Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Sey (ON HOLD)

Chapter 4

"Amna you sure you packed everything right." Alia asked for the tenth time.

"Yes meri maa! I did!" I told her.

"Allu come in my room when you done packing that I have to talk to you." I called her and went in my room. I sat on my bed and thought how they will manage everything without me here for 2 years.

"Whatsup Amnu? You look tensed. Everything okay?" Alia asked concerned as she made her way towards the bean bags an plopped down.

"Allu I know I don't need to say this, but still am." I paused and looked at Alia who was looking intensely at me. "Allu take good care of mom and yourself. Don't let her be stressed. And don't you skip any classes. I wont be there to cover up for you."

"I only skipped once yaar." She complained.

"And that one time was not any less than skipping lots of time." I remarked. "Don't let those aunties get on you or mom about anything. Especially about their favorite topic, shaddi. And keep calm and ignore them. Curse them all you want inside but don't let them out from your mouth."

"Got it! Anything more tips, advice?" she asked and I smiled and pulled her into a hug.

"You are very smart for me to go over the rest. Just don't let mom stress herself about anything. And... ugh! As much as I hate to say this... But... I love you meri Allu!" I tightened my trip on her and felt her do the same.

"I love you too Amnu!"

Our rare sister moment was interrupted by someone calling me. I looked at the caller id and frowned at the sight of Noor's name.I looked at Alia and she smiled and shaking her head.

"Flight main abhi 3 ghante hain." I quickly said without a greeting.

"Walekum assalam and I know. I was asking if you got everything ready. Oh, make sure you keep your work and training documents in your hand bag. I called Mr. Jackson he said they might be asking for that in the airport." She instructed me.

"Okay done meri maa. Aur kuch?" I asked her.

"Um...nahi. See at the airport then. Bye." She replied and we hung up.

"So where were we?" I asked Allu tickling her.

"Ahh stop that...Moommm!" she screamed between her laugh.

After messing, playing and talking to Allu, we went downstairs and chatted for a little bit. The time passed by so fast, that I didn't even realize it was time to go to the airport. Grabbing my entire luggage and all my things we drove off to the airport. Noor was there bidding bye to her family as well as some of the other people who were going with us.

After saying bye to everyone, we went inside the airport. Approximately thirty minutes later, the plane took off. With every second away from my family my eyes kept getting watery.

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After the worst 28 hours of my life, we had finally arrived in Texas. We got our luggage in a trolley and went to the main entrance. A man in his mid 40s or 50s stood there with a sign in his hand reading "Students from Karachi for Architecture Training."

"That's us!" a member of our group spoke.

We made our way toward the man and he smiled upon seeing us.

"Architecture kids?" he said not like a question.

"Yes sir that's us." One of our very talented students Nida said with huge smile plastered on her face.

"I am Williams Harris, the sponsor of this organization. I will be helping you train here and help you guys in anything of any sort." He told us with a smile and started walking towards the exit.

As we walked outside the airport, we saw the beautiful city. Well at least the airport. We stopped in front a limousine. The drive took everybody's luggage and put it in another car and opened the door for us.

Throughout the ride Mr. Harris gave us information about our work and other things. The ride seemed to take forever before we stopped in front of the place where we would be staying. It looked like a neighborhood.

"I got a call and there were some changes made as to where you guys were going to stay. So we bought a two houses for four people to live in each. The girls will be in one house and the boys will be in the other." He said as we got out of the car. "This first week you guys will be relaxing and exploring around. Starting next week, we will start training. Oh and I know that you guys have to eat halal food, there is a Pakistani restaurant a few blocks away where you guys can eat today if you want." A smile appeared on our faces when he said halal and Pakistani in his accent. The word halal has never sound this funny before.

"There's some frozen food in the freezer for you guys if you would like that." He added

After giving us a brief summary of what we are going to do tomorrow and where to meet him, he drove off. The girls took the house on the right and the boys took the other one. As we entered the house we widened our eyes in shock as to how beautiful it was. After choosing our rooms, we went in our room with our languages.

A sudden realization hits me as I remembered. I didn't call Ami or Allu to tell them we have landed safely. I quickly got my phone and called them. After several bells they answered.

"Assalaamu 'Alaikum Ami! Kesi hain aap?" I asked in a shaky tone. "Ami I miss you and my Allu."

When I didn't hear anything but a sob, my tears came flooding down my cheeks.

"Yaar Ami don't do this to me na. I'm already so sad to be away from you and now you are making it more hard for me."

"Acha sorry. Arrived safely?" she asked and I smiled heard her voice.

"Yes I did. Where is Alia?" I asked her.

"She's sleeping. It's 2 over here beta." She answered and I cursed myself for not checking the time before calling her.

"Sorry maa. Go sleep. Allah hafiz."

"Before you hang up, write these numbers down in case you need them. You will though at some point." she told me the numbers and I saved them in my phone.

"First number to Aunty ka hai, whose number is the second one?" I asked dumbly.

"The second one is the one you will need the most. It's Shehry's." I just stood there numb hearing his name. "Allah hafiz and take care." With that, she hung up.

I don't know why but a strange feeling engulfed me as I thought about him. I wonder how does he look like? "Hayyee agar mota ya mujhse height main chota hua toh? Khair ab jesa bhi ho, Shaddi to ussi se hogi" I thought to myself.

Whatever, let's not think about him... just yet. Right now let's just sleep. Getting comfy in my bed, I doze off into a deep slumber.

Assalaamu 'Alaikum Everyone!

Finally Amna has arrived in Texas. Sorry for the wait, but Amna and Shehry will be meeting each other in the next chapter In Sha Allah!

Thank you to all the people who vote and comment! This helps me a lot in writing this story!

Till the next chapter, Take care and Allah Hafiz! Love you guys.