Chapter-8

Unexpected

Sitting on the beach side, Aalia felt really relaxed and better.

"Really..you are way too positive and good." Aalia said, looking at Hassan.

"You are exaggerating. You don't know how colourful and positive you are." (Hassan)

"Yah... Yah... " Aalia rolled her eyes.

"So....You alright?" (Hassan)

"Um... Fine. I guess.... " (Aalia)

"Let's check whether your magic works on me or not. " Aalia stood and walked towards the car.

"Just wait and watch....I will bring a smile to your face. It's my promise."

Aalia turned to Hassan. He was walking behind her with a smile.

__________________________

(After 6 days)

Aalia was in a rush. She took her Hijab. In between she found Adnaan's gift on the side table. She took the bracelet he gifted her.

(Hijab is a shawl worn by Muslims)

'why did he gifted me this if he was going to ignore me? Aalia, stop getting affected by these. Be patient.' Aalia thought.

Aalia wore the bracelet and ran towards the kitchen.

"Aaliiiiii... Are you still here? I thought you left already. Hassan would be waiting for you." (Mom)

"I am leaving.....Bye.." (Aalia)

Aalia took the car keys. She started the engine. She was heading to her friend's café to buy donuts for Hassan.

Hassan was really helping her with her issues. He didn't even ask her once what it was. But his solutions were effective. They spend time together. He was knowing more about Aalia.

As the college was closed for the semester exams, for the juniors , Aalia was trying her level best to involve herself in some business so that she won't think about Adnaan.

She stopped in front of the café and ran to the counter.

"Can I get my parcel? " (Aalia)

"Yes." Iqra smiled at her and went inside to take her parcel. She came out with the box. Aalia paid for it.

They hugged each other.

"I am in a hurry. So I will call you. I have alot of things to share with you." (Aalia)

"It's OK. I will wait for your call." (Iqra)

Iqra was a new friend of Aalia whom she met last week. She is running a café. The way she talked was too angelic. They were in touch with each other as Aalia visited her café once in every two days.

A call interrupted her while walking out of the café .

"Hello.. " (Hassan)

"Yah...How can I help you?" (Aalia)

"Where are you? I have been waiting for you. " (Hassan)

"Oopsee... I am so sorry ...I am on my way...5 minutes..just 5.......okey..will see you...." (Aalia)

Aalia got in to the car and left the parking lot. Reaching Hassan's institution, Aalia went in.

He was waiting for her in his cabin.

"I am sorry..... " (Aalia)

Hassan looked up.

"It's alright...come..sit here." Hassan pointed towards the chair next to him.

Aalia sat near him.

"I bought these for you. " Aalia gave him the parcel.

"Why? " (Hassan)

"A Thanksgiving Gift?" (Aalia)

"Actually I wanted to buy you something. Hana told me once that you love donuts so...I bought it from my friend's café..that's it." (Aalia)

"Thanks." (Hassan)

"I wanted to talk to you about something." (Hassan)

"Tell me." Aalia straightened herself.

"It's like our institution is going to have an Annual music festival." (Hassan)

"That sounds great." (Aalia)

"And....I would like to ask you for a favour." (Hassan)

"What's it? I will do it. No matter what." (Aalia)

"Actually.... I am supposed to do a performance and I would love to ask you to join me." (Hassan)

"WHAAATTTTT??? I don't know to play any musical instruments." (Aalia)

"And who is asking you to play musical instruments?" (Hassan)

"Then?" (Aalia)

"I am going to play a song and you are going to sing." (Hassan)

"All alone?" (Aalia)

"No...it's going to be a duet song." (Hassan)

"And who is the other one?" (Aalia)

"Me? " (Hassan)

"Wait. Are we going to sing? Together? In front of an audience?Omg! Is it real? Are you kidding me? Wait.... I can't believe it."

Aalia started clapping her hands.

"So does that mean that you are OK with it?" (Hassan)

"Obviously. You are my partner, I am sure everything is going to be perfect." Aalia cheered.

