ZAID AND MARYAM ~ Their Story

20 - The Hike - 01

--- ZAID KHALID ---

It was finally the morning of the much anticipated hike. Normally we wouldn't plan this when we have guests around but Abba said he wanted to spend some quality times with friends other than go hunting or play golf all day long. He says it reminds them of their youth.

Speaking of youth, I finally met Kiara again. When I returned from the States, I'd not even bothered to visit her or accept their request on visiting me. But now, I couldn't avoid her.

She was still the same Kiara I knew. Bold, pompous and a bit selfish. Wait let me emphasize the selfish part a bit more. That's what who knew her personally saw in her, anyways.

Others? They saw a dark, reserved women, who can handle different languages fluently, who stays strong on her opinion very well and always got anything she wanted. She was everything an heiress of a very wealthy fortune could be.

But when I saw her again yesterday, I recalled what Bella said on the first morning Maryam got here. She said the family expected me to get engaged to her. How could they even make decisions like that? And in fact,there were the question of the two proposals; one which is definitely gonna happen after my birthday. Charlie's or mine. That was the rumor. But I knew for sure one of them was not happening.

Anyways.

We had to leave soon after Subahi so everyone finished their last minute getting ready. I quickly got dressed and went downstairs to see Maryam and Aziz arguing with each other.

"You're still not going to introduce me to her?" Maryam was asking. Aziz had a why-would-I-ever-tell-you kinda look. And he seemed pretty tired doing this conversation this early in the morning.

"No and no," Aziz replied, bored. "Oh wait a minute, let me think again! No."

"But why?" Maryam whined.

"Cause its none of your freaking business!" And Aziz proceeded to wrap his right elbow around her neck while he practically shoved her outside.

I smiled at this. Their cause of this  conversation could probably be caused by the arrival of the Hosseini Family yesterday evening. I always knew for a long time the youngest daughter, Aleena Hosseini and Aziz Sheikh had a secret fling going on. Bella and Amr used to spy on them talking whenever they came over years ago.

"Everything's settled, isn't it Zaid?" Abba came all of a sudden. I gave a small nod and said, "Yes, Abba. I checked everything. "

He patted my shoulder and said, "Good." Even though he had no particular expression on his face, the gesture made me feel proud.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

After the guide gave some instructions, everyone went on to get in the helicopters. It was pretty chilly for a morning and I even saw some of the guests shivering.

"Come on, Zaid. We're leaving," said Kiara and motioned me to follow her. I looked around to see any other ride left. The elders had got onto three of them. All those were left was me, Aziz, Kiara, Aleena, Amr and Maryam and some of Aleena's family.

I heard a giggle from Maryam as Adam whispered a joke in her ear. Someone might have rather hit a hammer on my head and I still couldn't be mad at the person than I am right now. Something pinched me on the inside as I saw them talk and laugh freely.

We never talked like that. And most of it were my fault.

Kiara scoffed as I left her there standing.

I walked over to Adam and said, "Can't believe this is the only ride left. Get in quick, we haven't got all day."

Adam shifted uncomfortably and muttered,"Yeah, lets get in," unenthusiastically

I loved how to see how uncomfortable he got!

Inside the ride, Aleena and her twin brothers were already seated. Her brothers were ten years older than Aziz and maybe that's why he was nervous in asking them to marry Aleena.

I fastened my seatbelt and send a text to Amr as the signal. He sent a thumbs up in reply. Slowly, the helicopters started taking off.

As soon as ours started, I noticed Maryam immediately. She had her head in her hands and almost seem as if she was crying.

I panicked immediately and asked her what's wrong. It was Adam who replied,

"Its alright, Zaid. She just has a slight case of aerophobia. Its nothing to worry about. "

Her sobs increased. And also did her shivering.

I stood up and yelled, "STOP THE HELICOPER!"

Adam jumped up from his seat and tried to calm me down but I wouldn't sit. "Zaid, you don't have to stop the helicopter. Once in the air, she's fine as long as she don't bother about it."

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT? SHE'S LITERALLY HAVING A PANIC ATTACK!" I looked at him fiercely.

But this time, "CAUSE I'M A FREAKING DOCTOR, YOU AS-," he quickly stopped himself. It felt as he was the one now shivering. All the blood rushed into his face.

Hearing our commotion Aleena came over and asked what was happening. Once I told Maryam's condition, she quickly demanded Adam to switch seats with her and she went over and hugged Maryam, holding her tight.

Maryam started to cool down and soon after, she fell asleep on Aleena's shoulder. Aleena patted on her head and we both laughed when we heard little snores from Maryam.

"I remember Aziz used to tell me about this," she said softly as she stroked Maryam's hands.

I was curious to know more. "About their mother's death. She died in an airplane." She said.

My heart skipped a beat. I hadn't even bothered to ask Maryam how her family was doing the first time I met her again. No one let me of Mrs Sheikh's death. And she was one of the most sweetest people I know. I now recall why Maryam's smile made me familiar with something.

She got her mother's smile.

Aaahhhh! I can't believe itt! We've reached over a thousand reads and I sure can tell you it was one of the most proudest moments of my life. I've been refreshing the whole day but it kept showing as 999 then finally at 10pm the 1k was revealed.

I am grateful to each one of you, who have taken their time to read and appreciate this story. It really means a lot to me. (Some people might be thinking why she so freaked out its just 1k but it sure does go more than that)

And at this occasion to give a huge shout out to one of my best friends Fathima CP who have shown loads of support for the story ever since I wrote a draft of the first chapter and @naira18_  who has supported it from the start🖐🏻

Grateful for you all🌠♥️