Her Encounter | Islamic Story

Chapter 23

Aiza kept on whispering "what's wrong" but I could not utter a single word while I pulled her up the stairs, conscious of the fact that every eye in the room would be on us. After getting out of the hall I released my breath which I didn't know I was holding.

"Denae, is everything okay?" she asked. Her eyes were filled with worry. The corridor was deserted. While doing the calculations on my mobile, a notification had popped up on the screen, a text message.

I was shaking from head to toe. Apparently having lost my voice, I shoved my mobile in her hand. She took it immediately and her eyes widened after seeing the message too. "Oh, Denae," was all she could say before I almost fell over. Harry, who popped up out of nowhere held me just in time. He must have seen us getting out and followed us. I still couldn't support myself so he sort of picked and dragged me to the nearest chair around.

"Is everything okay?" he asked concerned.

Aiza looked at me while I just stared back. I couldn't speak. I was lost. It was Aiza who replied, "Yes, it's fine. Nothing to worry about. We need to go back home right now. And we'll have to cancel the dinner too. We're really sorry."

Harry was bewildered but who could blame him. He said after a while, "It's okay, but seriously what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, Harry. Let's just go back quick, shall we?"

"Okay."

I had no idea why Harry didn't ask further but I was grateful that he didn't. Already Aiza was in trouble because of me, I didn't want Harry getting involved. I was now more than glad that he was leaving forever. One less person who might get hurt because of me.

It was now Aiza who supported me to the car. We left the place in silence. It took more than an hour to reach Convanlea and another half an hour to drop Harry at his house. Throughout the time, I was numb and I thought nothing. I didn't get out of the car to see him off. I was still shaking. My heart felt ready to tear my chest and jump out.

"Goodbye Harry," I said from the window, trying to press down my stammering deep down. I didn't want to leave him with a single bye after what he had done for me so I dug up the strength from within and said, "I'm sorry our byes have to be this way. I just want you to know that you've been a great help during those two years and I'll never be able to pay you back but let know I honestly love you and treasure you as one of the best friends. I hope you get all the happiness in your life because you deserve nothing less."

"Thanks, Denae." He smiled at me while a tear ran down his cheek.

I was sad at how my life had turned out. I never felt like crying anymore even when I wanted to. Firstly, I struggled with trying not to cry to keep up my vow but now, I didn't even have to try. It was as if my tears had dried up.

"I'll miss you a lot. You've been an amazing friend," he whispered.

I was ashamed of not feeling sad and disturbed for Harry leaving us forever. The message had drained away all other feelings from my body and replaced it with only one; fear.

It was dark when we left Harry's home. Now that the numbness had gone, I worried about how I would tell Uncle about everything. Just how?

The message kept ringing in my ear.

How our silly mistakes open up the past we run from for so long. Let's begin hide and seek again, shall we?

-KL

P.S: I heard you made a Muslim friend too. I love the idea of a bait.

I couldn't believe what sort of problem I had dragged myself into. What was worse was that Kantun would hurt Aiza to get to me like he hurt us to get to my Dad.