Broken Birds

Eleven

Anwar's POV.

Calling Aryan is one of the hardest things I've ever done.
I hated him, in fact I despised him after he got out of my car that day.

But I hated him because he was right. What I needed was the truth no matter how painful. I couldn't continue living like this, I'm only thirty. At this point I won't make it to thirty five, I would have died of depression.

I want to be happy.
I want to be surrounded by people I love.
I want to be able to lift my head up.

And I will never be able to do that if I continue living like this, timid and pathetic. I don't know how he intends to do it but I'm willing to.

Hearing him confess his feelings took me off guard. And I can't deny that a part of me is still not buying it a hundred percent. Aryan seems like a guy women fawn over so the fact that he wants me, I just can't and won't believe it.

"What do you think?"
I raise my head and look at Isa, I had no idea what he was saying or what we were discussing.
"Huh?"

He huffs frustratedly "You said the quality of the boxes isn't so good so I made changes, what do you think?"

Oh yeah.
Isa is my supplier.
He makes all the small packs I put the soaps and the small containers I put in the shower gel, conditioner, body lotion and shampoo.

I smile "I love it" I turn to my best friend Sarah "What do you think? You and your husband spend quite a lot of time in hotels, does it look good to you?"

She nods "It does but isn't off white a bit boring? Why not change the color?"
"I wish but the hotel specifically asked for this color and the manager had been adamant about it"

She nods "Okay then. It's great"
I smile and turn to Isa "Okay, I need about 300 of each"

His mouth drops.
"But we've never done that much. When do you need it?"
"By next week Friday. This is a bigger gig for us"

He nods "I'll try but I'm going to need more help"
"You can hire people to help"
He smiles "Then I'll get right to it"

"Thank you"

As we walked out of the building I couldn't stop smiling. Could this really be it for me? I wish though.
"What's with all the smiles?"

I shake my head trying to frown but I just couldn't.
"This can't be Awwal, who is it?" She asks excitedly.

I didn't want to talk about Aryan to anyone else, not yet. Not until he's come up with a plan and not until I know he's not trying to play with me.

I know Sarah is my best friend but maybe I'm also doing this to lessen the disappointment. I don't want to introduce him to anyone out of excitement and then he disappears one day, I wouldn't be able to take the heartbreak.

"It's Awwal actually"
She scoffs "I don't believe you but if you say so".

::

Aryan sent me a location and asked me to be there in thirty minutes.
It was a shopping mall and I can't deny that I'm confused, what are we going to do in a shopping mall?

"Just wait and see" he says when I arrive and finally ask him.
"Just tell me, I hate the wait"

He shakes his head "Then you have to wait" he starts walking "Come on, let's go"
I huff and follow along.

What if he asks me to buy something?
What would I do next?
I can't afford anything that I don't need.

We enter a huge shop. Dresses showcased on many racks.
"Now, choose the ones you like"

"And do what with them?"
He groans "Anwar please don't ruin the fun and just pick the dresses that tickles your fancy"

I huff "How many?"
He shrugs "As many as you want".

I pick all of them out meanwhile Aryan seems to be making good conversation with the sales girl.
I try to ignore it but it's difficult when you keep hearing her giggle and his deep voice chuckling.

Honestly, I wasn't done picking them out but I went back anyway and it's not because I'm jealous.
"Here they are" I say struggling with the dresses.
I don't even know how many, I just kept picking at some point I was so focused on these two I didn't know what I was picking.

"Is that okay?" He asks looking at them disappointedly.
I gasp "I can't pack the whole store"

He nods "What size do you wear?"
"I'm a size 7"
He turns to the girl "Can I have them all in a size seven?"

She nods "But you know the drill, you'll have to go and come back"
"Yeah, can you add those sweets you add to the package?"

She smiles "Anything for my favorite customer"
He smiles as we both make our way out.
"The owner of the shop gets someone to make sweets for them, they're great. And they've refused to tell me who their plug is" he huffs.

I wonder how many girls he's brought here with the intention to 'help' them. I suddenly start feeling annoyed, I guess there was nothing special about me.

"I hope those dresses aren't for me"
He rolls his eyes "Then who are they for? I don't wear dresses and even if I do I doubt I'm a size seven. You know it so why are you asking me?"
"I don't want your handouts. The clothes I wear are just fine, I don't need your charity"

He huffs "Please stop behaving like a child. You keep talking about the fact that you're thirty, it bothers but you don't behave it. Be mature and please don't ask me what my intentions are because I've told you so many times. For people to start taking you serious you have to show them you're not who you used to be—let them see change and even without saying a word they'll know. You say your sisters look down on you because their husbands spend money on them. Don't worry, I won't give you a receipt at the end of the day".

I nod.
He made a point but I was still annoyed, I don't really know why. He wants to buy me stuff? Fine I won't stop him, I'll take everything and when he finally makes his intentions known, I'll japa.

::

Okay.
The rest of the day went worse than I imagined. Can you believe Aryan knew and had conversation with most sales girls in that place?

Is he that much of a fuck boy?
Honestly, he didn't give me the boy vibes.

Anyway, I left everything he got me in my trunk. I didn't want anyone to see it and think I've become a runs girl.

I went inside and find my brother and his wife eating in the dinning room.
"This is new"

"You're back. I've been calling your phone all day"
I huff seating at the end of the table "It doesn't ring anymore".
"I got you a phone but you sold it instead. You can't keep living like you're managing everything. You just can't"

I nod "Don't worry, with my new client I doubt I'll need to"
"Make the change today"

"Yeah I know but now where are my kids?" I ask enquiring about my niece and nephew.
"Islamic school"

I look at my watch "It's almost time, I'll go pick them up"
Zainab smiles widely "You're a life saver".

"I'll be right back" I head out.

::