Destined To Be.

Chapter 27

Ayla

No!

I must be dreaming!

It can't be him!

Without thinking I back away from the door and slam it in his face. Turning abruptly, I bump into Aqsa. She has a smile on her face which soon falters as she sees my face.

"Hey sis, What's the matter? You look as if you've seen a ghost!" She takes a hold of my hand pulling me back towards the front door. Opening it she beams at the person on the other side and soon let's go of my hand to jump into his arms.

What!

What am I missing here?

"My God, it's so good to see you, James! I can't believe you're finally here." She takes a step back and looks him up and down. "Damn, the outback has been kind to you."

"Yeah. Well look who is talking. You have become even more beautiful over my absence." He chuckles as he playfully slaps her on the arm.

Why am I here standing like an idiot?

What the hell is wrong with me?

"It's good to see you J. ..James. Sorry about earlier". I pull nervously at my hair and to my horror realise that I do not have my hijab on.

Oh shit!!

I quickly turned, without waiting for his reply, dashed down the hallway mortified at the thought of a man seeing me without my head covered and not just any man but James Dean Hudson.

"Hey girl where's the fire?" Inaya steps into my way, blocking my exit.

"I need to pass Inaya, Salwa might be awake." I try to push her aside, but she is having none of it as she continues to block my way. She knows something has rattled me and my annoying, sister is not budging until she finds the underlying cause of it.

"Salwa is with Mamma in the kitchen so spit it o.....oh my God!!" She pushes me out of the way when her eyes lands on something or in this case someone and rushes forwards, screaming like a banshee.

I roll my eyes. Somethings never change. James has barely been back, and members of my household are going crazy over him.

I leave Inaya to it and continue to make my way towards the living room, grabbing my hijab from the sofa I quickly throw it on my head and wrap it around my neck.

I notice that my hands are shaking, my body has gone haywire. I cannot seem to think properly. Numerous thoughts swirling through my brain.

When did he get back?

Why is he back?

Why does my body feel as if I have run a marathon?

Why do I feel like a traitor?

I enter the kitchen; my eyes instantly land on the one person who can calm me immediately. Salwa is being fed by Mamma. She is more than capable of feeding herself, but she loves the attention and mollycoddling she receives from her Adi,( grandmother).

Her eyes land on me, her beautiful face so like her father's breaks into a soul soothing smile. Her eyes, another of her Father's features twinkle as she sees me approaching.

"Obai.''(mom) She puts out her hands to be picked up. I love that word that comes out of her mouth. Afsan's parents are devout pushtu speakers and she has become so fluent at the language at such an early age.

"Hey baby. How is my khaista (beautiful) girl doing?" I lose myself in her scent trying to calm my erratic heartbeat down.

"Everything okay dear?" Mamma touches my arm with concern.