"Let's do this." (Hassan)

"Yahhhhhhh.... " Aalia hugged him.

"Thank you so muchhhh.." (Aalia)

"From tomorrow onwards we can start our practice. OK?" (Hassan)

"Yah. For sure." (Aalia)

"Which song are we going to sing?" (Aalia)

"Imperfectly perfect. " Hassan said.

Aalia looked at him with astonishment. He was waiting to see her reaction.

"Why did you choose that song?" (Aalia)

"You said that it was your favorite song. So I thought of giving it a try." (Hassan)

Aalia was trying not to show her excitement.

"That's really sweet of you. OMG.... You are really helping me alot. " Aalia said cheerfully.

"Thank you for this." Hassan said, taking the parcel in his hand.

"And Thank you for everything." Aalia smiled.

"Should I drop you home?" (Hassan)

"Noo. I will drive." (Aalia)

"Ok..Then we will discuss everything tomorrow" (Hassan)

"Okie dokie" (Aalia)

_________________________

Reaching home Aalia texted Hana and Aleesha the good news. She was about to tell her dad about it , when she found him talking to someone on the phone. She was about to leave the room when she heard the name "Adnaan" in between the talks. Aalia walked out of the room searching for her mom.

"Mooom...Moooom" (Aalia)

"What happened?" (Mom)

"Who is dad talking to? " (Aalia)

"Adnaan." (Mom)

"Are they still talking?" (Mom)

"Yah...Maybe they have a lot to talk about." (Aalia)

She tried not to show her disappointment.

"Why did you call me?" (Mom)

"I got a chance. " (Aalia)

"For what?" (Mom)

"I am going to perform at Hassan's institution at the annual music festival." (Aalia)

"Did Hassan ask you to?" (Hasaan)

"Yah... Mom. I am sooo happy. We are going to do a duet song and we will decide everything tomorrow.. I hope everything goes well." (Aalia)

Her mom hugged her.

"congrats..Aali..It's going to be superb. I am sure about that." (Mom)

"Thanks mom.. " (Aalia)

"I am going upstairs. If you need any kind of help just call me. OK?" (Aalia)

"Yah..I will.." (Mom)

"Aaaalii"

She was about to leave when her mom called her from behind.

"What happened?" (Aalia)

"I got a complaint about you." (Mom)

"OK.. From whom? " (Aalia)

"Adnaan" (Mom)

"And can I know what it is?" (Aalia)

"He said that you are not contacting him like you used to do." (Mom)

"Why am I always the one to call him or text him, can't he contact me? Is his phone dead?" (Aalia)

"I was just informing you what I heard from him." (Mom)

"Yah Yah whatever." Aalia rolled her eyes.

"Is everything ok between you guys?" (Mom)

Aalia stared at her mom.

"Tell dad about the chance I got and inform him that I am mad at him." (Aalia)

"You didn't give me a response for the question I asked you. " (Mom)

"You are my mom and not his, try to take my stand and not his. Call HIM and ask HIM what his problem is. Don't ask me." She stressed the word Him.

With that she stomped out of the living room.

_________________________

Aalia sat on the bed staring at her phone.

''Aalia. Don't call him. You are strong and you got this. Why should I call him every time?Huh"

She looked at his name on her phone.

She texted hana.

'Hey dumbo...(●'з') When are you gonna come back? Missing you hard bro‹•.•›. How's your grandpa doing? I wanted to call you but I thought you would be busy. >_

__________________________

The next day Aalia was super excited.

'Are you free now?' Aalia texted Hassan.

'Yah.' (Hassan)

'wait.' (Aalia)

She took her hijab.

'Are you at home? ' (Aalia)

'Yah. Are you coming? ' (Hassan)

'Yh.' Aalia texted opening the front door.

"where are you going?" Dad interrogated.

