Gamble

8. Rather surprising

Only 2 classes in the day and my head was already spinning. I walked to the cafeteria alone and sat at the corner table. I opened my ongoing novel- Divergent- and started reading. It was a good way to clear my mind from the French renaissance and all chemicals whose names I couldn't even pronounce let alone memorize. 5 minutes into the break and hunger took over my senses. I bought a bagel and decided to eat it on the benches outside. I pondered over the conversation we had with aunt Aalia a week ago. Sure enough, half of the family knew about our pretty little lunch with Naeem, and how Zehra was such a naïve and innocent girl corrupted by me. I wondered why I was being portrayed as the villain of the incident. Now I know, I am the orphan after all. Talking bad about me and getting away with it would be easy, or so Saima had thought. The moment uncle Amir knew about it he had put a stop to her tales.

From that day Zehra was pretty much in control now. She had been apologizing to me since then, bringing me small tokens such as snacks and things of such kind to pay back for the damage she had done. I had long forgiven her, for she had learned her lesson. But, as she puts it, her 'conscience was eating her alive'.

It had although taken long to calm her down. After we went to our rooms, she was almost going to call aunt Saima and interrogate her herself, good thing I stopped her before she did something stupid once again.

Someone playfully hit me at the back of my head, knowing it was Zehra I didn't tear my eyes off the book and kept reading as she sat herself beside me.

(SPOILER ALERT)

"Tris dies in Allegiant" she ruins my book.

I throw my hands in the air and glare at her, "THANK YOU SO MUCH"

"What?" she mumbles, showering me with pieces of croissant she was eating.

"Give me that." I take the croissant from her hands and munch on it halfheartedly. I wasn't hungry anymore but I just wanted to irritate her.

"Oh and before I forget, Naeem's parents are gonna come today." She said.

"What do you mean 'before you forget'? You never do and why on such a short notice?" I inquire.

She shrugs and walks off but I don't miss the ghost of a grin that passes her face. Something is surely going on that she isn't telling me about.

I had to call in sick at job today. For reason unknown to me Aunt and Uncle wanted me there when the guests arrived and I didn't protest. There was something I wasn't being told about but I didn't pry. Everything had its fixed time. I knew it better than anyone else.

The house was squeaky clean, supper ready and I sprayed on some perfume just in time of the guests' arrival.

They were already seated by the time I arrived downstairs. I politely greeted them and was about to leave and prepare tea when Aunt Aalia called my name and asked me to stay, instead she sent Zehra to the task. I awkwardly sat there as the elders talked about a bunch of things ranging from politics to the upcoming wedding.

Surprisingly Naeem and Adnan were not a part of today's gathering, I wondered why.

I smiled at stuff and laughed when jokes were passed around but did nothing more. My presence was a custom, not really needed.

It was that when Zehra came with tea that I felt appropriate to leave my spot and help Zehra offer snacks to the guests. We sat for a moment, I feeling more confident with Zehra presence in the room when aunt Aalia asked us to leave as the elders had something to discuss. It was weird though, that they would not want us around for the discussion but we didn't object.

When out of their sight I and Zehra broke into a run to the kitchen to finish off all the good stuff the guests had left. I told Zehra about the venues they were considering for the wedding. There were a couple of options, all of them lavish.

By the time the guests left we had finished off all the good stuff and upon witnessing what we had done Aunt Aalia laughed and uncle Amir let out an exaggerated sigh, like a child whose candy had been taken from him.

"Yusur dear" aunt Aalia said "We have something to ask you"

"Finally!" Zehra said from behind me.

"Yes?" I asked, unsure.

She motioned me to come to the livingroom.

All of us headed there.

"Before we tell you that I want to say that you are free to make your own decision. We will not pressurize you to do something or the other. It is your life and we will be beyond happy knowing that whatever your answer will be is what you want for yourself." Uncle Amir began.

A blanket of silence spread across the room.

"Mr. and Mrs. Mehmud asked for your hand" aunt broke the silence "For Adnan"

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Alhamdullilah I've got another chapter up *wipes off imaginary sweat*

I won't be uploading as frequently now as schools are starting and I've got 3 CIE's this October *cries* But I will make sure o upload as soon as possible :)

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