Hidden bonds of love

2.

Ahmad is a young 25-year-old guy; he is very handsome and cute, He is tall and has strong muscles. He has a very cute smile that is hard to resist.

Ahmad drove his car towards the school to pick up his sister, Maryam. Ahmad is Mustabshira's brother and Mommy Beauty's son. He is also a stepbrother to Maryam. Parking the car in front of the school gate, he lowered the tinted window of his car, scanning the surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of his beloved sister among the throng of students.

Lost in her own musings, Maryam walked calmly under the scorching sun, her face glistening with perspiration. The sound of a car horn barely registered in her consciousness until her eyes caught sight of the rolled-down window. A wide smile spread across her face as she recognized her stepbrother. With excitement and a sense of serenity filling her heart, she walked towards the car and gently opened the front door, settling into the seat.

"Yaya Ahmad, did you buy a new car?" Maryam asked cheerfully, her voice brimming with curiosity.

Ahmad offered her a smile and nodded, intrigued by her interest. Maryam turned her attention to the back of the car, captivated by its features. Turning back to Ahmad, she embraced him tightly, congratulating him on the new purchase. Inquiring about his sister, Mustabshira, Ahmad discovered that she had already left with the family driver.

Starting the car, Ahmad drove carefully, leaving the school premises and heading towards a restaurant. He had planned to treat Maryam, who had longed for quality time with her stepbrother, to a meal where they could share stories of their recent adventures together.

As they embarked on their journey, Maryam cast a curious glance at her stepbrother. Her face revealed her inquisitiveness. Ahmad noticed her expression and informed her that they were heading home. Maryam fell silent, her lips forming a pout.

"Yaya Ahmad, you know Mommy will be angry if she finds out I went to your place, and Mustabshira won't be happy to see me," Maryam confessed, her sadness evident.

Ahmad stole a quick glance at her before focusing on the road, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Don't worry, I already called your mom, but she didn't pick up. Maybe she's in a meeting or something."

Maryam's face lit up with a smile as she admitted how much she had missed him. With a warm smile in return, Ahmad expressed his longing for her as well. They reached the gate of their house, and Ahmad honked, prompting the gatekeeper to open it. They entered the compound and parked the car in the designated spot before making their way into the house.

Inside the house, Maryam found the sitting room empty. She chose a chair near the door to remove her sandals, preparing to step inside. Ahmad, her brother, quickly went inside and returned with a cup of water, offering it to her. Their eyes met as Maryam entered the room, and Ahmad handed her the cup, a gesture of warmth and thoughtfulness. Grateful, she collected the cup and found her place on the couch. Thirsty from her journey, she drank the water, relishing the coolness that soothed her parched throat. Placing the cup on the small stool in front of her, she took a moment to appreciate the tranquility of the surroundings.

A surge of happiness welled up within Maryam's heart as she addressed her brother, remarking on how they hadn't seen each other in three weeks. Ahmad explained that he had been preoccupied with work, which had kept him away. Just then, Mommy Beauty, Ahmad's mother, entered the room with a gentle smile playing on her lips. The sight of Maryam seemed to evoke fond memories, prompting Mommy Beauty to express her longing for Maryam's present. She was surprised to see Maryam sitting on the couch. She couldn't hide her surprise as she smiled at her.

"Who do we have here? Maryam, it has been too long since you last visited," Mommy Beauty said, her voice filled with a mix of joy and nostalgia. Maryam's face lit up with a smile as she warmly greeted her, exchanging pleasantries. Mommy Beauty took a seat on the couch beside Maryam, their proximity bridging the gap of time.

"I know it was Ahmad who brought you here," Mommy Beauty remarked, her eyes gleaming with understanding.

"Yes, I did. I missed everyone, and besides, Daddy is coming back today," Ahmad replied, his smile radiant with anticipation.

Upon hearing the news of her father's imminent return, Maryam couldn't contain her excitement. Her face beamed with joy, her smile illuminating the room.

"Oh, yes! We should prepare all of his favorite dishes to welcome him home. You can help us if you'd like," Mommy Beauty suggested, her gaze fixed on Maryam.

Overwhelmed with happiness, Maryam eagerly agreed, her love for cooking fueling her enthusiasm. She felt fortunate that her brother had come to pick her up from school, as her mother would likely have disapproved of her visiting their house to see her father.

Mustabshira who is just a 16yeas old girl age mate with Maryam, she is Ahmad's younger sister, she walked into the living room barefoot, without wearing shoes, and her head was without a scarf exposing her long dark hair. She was still in her school uniform.

"Mommy beauty! Mommy beauty," Mustabshira called out, her voice carrying a hint of dissatisfaction, as she entered the sitting room. Her facial expression betrayed a mix of emotions—neither fully happy nor angry. Upon noticing Maryam's presence, Mustabshira's face contorted into a frown, her questioning gaze aimed at her sister.

The entire room became aware of Mustabshira's piercing glance towards Maryam. However, Mommy Beauty responded with a gentle smile, urging Mustabshira to refrain from giving her sister such a look. Mustabshira responded with an indifferent eye roll and a dismissive hiss before leaving the sitting room, without uttering the reason for her initial call to her mother.

Though Maryam maintained her composure, the hurt in her eyes revealed the impact of Mustabshira's behavior. She was accustomed to her sister's animosity, especially at school, where Mustabshira pretended not to know her despite sharing the same class. Ahmad, noticing Maryam's distress, offered a comforting reassurance.

"Don't mind her, Maryam," Ahmad said, his voice filled with empathy.

"It's alright. Shall we go to the kitchen and see what we can start preparing?" Maryam suggested, attempting to divert the conversation to a more positive subject.

"No, you should rest first, take a shower, and change your clothes. I'll call you when it's time," Mommy Beauty intervened, concerned for Maryam's well-being.

Maryam rose from the couch and made her way to her room. Even though she didn't reside with them, she still had her own space within the house. Entering the bathroom, she indulged in a warm shower, finding solace in the cascading water. Returning to her room, she rummaged through the closet, selecting a ready-made purple gown that she adorned herself with. Considering the scorching weather, she decided against applying any Vaseline, opting to embrace the natural warmth of the atmosphere.

Lying down on the bed, Maryam realized that the remote control for the air conditioner was missing, leaving her without any means to cool the room. With no fans in sight, she resigned herself to the heat, her thoughts drifting to her mother's inevitable reaction upon discovering her visit to her stepmother's home. A tinge of sadness clouded her face momentarily, but the anticipation of seeing her father again brought relief and happiness back into her heart.

Hey, my dear readers I hope you all are starting to like this book. I hope you enjoy it. Please don't forget to vote and comment. Thank u. 😊

Much love
Fridausi ❤️