MY NIECE'S AUNT (COMPLETED)✔️

CHAPTER 54- FEELING EMOTIONAL

After everyone had slept off, Mahdia sneaked from her bed, grabbed her laptop and ear phones, and dashed into the washroom.

She locked the door and took out her phone that was tugged in her night PJ.

Mahdia: message me the websites.

Her fingers shivered with excitement and nervousness as she sent the message to Lydia. She gets an instant reply from Lydia

Lydia: (smirk)

Lydia: wait

Ten minutes later, Mahdia sat on the closed lid of the commode, laptop resting on her lap and her earphones plugged into her ears. She glanced at the back of the closed door of the bathroom. She exhaled loudly before typing the link in the search engine. Her heart beat racing as the website opens.

The graphic images itself made Mahdia slightly pukish. Her palms sweating and her fingers trembled as she browsed through the net.

Mahdia fast forwarded most of the parts that made her feel like gagging. She watched only the action part.

Her eyes widened, her cheek burned and her ears turned red as she watched them. Lydia had warned her only to take a hint from the videos.

KNOCK...KNOCK....

Mahdia looked irritably at the door, 'Yes.' She called

'Hurry up, Maddy!' Mariam called from the outside.

Mahdia got up hurriedly, and in the hurry, her earphones plugged out from the laptop and a woman's moans and a man's grunt rang softly in the bathroom. Thankfully it wasn't that loud. But it was loud enough for Mariam to hear, 'What are doing, Maddy? Is someone with you.'

Shit! Shit! Mahdia closed the laptop flap she sighed in relieve as the screeching sound ended. She threw her head back closing her eyes.

KNOCK...KNOCK.

Mahdia composed herself and opened the door. Mariam looked at her and frowned.

'What are you with the laptop?' she questioned Mahdia. She brushed off her niece saying she was doing some research for her café.

Mariam didn't buy the excuse but before she could quiz Mahdia further she had walked away.

That night, Mahdia couldn't sleep, the videos kept playing in front of her eyes. She tossed in her bed which annoyed Mariam a lot.

Mahdia turned her head and glanced at the alarm clock, 4 am. Only a few hours and then she will be rushing to drop Mariam to her school bus.

Suddenly, she remembered Ahyan had texted her around 12 informing her that he has gotten Mariam's ticket for this weekend. Soon, for the first time, Mahdia will be separated from Mariam. Mahdia twisted her body and looked at Mariam who slept beside her. Mahdia has begun to miss Mariam already. Mahdia has mixed feelings about this. She trusts Ahyan but this will be the first time Mariam will be without Mahdia and she feels worried and concerned for her. What if Mariam doesn't like India? What if she can't adjust there? What if she does something rash to be back with her?

Mahdia turned to the other side, she rested her head on her arms and snuggled her head into her arm, a lone tear escaped her eyes. She will miss her little niece.

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Next morning as Mahdia took out Mariam's uniform and as Mariam silently got ready for school there was eerie silence between them. Both fighting hard to fight their tears. Mrs. Siddiqui watched them as they silently ate their breakfast. Mahdia held Mariam's hand tightly and walked her towards the bus. As she was about to let go, Mariam gripped her hand tighter. The two looked at each other, their teary eyes silently communicating. Mahdia forced a smile and leant forward kissing her cheek.

'Have a good day, Mariam.' She whispered. Mariam waved her goodbye as she climbed on the bus. Mahdia waved her niece as Mariam stuck out her head and waved her Mahdia from the moving bus.

After the bus disappeared around the corner Mahdia let her tears fall. She exhaled loudly before shoving her hands into her coat pocket and walking towards her home, her head lowered.

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Mrs. Siddiqui found Mahdia sitting alone in the living room. Her head lowered and her gaze fixed on her clasped palms. Mrs. Siddiqui noticed Mahdia is ready for work – white and blue polka dotted full sleeved shirt and black jeans, ankle length black shoes.

'What is bothering you?' she asked taking a seat next to her daughter. Mahdia didn't look up, she simply shook her head. Mrs. Siddiqui extended her hand placing her palm over hers. Mahdia closed her eyes and tears roll down her cheeks.

'Arey mera Bacha, what happened?' Mrs. Siddiqui asked caressing Mahdia's head. Mahdia broke down crying. She leant forward resting her head on her mother's shoulder she cried. Mrs. Siddiqui wrapped her arm around Mahdia and caressed her arm all the while consoling her.

'I think...I...am...we...are being selfish.' Mahdia cried in her mother's arms. Mrs. Siddiqui frowned not understanding the context. She remained silent. Mahdia sniffed and continued, 'By sending Mariam to India...' she turned and held her mother's palms in between hers, she looked at her with tears in her eyes, 'aren't we being selfish, Ma. Mariam likes it here...How will she be alone there? What if she doesn't like it there?' Mahdia bit her lower lip looking away, Mrs. Siddiqui's palm clasped tightly in between hers. Mrs. Siddiqui smiled. Mahdia's concern is genuine and normal.

Mahdia closed her eyes when she felt her mother's fragile palm on her shoulder.

'Hey, baby. Don't think like that. We are not being selfish. We are uniting Mariam with her Nana and Nani. It is a good thing right.' She explained calmly. Slowly, Mahdia looked at her mother. She hadn't thought it this way. She smiled little, thinking it this way she feels lighter.