"To Hana's place." (Aalia)

"Did Hana return?" (Dad)

"No. I am going to visit Hassan. We are going to discuss about the performance." Aalia said without looking at him.

"Yah." (Dad)

"Your mom said that you are mad at me. What happened?" (Dad)

"Nah. nah. Nah. I am not mad at you. I am ultra mad at you. Because I was waiting for you to cut the call so that I could talk to you but NO! You were too busy talking with your favorite Adnaan the great. So I thought of leaving you. And I would like to remind you that I am your daughter and he is not. So better you spend time with me and not him." (Aalia)

"Oooh...so that's the matter?" (Dad)

"We were talking about you. He said that you are not talking to him anymore." (Dad)

"Wait, what? Do you think so?" (Aalia)

Her dad stayed silent.

"You know what I was wrong thinking that you guys love me more, but now I think what Aleesha told me was right- 'I am adopted'. You love Adnaan more than me." Aalia wiped her fake tears.

She was going to continue her drama when she heard a chuckle. She turned around and saw Hassan standing behind her. She gave him an embarrassed smile.

"Assalamualaikum, uncle." (Hassan)

(Assalamualaikum is a greeting)

"Walaikum assalam, son." (Dad)

Aalia stood near Hassan when her dad was having a chit chat with Hassan.

"Let's go." (Hassan)

Aalia looked at her father who was standing there with a proud smile, making his daughter embarrassed. She didn't dare to look at Hassan after what he saw.

Entering the house aalia asked-

"Wait! Where is aunty? "

"Maybe doing some gardening." (Hassan)

"Can I go and meet her? " (Aalia)

"Yah for sure." (Hassan)

Hassan opened the back door for her.

"There she is. " (Hassan)

"thannq..." (Aalia)

"Assalamualaikum...." Aalia ran towards her favorite aunty.

"Walikkum assalam, dear." Hassan's mom said with an angelic smile.

"Don't touch me dear, my clothes are fully covered with mud." (Hassan's mom)

"It's been a long time since we have seen each other and you are not allowing me to hug you? " Aalia showed her puppy face.

"It's not like that. I will clean this mess up first and then we will have a hug. OK?" (Hassan's mom)

"Okie dokie" (Aalia)

"Should I help you? " (Aalia)

"NOO.. Don't worry I will do it." (Hassan's mom)

"Are you guys going to discuss the programme?" (Hassan's mom)

"Yah... " Aalia and Hassan said in unison.

"Hassan, Take her to your room. I will come after clearing these." (Hassan's mom)

"Yah... Let's go." (Hassan)

They went to the room and sat on the couch. Hassan took his guitar and kept it on the bed. He took a book and started scribbling in it.

"I have copied the lyrics from Google already. (Hassan)

"Ooh... that's cool" (Aalia)

"Black. huh? " (Aalia)

"What? My Guitar? " (Hassan)

"Yah... Even your guitar is black. That's cool. You dress black so.....as per my k-drama (Korean drama) knowledge your partner would be a fan of white maybe." (Aalia)

"What? Is that true." (Hassan)

"Maybe. I just guessed." (Aalia)

"So Aleesha told you that you are adopted?" (Hassan)

Aalia tried not to look at him.

"umm......who said so? " (Aalia)

"Should I refer her name?" (Hassan)

"No need. " (Aalia)

Hassan chuckled softly.

"So let's practice. Come on." (Hassan)

"Yah.. " (Aalia)

Hassan placed the microphone in front of her. That was the first step towards her passion. She wanted to sing in front of a crowd. Singing was her dream. Aalia looked at Hassan.

"Thank you." (Aalia)

"What happened? " (Hassan)

"As I said You are really helping me Alot." (Aalia)

"How?" (Hassan)

"I don't know whether you will understand what I feel or not. I don't know what you saw in me. I don't know why you are helping me. But I am glad that I have a person to stand beside me and encourage me to do something. ''Aalia said with a smile.

