Turmoils- A Muslim Love Story

Chapter 28

Unedited

After cleaning the breakfast table, I was able to get a grip on my emotions. They had been spiralling out of control and I seriously did not want another mental breakdown.

That's right. You can do this. You WILL do this.

I put the stuff away and slumped on the couch in the lounge. I had cried so much these past days that even my tears had dried up. Groaning, I laid down on the couch and hugged the cushion to my chest.

I must have drifted off for I don't know, maybe an hour or so, when the doorbell began to ring.

"I'm not sleeping!" I yelled, sitting up.

Met by complete silence and the occasional ring of the doorbell. Great. I forgot I'm all by myself in this big, stupid house.

I quickly put a hand over my mouth. "Sorry house!"

I put on my shoes and walked out in the garage as I heard multiple voices of children.

Confused, I unlocked the gate to reveal the man from last night, Saifi, standing outside with a bunch of kids.

"Assalamualaikum," he smiled.

I nodded, still confused. "Walaikumasalam."

I looked down and there were five kids with him. They didn't seem too big and must've been between the ages 2-9.

3 boys and 2 girls.

Among them was also the kid who'd called me a ghost yesterday.

"These are my nieces and nephews," he began, fiddling with keys he had in his hands. "They wanted to meet their new neighbor."

He was a bit nervous, as if he expected me to freak out and slam the door on his face. But I loved kids! How could I turn away such adorable children?

I opened the gate wider and smiled. "Come on in. I was bored anyway."

He smiled relieved but the kids were naughtier than I expected. The moment the words left my mouth, the pile of kids pushed past me and ran inside. I laughed.

Children really are something.

"Actually, they're all very naughty," he chuckled. It was a little awkward between us. He had this cute dimpled smile and straight white teeth. In the daylight, I could tell he was more handsome than I'd deemed.

"It's okay. What's a little mischief in this age?" I answered, smiling.

Honestly, these people were the ones making me smile even though my heart was aching so bad. Asmara and Hassan had left an hour ago and if they hadn't come, I probably would've cried myself to sleep again today.

"Saifi! Did you and the kids-" Mehak came bustling in, carrying a handkerchief in one hand. She spotted me and instantly broke into a smile. "Ayesha! Darling, how are you?"

"Alhumdullilah(Thanks to Allah) I'm fine. How are you?"

"Wonderful, Alhumdullilah," she turned to Saifi. "Where are the kids?"

He pointed towards the house.

"By themselves?" She asked.

Saifi's eyes widened and so did mine. They really were by themselves.

"Hurry!" Mehak shouted.

Since she couldn't run, I ran behind Saifi and we burst in through the door. I was expecting them to have pulled down my curtains and spilled on my couches but none of that had happened.