Always Hers

Always Hers (31): Four Months Later

Waliyah's P.O.V. 

"Amal!" I exclaimed as she kept her hand over my eyes as she led me into the Qureshi House, "What are you doing?" 

She giggled, "Just a few more steps,"  We walked alittle while more until she stopped me, "Okay, do not open your eyes until I tell you." 

"Got it," I said waiting for whatever she was bringing me, but soon the lights shot on, and all I heard was. . ."CONGRATULATIONS!"

I opened my eyes slightly scared to see my family and the whole Qureshi family celebrating my success of graduating college with my educational degree. My eyes. filled with tears of happiness as everyone danced around me, "Congratulations," Samar said chuckling stopping infront of me, "I think we all know how hard you worked to catch up with everyone, once all the marriages stopped. You will be an amazing teacher Wafa,"

He had no idea how much his kind words meant to me. . ."Thank you," I said quietly,  taking the bouquet of flowers he was holding for me, Baba and Amma came and hugged me tightly, "Congratulations." They said together,  "We are so proud of you, Wafa." Baba said, 

"Thank you, Baba,' I said half-heartedly. I wasn't in the mood to really celebrate my success. . . I just liked being alone these days, after Amal and Samar's I kept looking for ways to distract myself. One of the ways to focus back on my education, I spend days and nights just studying and trying to do the best I could. . this helped. me from getting out of going out with them, I had an. excuse and said I was busy. . studying is what kept me sane. 

These past four months have gone by painfully slow, but beautiful past for the new couple. . . Samar and Amal were having the best time with one another,  everything that I wished for them, and they did not need. a person like me around them who would just ruin everything with her mood. Mary Api still. taunts me with the photos but hasn't really taken any action. . so I do not have to worry about her. . .all in all,  from an outsider's view, everything was perfect. 

. . .

"So, what are the plans now?" Adeel Khalu asked as we all sat down for dinner, "Have you applied anywhere yet?"

I breathed out heavily, "Malli's school." I said, "The principal knows me, and the four of us went there, so I was just planning to teach there."

"Plus it's close to home," Ayra pointed out. 

I nodded, "Yeah,"

Mahira Khala chuckled,  "That is an advantage but when you get married, it might be a problem traveling back and forth so much." It was only an hour drive. 

"I do not want to get married," I announced as I took a bit out of my chicken, "Baba and Amma know that." The table quieted down, as all eyes turned towards me. 

"What?" Amal said almost dejected, "But Wafa, you always dreamt of a prince charming. I remember when we were younger-"

"That was then," I interrupted her, "People change Amal," Samar looked at me confused as I looked back down at my plate, "Plus, there is still Ayra and Malli, we have to worry about. I do not have time for all that."

The truth was. .  .I couldnt bear to think of being with someone else. I know it was wrong. . . I know that he is married to someone else, to Amal but my heart still longs for him. Love is a strange thing. . .  once you have fallen. . .there is no way out.  Amal shrunk in her seat,  "Right," 

"Yeah," I began breaking pieces of the chicken leg as my appetite had completely vanished due to the topic. 

Baba cleared his throat awkwardly, "Abhi time hai-" (There is still time-) I shot him an angry look before he could finish his sentence. I stand up tired of this topic, "Excuse me," I say before storming out to the back wanting some fresh air.