Her Destiny || 📒

part 17

As they returned to the office, the familiar ring of Ayliz's phone broke the silence. She glanced at the screen, her eyes widening slightly as she saw her father's name flashing on the display. "Assalamualaikum, Appa," she answered, her voice warm and respectful.

"Walaikum assalam, Ayliz," her father's deep voice replied. "Would you come home early today. We need to discuss something important."

Ayliz's curiosity was piqued, but she simply nodded, even though she knew he couldn't see her. "Okay, Appa. I'll be there."

The call ended, and Ayliz's eyes lingered on the screen, her mind already racing with possibilities. What could her father want to discuss? She shrugged it off, focusing on the work ahead.

.............

As the evening sun cast its warm glow, Ayliz stepped into the cozy embrace of her home, greeting her parents with a gentle "Assalamualaikum."

Her mother's response was a soothing balm, "Walaikum assalam, dear. How was your day?"

Ayliz's mind wandered back to the restaurant, her thoughts colliding with the memory of Zayan and their brief, yet unsettling encounter. She brushed it off with a casual "Nothing special, just hectic," as she sipped water from the glass her mother had handed her.

Her mother nodded and said, "Okay, my child. Go freshen up. Dinner will be ready soon."

Ayliz closed her bedroom door behind her and padded over to her wardrobe, pulling out her favorite night hoodie and trousers. She slipped into the bathroom, the warm water of the shower enveloping her like a gentle embrace. As she washed away the day's grime, she stepped out of the bathroom.

As she rubbed her hair with a towel, the soft gentle caress on her scalp, Ayliz's thoughts were a thousand miles away. She moved on the shelf , reaching for the hair dryer and standing in front of the mirror, the warm air a soothing balm on her damp locks. But as she gazed into her own eyes, the memory of the restaurant came crashing back, unbidden.

"That Zayan, what a clueless wonder, walking and texting at the same time!" she thought, a wry smile twisting her lips. "Idiot," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head in disbelief.

With a flick of her wrist, she gathered her hair into a ponytail, the strands falling into place with a soft rustle. She draped a loose hijab over her head, the fabric a comforting embrace. Shaking off the lingering thoughts of Zayan, she headed downstairs.

As Ayliz entered the hall, her eyes locked onto her mother, her face a picture of hunger and anticipation. "Mumma, I'm absolutely famished!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with a hint of impatience. "Can we please have dinner now"?

Her mother's warm smile and said  "Of course, sweetie, go take a seat, I'll tell the maid to set the table. I just need to call your father," she replied, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled.

"Where is he?" she asked.

"In the library, my child," her mother replied, her tone distracted, her eyes already straying towards the phone. "He's been buried in that new book of his all day."

Ayliz nodded, her stomach growling in protest. "Okay, Mumma, you go ahead," she said, already turning towards the dining table.

Ayliz's father, was deep in thought in his office when his wife's gentle voice interrupted him.

"Zubair, dear, dinner is ready," she said, standing in the doorway.

He looked up, a hint of a smile on his face. "Ah, my love, I'm so sorry. I have dinner plans with Mr. Haroon at the restaurant tonight."