Destined To Be.

Chapter 28

James,

My eyes search for Ayla, she is nowhere in sight. I sigh inwardly as this is  not a good sign. I mean having the door slammed in my face was a dead give away,  but now her disappearing act confirms it.

Well, what did I expect?

Did I expect to find the Ayla of the past who declared her love to me numerous times but I was to much of a chicken shit to express or admit my love for her. Actually, how the hell can Iexpect her to have any kind of feelings towards me? I mean she's has been married, widowed and a mother.

The little beauty is still in my arms as she plays with my beard, her little chubby hands pulling on it with fascination, her joyous laughter when the rough hairs tickle her.

"My Lord, She has fallen in love." Mrs Jahan exclaims happily, clapping her hands in joy.

"With me or the beard?" I smile back, Salwa looks up with her exeptionally ,unique coloured  eyes. Not like her mother's, no, who still happens to haunt my dreams, but they take after her father's. In fact she looks like a mini version of him as they is hardly any trace of Ayla in her apart from her olive complexion and hair  colour.

"Where's obai." She looks expectantly at Mrs Jahan as she has just realised that her mother is not in the room anymore.

"Treehouse". All three women confirm in unison as they share a look amonsgt themselves.

I look at Aqsa and she nods her head slowly. "I'll go and check on her". She quickly walks out towards the garden.

"Everything okay Mrs Jahan?" I can feel a little shift in the atmosphere.

"Everything is fine James. Come on tell me all about life down under." Inaya pulls me along to the seating area and flops down on the sofa.

"Come on Missy, It's time for your bath. "Mrs Jahan attempts to take away Salwa but she clings on to me, shaking her head as she cuddles further into my arms leaning her head back against my chest.

My heart lurches at the gesture. What a charming little girl. she barely knows me , yet she has taking an instant liking towards me. Definitely a  trait from her Mother. My gut clenches as I think of the woman in question.

"What is this my Jan?. You little traitor. You do this to you poor Adi." Mrs Jahan puts her hands on her hips and huffs out loud, pretending to look offended.

Salwa looks up at me then back at her grandma. Her face scrunches up in thougt then she looks back up at me, and giving my beard a last pat.."Adi is sad. I come back okay." She tells me in her most serious cute voice and I nod my head smiling .

She then slides of my lap and goes to her grandma, holding her arms up, where she's instantly scooped and and smothered in kisses, her little squeals of laughter infecting the room.

"My Jan is so caring isn't she James."Mrs Jahan beams with pride. "Now i'll be back, I just need to clean this Princess up." She turns and I see Salwa peeking over her shoulder , waving at me.

I wave back, my heart is bursting at the seams ,she's a beautiful child no doubt but her personality is beyond something else. I've never come across a child who is so loving and affectionate towards a stranger , for there is no doubt that Im exactly that. I may have seen her grow up virtually with all the communication between Aqsa , Mrs Jahan and the rest but she has never seen me until now.

"She has good taste ."Inaya nudges me ,winking. "Like mother like daughter eh". Another wink.

"Somethings never change, like that mouth of yours with no filter.." I wink back exaggeratly and we both burst out laughing.