giving me that look?" I asked as she suddenly started looking creepy. She went inside her toilet and bought out a black nylon. She sat on her bed facing me.

"What is wrong with you Ya Haroon? Yesterday you were acting all weird and creepy. You were out of your senses yesterday. Khair ran to your car when you ran past her and she fall down cos she didn't expect that rubbish. She got injured and was bleeding badly. See,in case you don't believe me" she said loosening the nylon and bought out cotton wools with blood stains on them.

"This is Khair's blood that was stained on the cotton wools as a result of the injury you caused her" she added shoving the wool in my face and I backed away.

Sometimes,you wouldn't even know she's my little sister if she starts her bossy behavior.

"You gotta apologize and make it up to her cos she's hurt". She said with finality and everything started sinking in. I was so engrossed in the bad news yesterday and I didn't know I hurt my best sister from different parents.

Damn me!

"Subhanallah. I got to go visit her. I'm such a fool not to notice that". I mumbled to myself as I felt all guilty. I dropped Laila from my arm and stood up. " I'm going to Khair's house now"I said looking everywhere but her. "You better" she replied through gritted teeth. I said my goodbye and walked to the door.

"Uncle Haroon, where are you going to? You said you will buy chocolates for me after you talk to mummy". Laila pouted. " I know. If I'm coming back,I will buy it for you". I tried to convince her but she's not giving in.

"I will go with you." She started crying and I have no other option than to take her with me. "Bye mummy" the little girl said happily waving at her mum who is giving me cold glares.

We arrived at Khair's house and I headed straight to her room. She was reading her Qur'an silently and didn't bother to look at who opened her door. I waited patiently for her to finish. She did and raised her hand to pray to Allah. She was praying silently and I kept saying 'Amin' even though I don't hear whatever she was saying.

She finished and folded her prayer mat neatly on her bed and walked towards the door totally ignoring us. "Uncle Haroon, who is that?" Laila asked and that's when Khair turn to us,Laila specifically.

"Oh my God Lailaaaa,you're so cute". Khair gushed speed walking to the girl. She wanted to carry her but Laila started crying a little. "She doesn't know who I am." Khair's face saddened. "If you have any chocolates, then she's all yours". I told Khair the solution and her eyes lit up. " Laila,let's go to the kitchen and give you chocolates". She said in hope. "Yaaay" Laila happily shouted and ran to her.

They both went out and I followed them chuckling a little at the silent treatment Khair is giving me. "Excuse me ma'am". I said to her as I sat on the kitchen stool. "What?" She sneered. "I'm sorry about yesterday. Mummy Laila just told me about what I did to you but it wasn't my fault,it was because...." And I told her everything except my habibty's name of course.

"I'm so so super sorry and I will make it up to you. Just tell me anything you want and I your wish will be granted" I concluded and she smiled. "Hmm,so its your habibty that made you all devastated, broken, crazy,strong headed and stubborn all in the name of a prank. Anyway,I want to know her name pleeeaasshh" she pouted like a child. "Uhm....nop. Not this kind of wish but I will surely tell you some other time. Right now,get ready,I'm taking you out". I said and she squealed.

She handed me Laila and the chocolate she's digging in and flee out of the kitchen. I went out and greeted her parent when she came out of her room dressed simple but fine skirt and blouse with her veil draped on her head. She informed her parent about our outing and they gave her the permission.

I was already driving to the place I intended in my mind when I realised I left my wallet at Mustapha's house.

Darn!

I made a turn to their house annoyed at myself. "This is the place you're taking me to?" She asked brow raised. "No. I forgot my wallet here so I'm retrieving it back and we can go to our outing?" I said and opening the gate entering inside with Khair trailing behind me. We entered the palour and saw Mustapha's younger brother also coming out.

"Ibrahim?!" Khair whispered yelled with widened eyes.

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