secrets

Chapter 4

noor and her brother emerged out of the car stepping on the shining golden sands, the arid desert was not her cup of tea as she stood to see hussein facing the huge desert.

he had worn a navy blue traditional thobe which bellowed with the winds giving him a graceful vibe, he had sensed that they had arrived seconds ago, he slowly turned around revealing his face to the pair.

"welcome please come inside", he greeted them gesturing with his hand directing them to a secluded tent which was not noticable.

noor stared at her brother with hesitation in her eyes, as if reading their thoughts he comforted.

"i won't bite, i am not so cheap to stoop that low",

tahir took a step ahead beckening her sister to follow, noor felt the heat of the sun draining her energy, she hated places that were not to her taste.

a four seasons weather was preferable to her than the sundunes, England was her choice as half of her life was spent there.

she had loved the desi community which she was not among them but found them more inclined to the religion than arab culture, she walked with slow steps trying to push her thoughtswh

they entered the designated tent which she found it peculiar to her, "please sit", he indicated at the nearby cushions which were neatly placed at the corner, she found the tent filled with portable air condition which made the whole tent cool.

she breathed a sigh of relief as she relaxed her posture leaning in the comfort of the fluffy cushions.

tahir was nervously gazing down at his trousers as the silence was deafening to him, you must be wondering why i summoned you here in the desert", the silence was broken making tahir to turn his head at his direction.

"i want her to know me internally for who iam not as an entrepeneur but as a person", he paused giving tahir a skeptical gaze.

although the young teenaerger was in his late teens, he seemed mature among his peers.

"so how old are you noor?" he turned his gaze at the shy yet occupied in her own world.

"twenty", she replied curtly.

"let's get to discuss some serious matters", he begun but she cut him midway.

"i don't want to get married right now", she found her voice realizing it was a bit louder than intended.

hussein raised his eyebrows with curiousity scanning her face, he felt an invisible pull towards her.

it made him want to know her more, he leaned his head forward taking a closer look at her trying to reach her soul.

noor felt uncomfortable in the tent, she wanted the ground to swallow her whole, "so long as i get out of here as soon as possible.

•••••••

maryam sat in her room combing her hair staring longingly at her reflection, "a penny for your thoughts?" a voice broke her contemlplation.

"what happened today?" maryam faced the intruder who was standing beside her.

"the man is not easy to deal with", tahir sighed drooping his shoulders.

"how's that?"

"i dunno? too convincing", he said "he wanted to get noorie no matter the cost".

maryam let out a breath she did not know that she was holding.

"why?" she faced her cousin giving him her full attention.