That was never It!!

chapter 5

Jaffar texted Aaliyah the next morning apologising for leaving her behind and not  taking her back to the hostel. She ignored his texts and called her father she had to tell him how Jaffar behaved yesterday.

"What?" Aaliyah could not believe Abu didn't mind that he does not pray.

"That is why Allah has blessed him with a righteous woman like you." Her father said and Aliyah's mouth dropped.

"But Abu -"

"Don't complain. You know if you guide him towards the right path, Allah will grant you Paradise. That's how easy it is for a woman to get Paradise."

Aliyah  knew she had no other choice but to reply him.

Forgiven.

She sent him that simple text message.

Coffee?

He replied immediately.

Nope. I am busy.

She lied.

Okay.

She was glad he didn't insist. She didn't bother herself with him the rest of the day. She attended her classes and went back to the hostel. It was a small institute that provides home for homeless young women. She was studying nearby and couldn't afford paying for a place to stay so she was glad to get a roof over her head despite of Mrs Stonert being mean to her.

It was on a Friday and they were allowed to stay late outside. Most of the girls went partying. She and Isabelle walked around the streets under the city's light.

They went to some cheap restaurant and eat. Both of them hardly had enough cash for anything fancy. They walked into the mall and looked around. By 8 o'clock they were exhausted.

"Let's go back." Aliyah nagged Isabelle.

"Curfew starts at 11pm." Isabelle said. "Let's hit the Central park."

Aliyah sighed there was no use arguing with Isabelle.

There were people at the park. Some were just walking around others were sitting around and chatting. Aliyah found the place boring. There were couples around talking happily.

***************†**************

Jem didn't want to go to the park that evening but Ariana kept nagging him until he said yes. She wanted to hang with her family before going out of town the next day. Haytham agreed to come along.

Haytham loved the Central park. It was  a  great place especially at night. Hanan was clinging on Haytham. She didn't want to be carried by her mom. Haytham felt pleased by her behavior.

"Oh wow Haytham." Jem started with a smirk. "Seems like Hanan loves you more than she loves us."

"That's because she has the best Uncle in the world." Haytham smiled and poked her tiny nose.

"You are good with kids, Masha'Allah." Ariana commented.

"Yea right. The last time I babysat her she made me burn my food." Jem laughed at that.

Just as they were about to sit down and start having fun. Jem got a call and had to leave. Ariana got really mad at him but let him go after Jem whispered something in her ears.

Haytham and Ariana sat on the bench and talked about everything and anything.

**************†*************

"I am staving." Aliyah cried and Isabelle gave her a shocked look.

"We just had dinner!"

"I know but I am really craving Arab meals."

"You are crazy."

Isabelle wanted to stay longer but Aliyah really wanted to go back.

"Okay, forty minutes and we will go back." Isabelle said and sighed. She loved the central park so much. It's where she grew up. Back in the days when they had no place to call home before her first Forster home.

"Ever wonder where he is right now?" Isabelle asked out of nowhere.

"Who?" Aliyah asked.

"Who else! Haytham!"

"He can be anywhere. He could be in Dubai right now. Chilling with his wife and kid." Aliyah said and shrugged her shoulder.

Isabelle liked it when she faked being strong and  not caring. She then noticed a Hijabi and a man carrying a little baby.

"You mean like that couple  right there?"  Isabelle asked pointing at them.

"Yeah like them." Aliyah said without looking.

"The mother has to be a  Blondie. See, the kid is a Blondie but the dad is clearly dark haired. " Isabelle said forcing Aliyah to look up.

Her eyes went wild and her mouth went dry. She could not believe the world could be that small. It was her Haytham, right in front of her.

"Hey! " Isabelle snapped her finger. "Earth to Aliyah."

"Oh My Allah!" Is all that Aliyah could say.