His City ( اُس کے شہر )

Three

After the horrible incident, Arya had stuck herself in her bedroom. Mrs. Shah had returned home an hour later, exclaiming how worried she had been. But she was distracted away once she was told that Asad was home again and she immediately rushed to him.

Every five minutes Arya would think of the embarrassing fiasco and would immediately wish she was anywhere but in this house.

Arya had skipped dinner and lunch, feasting on some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Tomorrow was Monday, the first day at the academy. Arya had spent some time choosing her outfit and hijab and arranged all the supplies in her bag.

Her stomach was lurching with nervous jitters and she soon fell asleep thinking of all the things that could go wrong tomorrow.

The next morning dawned bright and clear. The clouds that had been lurking yesterday were simple wisps in the sky now.

Once she was done with her daily prayers and read her morning Quran surahs, Arya slipped into her clothes and headed for breakfast.

Francois was already cooking away and he greeted her once she walked in.

"The same thing today too?" Francois asked her.

"Actually, is it okay if I take over for a bit?" Arya asked him, pulling up the sleeves of her shirt. "I kind of want to make my own breakfast today."

"Of course, of course!" Francois stepped to the side to make space for her in front of the stove.
Arya starting setting up to make parathas as Francois gave her some help, pulling out whatever she needed. In the next five minutes, the kitchen was filled with the smell of freshly cooked parathas and her stomach grumbled.

"What is that heavenly smell?" Mrs. Shah entered the room, rubbing her hands together. Her eyes widened when she saw Arya. "Oh, sweetie why in the world are you cooking? That's what we have Francois for."

"It's alright, Aunty," Arya smiled as she set down the tray of parathas on the table. " I really wanted to make breakfast today."

Mrs. Shah came over and picked at the edges of the paratha. Her eyes twinkled. "Aaj to Amina ki yaad agayi parathe dekh kar." She smiled. "It seems like she taught her daughter well."

Arya couldn't help but smile.

"Morning," Rafe strolled into the kitchen and Arya couldn't help but marvel at how alike the two brothers actually looked. "I smell parathas."

"Arya made breakfast today." Mrs. Shah beamed, seating herself.

Rafe gave her a smile which Arya returned awkwardly.

"Today's your big day isn't it?" Mrs. Shah spoke giving her a knowing smile.

Arya nodded. It would be her first day of attending the academy.

"Rafe beta, why don't you escort Arya to the academy?" Mrs. Shah looked at her older son. "That way you can show her around, you know the ropes. Arya doesn't know her way around."

Rafe chewed slowly and swallowed before he could answer, a small frown hinting at his lips.

"I would have loved to," He looked at her when he spoke, as if though he were answering Aya instead of his mother. "But I have a really urgent meeting this morning, I won't be able to." He said apologetically. 

Mrs. Shah furrowed her eyebrows. "She can't possibly go alone."

"Maybe Asad can take her?" Rafe offered and just hearing the name made Arya want to hurl.

"I heard my name."

Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear.

Asad Shah walked-no, he strutted into the room, clad in dark jeans and shirt. His hair sat messily in on his head, giving off different hues of brown.