Journey To The Half Of My Deen

Chapter Thirteen

LAIBA P.O.V

I gave him directions to the gym and kept looking out the window before an incoming call took my attention away from the view outside. I saw the caller ID flash my brother's name "Assalamu Alaikum, Hello?" I asked Arif "You called?" i heard him question

"Yeah, i was alone at home and wanted to go to the gym, i did not know of your whereabouts so i was calling to ask you if you were close and if you could take me" i rambled "No, sorry Laiba Didi i have come with Kareem for football and right now is half time, i just saw your missed calls" he said and i nodded realising he can not see me "umm.. okay, enjoy your game" i told him as we said out goodbyes and ended the call.

i looked up to realise Zeeshan was staring at me from the mirror i looked away, not long after i saw the gym come close "you can park here" i suggested that i would just have to cross the road.

He nodded but was silent. I somehow expected him to say something to me but he did not say anything. In a way I was glad but somehow still sad. "Laiba could you leave me the house keys as i will be going home" I heard Zeeshan say

i looked up at him "yes, of course. i will give you the house keys as i have my own key" i smiled at him as i took out the keys and gave it to him, but as he was taking it his fingers touched my hand making me gasp and retrieve my hand and drop the keys "I'm sorry" we both said and i repeatedly said Astaghfirullah in my heart as i came out the car quickly and went straight to the gym.

As I entered I was greeted by many, I smiled and went straight to my office, my heart was beating fast. I could not stop thinking about what just happened. it should not happen again. I did wudhu in the bathroom and prayed two rakats of Tawbah. I continued working on the computer and did the accounts that I knew.

After what felt like a few hours I got a message from mom that they are all ready and leaving for the restaurant, and that Irfan will pick me up on his way home then we will get ready and leave. That is not fair though as Irfan and I will be the last ones to reach there. I hated to grab everyone's attention but somehow I always managed to grab the attention. I hate that.

I started to wind up everything and all the staff were doing their last routines before they all left one by one. I kept waiting for Irfan but he had not come yet which made me frustrated. I took out my phone and decided to call him but before I could do that I saw his car and soon he honked for me to hurry "Alhamdulillah" i muttered before locking and entering the car. I did not ask why he got late as he seemed really angry and decided to leave it and not ask him.

***

Once we reached home I quickly showered and got ready. I put on a bit of makeup as well as some jewellery before I heard Irfan screaming for the hundredth time to hurry up. I looked for my shoes and ran downstairs with a guilty look. I apologised before I noticed how handsome my brother looked. I smelled his perfume and smiled. I loved that scent.

After what felt like a few minutes we reached there and I stepped out, my brother walked fast ahead as i struggled to catch up with him, short people problems. As we reached the table our family was in, I noticed how huge they had actually made the table by joining many, i sat right in between my mother and Halima, i hugged my mom then hugged Halima.

"why are you late?" Halima asked and i did not know how exactly to start, the top i was going to wear ripped from the side as it got stuck in the door handle oof it was so bad, i wanted to cry at that moment and not come for the dinner. but i just took out my new top and wore that with a skirt.

I turned to look at Sadaf, she looked so pretty Maa Shaa Allah, no doubt she was amongst those whose beauty would catch your eye from afar. Tonight she wore the dress her father got from turkey. It really showed how much she loved it, not only because it is beautiful but because her father got it for her. Sadaf is very loved by her father, she is his princess. though sadaf hates it if her father gives anyone else the love or attention.

Alhamdulillah i am my parents favourite and also my siblings. I get the love from them which is enough, I am grateful for that. I turned to look at the eyes that were caught once again looking at me, my breath hitched and my heartbeat fastened, I looked away realising I was staring back.

I took a huge breath in, I felt nervous after the encounter in the car. I felt guilty and I do not know why. I know it was a mistake but still it felt so wrong. I did not tell Halima or anyone that I let him drop me, if I ever did I know for sure Halima will have my head.

The food started to arrive and it all smelled amazing. I stayed quiet and kept a small conversation with Lubna, Lubaba, Sadaf and Halima. Lubaba was whining about how she is going to start her final year and is stressing about it while the rest of us were assuring her that it will be fine.

I saw with the corner of my eyes that Zeeshan left without eating, he had apologised to uncle before he disappeared, my hand turned cold and I had a feeling like something would happen. I hated feeling like that because usually when I felt like that something actually does happen, sometimes good and sometimes bad.

We all had our dinner and while we were leaving i got a call from Rania "Assalamu Alaikum" i said "Wa Alaikum Salam, Laibaaaa" she screamed on the other side of the call making pull the phone a bit away from my ear "oh my! What happened?" I asked anxiously

"I said YES" she responded squealing happily

"WHAT?" I screamed happily "Mabrook! Tell me everything!" i said before we talked for a long time and i fell asleep.