"I am doing this because you deserve it. And you shouldn't degrade yourself." (Hassan)

____________________________

After their practice, Aalia was using her phone and Hassan was packing his guitar when his mom came in.

"Hassan, Are you guys done with the practice? " (Mom)

"Yah.. Just a few more practices will surely make it perfect." Hassan said

Aalia gave him a cheeky smile.

"Tomorrow, will your parents be free during tea time?" His mom asked Aalia.

"Yeah I guess. What happened?" (Aalia)

"We are planning to have tea time together." (Mom)

"What? " Aalia and Hassan said in unison.

"That's cool. " (Aalia)

"That's great." (Hassan)

They looked at each other.

"Will Hana be there with us?" (Aalia)

"Actually she is planning to return next week I guess." (Hassan)

"Ooh... Is that so? It's OK I will call her today. Will she be free after 6 o'clock? " Aalia faked a smile.

"Yah for sure. " His mom replied.

"I think I should take a leave now." (Aalia)

"NOO.. I made this cold coffee for you two." his mom passed her a cute bottle.

"OMG. This bottle is too cute. Is it Hana's?" (Aalia)

"Yah.." Hassan chuckled.

Aalia drank the coffee. She felt awkward as Hassan and his mom were looking at her.

They were giggling at her.

"You are having a mustache now." (Hassan)

"Do I look like a boy now? " Aalia asked in male voice.

"Yah. Exactly." Hassan gave her an applause.

Aalia wiped it.

"Stop making fun of me." (Aalia)

Hassan lifted his hands as if he was surrendering .

"Aalia, the donuts you bought for me were really good. I loved it." (Hassan)

"Ooh...That's good. I will tell her that you loved it. " Aalia smiled at him and gave his mom a tight hug.

"See you tomorrow evening." Aalia cheered.

Hassan walked with her to her house.

"Is everything alright between you and Adnaan? " (Hassan)

'urgh! Why is everyone asking this stupid question. Did he just put it the newspaper that we are not talking anymore. Or in the radio? When he is not interested then why is he complaining about me? I should change his caller ID. "CRY BABY :-(" it will suit his character. Duh! ' Aalia thought.

Aalia looked at him with astonishment. She was running out of words.

"umm..... Yeah I guess. " Aalia gave him a small smile.

"hm... " (Hassan)

The awkward silence between them was growing. It was then Aalia spoke up.

"Ooh..Will see you tomorrow evening. Till its signing off from Aalia Minha the great. " Aalia blinked at him.

He was looking at her with a small smile.

"what happened? " Aalia asked

"why are you not blinking?" (Aalia)

"Nah. It's nothing. See ya. " Hassan said and walked towards his house. She looked at him and waved her hand.

Aalia went to her room after finishing the household chores with her mom. She opened the wardrobe.

"Hm..I guess I should buy a new dress for the annual music festival."

She took her phone and called Iqra.

"Hello... " (Aalia)

"What's up? " (Iqra)

"My friend really liked your Donuts." (Aalia)

"Thank you my dear Aali.." (Iqra)

"What you doing?" (Aalia)

"Reached home. Going to sleep." (Iqra)

"Oh? So should I cut the call?" (Aalia)

"Nah.... Tell me. What's with you mood?" (Iqra)

"Getting better. I feel really really good." (Aalia)

"Thank you, Aali. I know we are not close enough but I know you well. You should not force yourself. Be kind to your soul. Take time. "

Iqra motivated her. After a while she cut the call as Iqra wanted to talk to her dad. After every call from Iqra ,Aalia would feel better.

She looked at the Adnaan's dress placed near her dress.

"I should return it to him. Right?" She took the dress and sat on the bed.

She was deeply thinking about the day he gave her his dress to wear.

"No. Aalia. Remember. You. Shouldn't. Think. About. Him. He-"

She was interrupted by a call.

"Arrrggghhh. Who's it? " she took her phone.

"ADNAAN? "

'What happened to him? Why is he calling me now?' She thought.

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