Forbidden Territories

Chapter 6

I make my way to the kitchen when I notice my entire family huddled around Osama,my brother who's sitting with his laptop on the couch in the living room. My dad and uncle Ali are seated on either side of him while mum, aunty Almas and Mehreen are hovering around them. Uncle Zaheer had sent the details of his son and so everyone was excited.

I walk out of the kitchen with a glass of water in my hand when I hear Osama's voice.

"Name is Mikaal, twenty-six years old and is a police officer. His dad has a textile business and his mum is a home-maker, he has a younger brother Riaz who works in Dubai.." my brother continues.

I almost stumble when I hear the words 'Mikaal' and 'police officer' together. I steady myself as I plop down on the single cream couch beside them.

I take a sip assuring myself that it's just a stupid coincidence.

"The profile is good.." I take another sip as Uncle Ali remarks.

"And he's a cop how cool is that.." Osama blurts.

"Show his photos Osama !" Mehreen speaks.

And I assume Osama does just that as in a few moments there is complete silence in the room. I get antsy as I can't see the screen of the laptop from where I'm seated, I still cling on the little hope that it can't be the guy I met this afternoon.

I notice the impressed expressions on everyone's faces. Mehreen is the first one to make eye-contact with me, a massive grin painted over her face as she purses her lips and nods in satisfaction.

"Mashallah...he's got a good personality" my mum exclaims.

"Show Namra .." aunty Almas instructs happily.

I take a sip of water as I close my eyes for a moment still praying that it's not the same Mikaal. Osama flips the computer screen towards me. The water seems to feel like smoke in my throat as my eyes land onto the laptop screen.

I feel choked and break into a fit of coughs as the glass of water slips from my hand, spilling the remaining contents on the carpet below.

"He really took her breath away it seems.." aunty Almas's joyfully says as I feel a hand thumping my back.

I take a deep breath and regret it instantly as some of the water seems to go up my nose and I start coughing and choking again.

"Was it a shocking surprise?" Mehreen who's now standing beside me whispers mischievously.

"Yeah....it was a shocking surprise..." I murmur as I look at the screen once again.

A man with rich chocolate brown hair and dark eyes smiled back at me. Unlike the khaki attire I'd seen him this afternoon he's dressed in a crisp tuxedo.

"This is gonna be so awkward....Officer Mikaal" I mutter to myself.

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A/n: Pic of Namra's Bro Osama --> played by Borhan Malik ;)