Make Me Yours

Chapter 14

"Let’s go, Tashi Api (sister)!" After finishing her brief conversation with Ashar and Ali, Zeni grabbed Tasha’s wrist and guided her out of the building and towards the parking lot where their driver was waiting.

"How do you know Hamza Sir (Mr.)?" While walking away from her professors, Zeni finally asked the question that was bugging her all this time.

"You mean Hamza Bhai (brother)?" Tashi pretended. "I met him at Abdullah Bhai’s wedding. He is Bhabhi’s (sister-in-law) cousin and my new friend." She replied enthusiastically and only told the safer side of the story.

Satisfied for the moment, Zeni believed her half-baked story, though a small doubt lingered in her mind.

Meanwhile, from a distance, Hamza, Ali, and Ashar continued their stroll towards the parking lot.

"She is such a sweet kid. I really like the kid!" Hamza shared his thoughts with genuine fondness, his eyes following the departing sisters.

Ashar, maintaining his usual stoic demeanor, added, "She is loud."

"But a good kid!" Hamza teased with a playful smile towards Ashar, nudging him lightly, which earned a chuckle from Ali.

Ashar rolled his eyes, "Whatever," he shrugged, attempting to appear nonchalant, but even he couldn't deny the statement. There was something endearing about Tasha's unabashed enthusiasm.

Back in the car, as the engine hummed to life, Zeni’s mind wandered back to her sister's mysterious friendship. She couldn't quite shake the feeling that there was more to the story than Tasha was letting on. Yet, with exams looming, she decided to let it slide for now.

The trio of professors made their way to their respective cars, continuing their banter, leaving the university premises behind as the sun dipped below the skyline.

......

After a few days around Maghrib (evening prayer), before dinner, Asma and Abid were sitting in their lounge and discussing something while the girls were in their rooms.

“I really like the family, Abid. We should talk to Zeni about it.”

"I like them too, but let's look for Tasha first before finalizing anything for Zeni. You know Tasha is older than her," Abid suggested.

"Yes, but they have asked for Zeni’s hand. We are looking for Tasha too, but let’s finalize the proposal for Zeni first. It is not an issue as we are only finalizing it and not marrying her off before Tasha. Let’s just talk to Zeni and show her the picture. If she says yes, then we can move forward with it. And if no, then it’s not like we will ever force her to anything,” Asma reasoned, which made Abid agree.

So, after dinner, Asma and Abid called Zeni to their room. Tasha was excluded from these things for now as she only causes mischief and can make a new show out of this serious conversation too.

"Mama, Baba, ap nay bulaya?" (Mom, Dad, you called?) Zeni asked after knocking.

"Yes, dear! Come in!" Asma beckoned her inside and patted the place beside her on the bed. She was sitting on the bed while Abid was sitting on the sofa. He smiled fondly at his polite and beautiful younger daughter. Where one daughter was a hurricane, this second girl of his was peace after that hurricane. Where one was a headache most of the time, the other was the pain reliever. This was kind of amusing for him, but he loves them to death.

The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm hue across the room, creating an atmosphere of familiarity as Zeni entered her parents' room. Asma, seated on the edge of their bed, welcomed her with open arms, her expression a blend of love and care.