One Way or Another (Al-Ameen Family #2)

Solitude

I woke up with the sun, way before I needed to. Waking up for morning prayers after going to bed early was great till falling back asleep becomes a challenge. Plus side however was the peaceful shower I got since everyone was still asleep from last night's long running party.

After my shower, I put on the dress for today and did half my makeup before getting bored. It was only 8 and the girls sleeping in my room were still asleep. Careful not to wake them, I stepped out onto the balcony with my phone. I dialled Ms. Brownfield's number.

"'Bout time you called me," her subtle Irish sound brought an instant smile to my face. I moved my wet hair away from my face and leaned on the railing to soak in the seasonal sun.

"I'm sorry Kathleen, I have been stumped with work lately. How are you?"

"Still walking my love. How is the wedding?" she sounded well which gave me a calming feeling inside. Unconsciously, my fingers ran through my hair as I caught her up on what's gone on since we last spoke. She updated me on the inn and all the events planned for over the holidays coming up in the fall.

She hung up when some work arose and I happily let her go, promising to call soon. Finally looking up, I noticed Yusuf and Zinat apaa chatting in the room across from mine. He laughed at something she said and begged her to stop something. The doors to their room were open but the corner I was standing in took me out of their view.

The stupid, nagging feeling took over as I watched Ali walk into the room with Omar behind him. The four all chatted over tea before disappearing from my sight. I hung my head and waited till the feeling went away. I had to remember it was a matter of perspective, not of possession.

"Bhai," a voice across the balcony had me quickly looking up. Yusuf was standing in the doorway but he quickly turned when I looked over, giving his attention to Ali. Instead of lingering any longer, I went back inside.

The girls were all awake now and scurrying around to get dressed. I grabbed my straightener and sat against a wall with an outlet. The girls kept the room lively with her chatter and I finished my hair faster than I thought I would listening to them talk about the hot boys attending the wedding.

The room soon filled up with more girls looking for space to get ready. I was forced to move away with my makeup box into the doorway of the balcony. My old friend and one of the bride's cousins, Sanaya came and sat across from me with a cheeky smile. She and I sat in silence as we finished up our looks.

Once ready, everyone headed downstairs to wait for the groom's family to make their entrance. All the girls were handed trays of flower petals but with a little cousin of mine in my arms, I was subjected to just standing.

"Oh Aasifa, what is this?" I noticed her hands were dirty from some unknown substance. Tannu chachi would be busy so I took her into the bathroom to clean her up before she got her dress, or worse-mine, dirty. As I was washing her up, loud drums and trumpets sounded the beginning of a song, indicating that the groom was arriving. I hurried out of the bathroom but the rush of girls leaving the house too see the groom's arrival was disastrous.

Just as I stepped out of the house, some pre-teen punks ran out blindly and I was pushed into someone standing in front. He quickly steadied himself before I could fall with Aasifa in my arms.

"I'm so sorry-" I started, only to look at him and see Yusuf again. Shame flooded me.

"Not to sound too bold but we really need to work on our balance," he chuckled.

"No kidding. How's the arm?" I gestured to where he hurt himself last night and my face warmed up at the reminder of the embarrassing fall before that.