Strings Attached

~Chapter 9~

Here's the next chappie... guys!! Hope you guys like it :)

Belated Eid Mubarak, guys! Hope you had an awesome Eid :)

Unedited.

______

Manchester, England.

(Hidayah Ali)

It's a miracle I caught sight of the two of them before they could see me, or worse, click a picture of me or something. I immediately let myself inside my room, not zoning out of the conversation I am having with my dadi (paternal grandma) for even a second. "It's such a pity you've gone so far away from me, gudiya (doll)!" she tells me sadly. "I can't even admire my granddaughter and give her hugs the way she loves them." And hearing that, tears spring from my eyes.

Normally, I wouldn't have felt this emotional. I would have consoled her, instead of joining her into the teary drill. But all that happened at school and with Hiba, has finally got to me. I haven't had it yet, but I firmly believe my stay at the Jabbars' Home wouldn't go peacefully for me. Especially, now that the eldest child of the family has begun to hate me with all her heart.

It has taken me less than a day to ruin things. I'm usually not so badly scared, but the drastic change of scene has made me meek and frightened of the days to come. The only person who might sympathize with me, is Uncle Jabbar. And he's not home, most of the time.

"I love you, dadi," I tell her, my voice shaking horribly and my eyes filled to the brim with tears. "I love you too, gudiya. But tell me, wasn't being emotional my part only?"

"And yours was to console me, wasn't it? It looks as if you've taken over my part too. But no, my gudiya is strong," she states vehemently. "Tell me darling, what has upset you so much? Aren't those angrez treating you well?" And hearing that, I break down right into the phone. I know she's old and won't stop worrying about me after hearing me cry like this, but I can't bottle it in anymore.

"Ya Allaah (SWT), Gudiya! You're making my heart hurt. Tell me what is the matter," dadi asks me once again, her tone pained and urgent. "I miss you all so much, dadi," I reply, sobbing and wiping my unceasing tears. "We miss you too, child. But you have to be brave, haan. What will you do if you get scared on just the first day of school?"

"I never thought you, of all people, would give up so easily! I could expect this from Raafiah... that girl needs to get a good telling-off from me, by the way. She is getting to be a real ninny, if you ask me." I chuckle at the idea of Raf getting a scolding from dadi... I'm always glad at the scene, it's hilarious. My sister isn't very fond of our only paternal grandparent.

"I don't want any of my grandchildren to grow up to be clods, sit scared inside their homes and know nothing of the world," dadi goes on saying, and I hear her quietly, her voice soothing my heavy heart. "No, my child, I want you all to be known as worthy men and women in your lives. And I don't want especially you Hidayah, to admit defeat. Did you fight with your parents just to come back home, as unwilling and ignorant as ever?" And I remind myself that I indeed did not come here to go back home, crying like a kindergarten kid on their first day of school.