Okay, I'm going to try and work on finishing this story now.
Sorry, once again, for the delay.
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In the previous chapter, Iman got an opportunity to assist in a surgery along with her father, but she was the target of her colleagues' envy, as they broke into her locker and caused damage, also accusing her of nepotism. To some extent, even Taif felt envious towards her, but he tried to remain mature about it.
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Iman
I had a week off work, a week where I didn't have to deal with the constant angry glares of my colleagues.
"Where are you?" Hania Appi waved a hand in front of my face.
I blinked and glanced at her. "I'm here."
She sat at me across the table at a café in Bicester Village, where we had driven up for a day out. Baby Hassam was in a pushchair beside her, while Hina and Hamad were at school, to be picked up by Hamza Bhai later.
Taking a sip of her cappuccino, she narrowed her eyes at me over the rim. "Work stress? Why? You're on leave! Ignore it for a while."
I sat back in my seat, taking a deep breath. "It's nothing like that."
"Then?" Like Mama, she wasn't willing to let go that easily. "All okay with you and Taif Bhai?"
"Yeah, all's well. Alhumdulillah." I sipped my own coffee as I glanced around.
I remembered the old days when we used to visit here with Mama for a girls' day out. Our mother loved the atmosphere of this place, but I used to shop in the designer shops, carefree and without any concern about the high prices. Hani Appi only used to buy the things when they were on sale. How different were those times? How different was I?
It was through though, life eventually forces you to grow up. Eventually, at one point or another, we were forced to face responsibilities... and circumstances that were opposite to what you were used to.
"So, how are Hina and Hamad?" As usual, I decided to divert the topic from myself. I didn't want to feel any sort of self-pity right now. Alhumdulillah, I had no reason to feel sorry for myself. I had a roof over my head, three meals a day (depending on my work schedule), a job that I loved, and, Taif of course.
"Cheeky and exhausting." She yawned, as if to give evidence of her statement. "With this little boy, it's even more exhausting."
"Ma Sha Allah, don't say anything against my team." I reached out and ran a finger down a sleeping Hassam's cheek.
