Broken Hearts, Hidden Secrets

Chapter Thirty-five

Fulfilling Zianna's Bucket List{Part Two}

After agreeing with Azhar to go to his home and have lunch there. But deep inside she knew that it wasn't right for her. All she could think about was how Hayat treated her when she was at the hospital and when she was discharged.

Hayat reminded Zianna of a mother's love that she needed in her life during the bad times she had been experiencing in her life. 

"What are you thinking about? If you are scared of what my parents would say, don't be. Mamma asked me to go home for lunch with you today, I told her that I would think and ask you first if you wanted to join," Azhar said. "But first we need to go to the place as it will close for the holidays," he added, turning the car to the right.

"I am not scared, but worried about what they will think of me if I walk in all wet..."

"Well, Mamma would scold me for not carrying an umbrella, and then she would take you to the guest room to get changed after telling me to go and change, too," Azhar says, smiling, remembering the memory that his father told him about how his mother was whenever it rained.

"I don't want her to scold you because of me. I will explain to her what happened and then apologize on your behalf..."

"Zia, you don't need to do any of that because she will know that it was both of us and not you or me alone who were to blame for what happened, "Azhar explains. We are here. Do you mind waiting in the car for five minutes?" he asks after parking the car near an animal shelter.

Zianna nods and he walks out of the car and goes into the building.

After exactly five minutes, Azhar walked out with an animal carrier in his hands. Zianna wondered what was happening as Azhar came to her side and asked her to open the passenger door.

"This is for you. I know that you always wanted one, but where you were staying didn't let it happen, so Tayyal and I decided to get you one while staying with him and his wife," Azhar said with a smile. "Open it, Zia," he added, handing her the carrier.

Zianna nervously opens the carrier to find a striking black and white tuxedo cat. The cat had bright green eyes that sparkled with curiosity and mischief as it playfully pawed at the ribbon that adorned its neck. Its fur was soft and sleek, with a distinctive pattern of black patches against a backdrop of pristine white. The cat moved regally, exuding confidence and elegance in every graceful step. Its tail flicked back and forth with a sense of feline grace, adding to its aura of mystery and charm. Zianna looked at Azhar and smiled at him. She couldn't help but melt at the sight of the gorgeous creature, and she couldn't resist scooping it into her arms, feeling the gentle purrs rumbling from its chest as it nuzzled against her in contentment. The cat had found a new home in her arms, and their bond was instant and undeniable.

Zianna looked at Azhar with tears in her eyes and no one has done this for her.

"Thank you so much for this, I really appreciate it..."

Azhar walked to the driver's side of the car and opened the door to get inside and it was still heavily raining.

He then turned to face Zianna with a smile.

"That's a gift and you don't need to say thank you all the time," he says. "And you deserve it, Zia," he added.

"Could you name it?"

"Its a boy by the way. And yes I could try and name it," Azhar says smiling.

The two of them started saying random names for the cat but none of them were suitable for him. That's until Zianna remembered the stray she and her mother used to feed where they were living.

"How about Midnight?" Zianna asked.

"That name matches perfectly ma shaa Allah," Azhar commented as they approached his home."Then his name shall be Midnight," he added, smiling at Zianna.

Someday, you will find your happiness, Zia. And I hope that happiness is with me in shaa Allah.

Azhar watched how Zianna played with the kitten and the laughter she had was something pure and magical.

As they walked inside the house, Hayat shook her head as soon as she saw them drenched.

Zianna couldn't face her as she felt embarrassed. Azhar took the cat carrier and placed it on the floor beside them.

"Asalam aleikum, Aunt. I was the one who asked Azhar to play in the rain...I promise you that will not happen again..."

Hayat could see how terrified Zianna was especially after witnessing how her stepmother treated her a few months back.

Hayat slowly approached her and took her hands with hers.

"Zianna, you don't need to apologise for something that you wanted to do for yourself. And I am happy to have you in my home. I won't scold you because you played in the rain but all I will say is that the next time you should wait until you get better to play in the rain," Hayat says, smiling warmly at Zianna. And then she turned to her son who smiled cheekily.

"As for you..."

"Mamma..."

"Habibty, let him be," a voice interrupts them, making them look behind at Aayan."Azhar, go and change while your Mamma takes Zianna to the guest room so she can do the same," he added, looking at his wife who shook her head.

Azhar quickly walked up to his room before his mother could say anything.

"Come on, Zianna. I will take you to the guest room and bring you Iman's clothes," Hayat says, turning to her husband who was smiling knowing that after taking care of Zianna, she would come and scold him instead of Azhar.

Zianna grabbed the cat carrier making both Hayat and Aayan curious.

"He is my cat. His name is Midnight...Azhar, got him for me today," Zianna explained nervously to them.

"Ma shaa Allah that's good. You can take the cat with you, while my husband goes and gets the cat food in the pantry," Hayat says, surprising Aayan.

Aayan walked away to get the car food they stored for the strays that would come and eat.

Meanwhile, Hayat took Zianna to one of the guest rooms to freshen up. She got a few clothes from Iman that she knew would fit her.

And that includes a hijab.

After getting dressed, Zianna walked out of the room but didn't know what to do.

As she was about to turn around, that's when she accidentally bumped into Azhar who was coming out of his room.

Thankfully, he was fully dressed.

"I am sorry, I didn't see you..."

"It's okay, I was about to go down if you want to join me", Azhar asks her.

Zianna nods and walks behind him as they walk down the stairs into the dining room to eat lunch that was already set on the table.

Hayat and Aayan were waiting for them to arrive so they could have lunch.

A place was also set for the cat Midnight by the door where they can see him.

Azhar and his siblings are lucky ma shaa Allah, they have parents who care and worry about them. Sometimes I wish I could have that in my life just once but I am thankful to have my brother, sister and also my sister-in-law in my life even if they aren't my parents. They are still family.

After lunch, Hayat kept insisting on Zianna coming for lunch every day including the weekends. She didn't want her to feel abandoned by love or family. Hayat knew what it felt like not to have a mother by her side when she needed a mother's advice. 

I pray that her father will come to his senses soon. I know how she must feel not getting love, or affection from a parent. Even though I still had my father, sometimes a child needs her mother more.

In the coming day, both Tayyal and Azhar kept fulfilling Zianna's bucket list. They each took turns to do what was written in the list with Zianna and that included knowing how to drive a car.

Making promises and keeping them is rare which most people can't do.