Forbidden Territories

Chapter 5

Namra's POV

Through the glass of the car's window I see him walking towards me.

"Chaley madam?" he smirks down at me.

"By the way my name is Namra" I inform as I stand up dusting my coat.

"Acha .. Aur mera naam Adarsh hai.. Aur sunaaye.. sab badhiya..? Yeh sahi wakt hai in sab baaton ke liye" he sweetly patronizes.

"I was just saying because you keep calling me madam and it's weird..." I mutter as I look down embarrassed.

He snorts and grabs his cap from my hand.

"Let's go" he leads the way.

We reach the next street and he hails a rickshaw for me.

"Thanks" I mumble as I get inside.

He looks at me for a second before giving a curt nod and walking away.

I'm standing outside my house, fishing for my keys when the door is yanked open by someone from inside.

"Namra!! Where were you?" a plump lady in her fifties is standing infront of me with a look of concern painted over her face.

"Assalam alaikum mother" I smile at her as I get inside and remove my shoes and place them on the shoe rack at the corner.

"Walekum assalam...." I turn around to see her with her hands folded over her chest waiting for an explanation.

"I met up with Aisha and we were hanging out at the cafe.." I brush off as I slip my headscarf down and let it dangle around my neck.

I quickly make my way to the living room hoping to avoid mum's further interrogation but she's hot on my heels.

"Yeah..Yeah..she's home.. We're really grateful for your concern Hamza. I'll talk to you later" my dad walks out from his room.

I raise my brows at mum wondering how come dad is home at this time.He's usually at work and returns around 7pm.Mum looks at me pointedly indicating that I'm in some kind of trouble.

I avoid their gazes and instead try to look nonchalant as I look around the room. Staring at the dark maroon carpeted floor would make me look guilty which I know I'm not so instead I take in the familiar ambience around me.

The living room was small but cosy, a set of beige colored soft cushioned sofas were kept in a U formation with the bigger one in the centre and the two smaller ones on each side. Facing the sofa was a large dark brown colored antique book-cabinet made which housed a number of books on various topics. You could say reading was like hereditary in our family. Two brown colored ottomans were placed on either side of the shelf. A small cream carpet lay between the cabinet and the sofas, over which was placed a glass and wood centre table. One side the living room led to our open kitchen while the side opposite to it had large glass panes overlooking the road outside. Thick cream curtains with delicate designs in gold hung from the wall covering half of the glass panes while the uncovered part displayed a beautiful sight of the road and the sea shore running parallel to it. Despite the traffic the yellow lights of the lamp-posts give it a dainty look.

"Assalam Alaikum Dad" I greet as he hangs up.

"Walekum assalam" he replies as he takes a seat on the large couch.

"Namra..come here.." he pats the sofa.

"Yes dad..." I answer as I sit down beside him

"My darling daughter.. you know how much we love you and we care for you..." he runs a hand over my head lovingly.