In the heart of Wales, behind the walls of the grandest estate in the city, lies a hidden gem: sixteen-year-old Anna Hussain. With her mother as serene as the morning mist and her father a vibrant burst of color, Anna grapples with her identity-caug...
A huge thank you to everyone who stayed and made this happen. Alhamdulillah we are now a family of 10 K + reads and I couldn't be more happy! Yay ! <3 PS. Fall is around the corner, the cold nip in air is making me wonder if the season finale can be any less spooky?
Here's a celebratory cake for you!
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Welcome our guest appearance:
"I can hardly believe my eyes, is that really you, Anny?"
Mariam's voice pierced through the cacophony of the theater lobby as she pulled me out into the open.
Stunned, I stood there, speechless, my throat parched, and my lips parted in disbelief. Mariam halted just outside the hall, illuminated by the harsh glare of the lights.
In that moment, as if awakening from a trance, I noticed the metamorphosis she had undergone. The once-chubby figure I remembered was now slim, her curls replaced by straight locks.
She seemed taller, her skin devoid of the familiar tan. My heart raced as I struggled to process the flood of emotions, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.
Mariam-my childhood companion, my confidante through summer school-had been the sole reason for my visits to Pakistan, a tether to my past. But this time, I had been too consumed by my own turmoil to even think of her. The last time we spoke felt like eons ago, before I withdrew from the virtual world of social media.
Standing mere inches away, Mariam's eyes sparkled with familiarity, a wide smile adorning her face. I sensed her eagerness to reminisce, to chatter away as we once did, but instead, she regarded me with a concerned gaze, taking in my changed demeanor. Then, without hesitation, she enveloped me in a bear hug.
In that embrace, I found solace-the reassurance of belonging. Exhaling deeply, I suppressed the urge to crumble before her, to reveal the depths of my inner turmoil. I had to remain composed, if only for a while longer. How much time did I have left with her, after all?
Returning her embrace with a casual squeeze, I struggled to summon a smile, the effort feeling monumental.
"Anna, what's wrong, sweetheart? You can share with me now that I'm here, okay?" Mariam's voice was gentle, understanding, and it broke through the fragile facade I had constructed.
Unable to contain the tears any longer, I felt them trickling down my cheeks. Mariam knew me too well; I was not alone in this moment of vulnerability.
The tears flowed freely now, tracing silent paths down my cheeks. Mariam's presence was a beacon of understanding, a sanctuary amidst the chaos of my emotions. For three years, I had borne the weight of my struggles in solitude, concealing every shred of pain from those around me.
But with Mariam, it was different. She was the keeper of my stories, the harbinger of solace, the embodiment of trust. With her, I could shed the masks I wore for the world, revealing the raw truths hidden within. She was my rock, unwavering in her support, never doubting the authenticity of my experiences. In her embrace, I found refuge-the assurance that I was not alone in this tumultuous journey called life.
As Mariam pulled me into another embrace, her warmth seeped into my heart, soothing the ache of loneliness that had plagued me for so long.
I clung to her, allowing the floodgates of emotion to burst open, my tears staining the fabric of her shirt.
In that moment, I wished time would stand still, granting us an eternity in each other's arms. But reality intervened, and all too soon, Mariam attempted to disengage from our embrace.
Refusing to let go, I tightened my grip, the weight of my sorrow pressing down on me with renewed force. I didn't care who witnessed my vulnerability; all that mattered was that I was with my best friend, sharing a moment of unfiltered honesty and connection.
Our heartbeats echoed in sync, a silent symphony of shared emotions, as we remained locked in our embrace, oblivious to the world around us. But Mariam's gentle voice pierced through the haze of my despair, urging me to calm down, to let her see my face.
Reluctantly, I acquiesced, allowing her to guide me through the storm of my emotions.
As we parted, tears glistened in her eyes, mirroring the anguish I felt within. A lump formed in my throat, weighed down by the guilt of burdening her with my pain.
Mariam exhaled a calming breath before gently taking my hand in hers.
"Come on, let's get you out of here." She said softly, leading me away from the theater.
In my numb state, I initially couldn't fathom why I needed to leave the theater, but as we approached the elevator, I caught sight of Sara and her boyfriend descending the escalators. Concern flickered briefly through my mind for Sara.
Perhaps I could warn her later, once we were home?
I silently agreed with my subconscious, nodding along to the unspoken conversation.
As we stepped into the elevator, hand in hand, I stole a glance at Mariam and managed a small smile.
An overwhelming sense of relief washed over me, a glimmer of hope that perhaps things could return to some semblance of normalcy.
We swiftly made our way out of the mall and into the parking lot. As I glanced up at the sky, I was taken aback to realize it was already evening.
Lost in my thoughts, I turned to ask Mariam the time, only to find her gaze already fixed on me, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"What?"
I asked, puzzled by her expression, but she simply smiled and opened the car door for me. Bewildered, I settled into the familiar interior of the car as Mariam took her place behind the wheel.
Yes, we have a short chapters until season finale because I want you to have more from this book. So bear with me until Fall. <3
