Thorns and Roses

15

                          SAMEERA
My life has never been this way. Devoid of chaos and drama. My body seems to adjust to the less toxic nature. The lesser the loud voices the calmer my heart throbs at every sound.

Nurrain. He has been extremely helpful with life. We have reached a point where he has the keys to my apartment. And even with his schedules, I somehow get home everyday to home cooked food. Something I will forever be grateful for. He is the rose and I...I am the thorns. He managed to grow more beautiful and making me look beautiful alongside even with the darkness and chaos in my life.

No, he hasn't proposed yet. Khadijah advised I do so on his birthday, I am still contemplating that. I am helplessly in love with him and I don't regret nothing about that.

I looked around the school surrounding to nothing in particular before finally settling on a bench in front of the coffee truck. I ordered a burger and a cup of cappuccino. It's been a really busy morning for me. Waking up late and almost missing my first class, so I had to rush out, obviously without taking breakfast.

I sat there, using my tablet to read 'Red rising'.

I couldn't because it was off and out of battery percentage so I just sat there reminiscing my food.
A loud gasp escaped my lips as I turned to look at someone walking towards me. It was a group of people. I winced my eyes to confirm and behold! My Dad and some of his people are walking towards me.

Accidentally, I dropped my cuppa and stood up in a rush. I wanted to run but I couldn't, my legs couldn't carry me.

Thinking about it, why should I? I waited for them to reach but they didn't, instead, they took a turn to the admin block.

A loud sigh escaped my lips. The people around the coffee truck were staring at me. Only then did I realize the mess I look like.

"Sorry." I whispered to no one in particular and walked away.

Two minutes in to walking directionless, my phone rang. It was my elder brother. I picked the call and I wanted telling him I am on an excursion or something but I couldn't bring myself to do that. I know right what my father is doing, planning out an arranged marriage. I heard it all from my niece.

"Where are you? Come to your admin block." His voice sounded down.

"Okay."

I walked to the admin block, trying to block out all the negative thoughts.

The sight was less appealing when I reached. My dad seated with his stern face as always, two people seated in front of him on the carpet.
My brother was standing by the door when I reached. It was an empty room, mostly for important school visits. I slowly walked, careful not to trip.

A small smile formed on my brother's face when I hugged him.

"Don't say anything when he speaks. Just listen." He said, his voice sounded more like a warning.

I nodded and walked in.

I squatted from a distance.

"Imbalijam Baba." (Good day Baba)

He stared at me. Sometimes I really wonder, are we really Hud kids or his enemies?

"Jam. How is school?" (Fine)

"Fine Alhamdulillah. How was your journey?" I enquired again.

"Alhamdulillah." He looked at the people in front of him.

"Excuse us." He ordered and they didn't hesitate to.

"I am sure you had a conversation with your mother."