MARINA

Chapter 06

"So, Marina, you're coming to my birthday party, right, right??" Saira asked, as we walked through the corridors.

I fidgeted with my skirt. I shook my head slightly.

"You're not?" She seemed surprised. She stopped midway and turned around to look at me. "Marina?"

"I can't come," I answered, feeling really guilty.

"Why not?"

"I'm not allowed." I replied.

"And why is that?" She pestered.

"Saira, I come from an orthodox family. My mother would never allow me to hang out at night anywhere let alone at a club."

"You don't have to tell her." She suggested like it was the most obvious thing to do.

"Saira!"

"Come on, don't tell me. You don't lie to your parents? Pfft. Everybody lies, Marina. You can't be serious."

I just looked away. I didn't want to talk about it.

"I'll see you later. Allahafiz." I told her as I took a turn towards my class. I didn't wait to see her reaction to this. I really couldn't help it. My mother would never accept to send me there, not in a hundred years.

However, I did want to go. Because this was the first birthday party of a friend I would be attending. Saira and I had gotten closer during the past month. I was supposed to be her friend. I was supposed to be there with her at her party. She must be disappointed in me. I felt so guilty. I didn't know what to do!

I entered my class. I was thankful that this was the only period I didn't have with Saira. I could just think about ways to get out of it without having to disappoint her further.

Ugh.

This was so frustrating.

"Hello!" Someone said. I turned my head to look at the source of that familiar voice.

Zayn.

He sat down beside me. We have become desk buddies as well. Though most of the times I try my best to avoid him. I don't seem to be able to do it anymore.

"Assalamalaikum!" I greeted, smiling at him.

"Walaikumassalam." He replied, smiling back at me. He wouldn't say it before but now he had gotten used to it. To me.

My stomach was fluttering.

Stop.

"What are you doing? The bell wasn't given yet."

I sighed heavily. Should I tell him?

"Avoiding Saira." I replied, honestly.

"Woah! That's new. I never took you for someone who avoids people."

I resisted rolling my eyes at that. I avoided him the most. How clueless can he be?

I rested my head on my hands and closed my eyes.

"She invited me over to her birthday party. I told her it's impossible for me to come. She just doesn't seem to understand."

"Saira's birthday? Oh, right! It's around this week. How could I forget something like that?"

This time I really rolled my eyes.

"Anyway," he replied, sheepishly realizing my problem was bigger than his, "Your parents aren't allowing you?"