Hand in Hand

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Baba was talking to his colleague on phone while I massaged his legs. He had come home after signing a very big deal and was really happy about it, but also really tired. Mama was preparing the dinner and Omar was out as usual.

I sometimes hated how boys were allowed to do anything they wished and no one would ask them about their whereabouts! But I also knew that Allah was watching and He would definitely ask the boys on the day of Judgement. Not like Omar goes out to hangout with his bad boy gang or for anything illegal. He was selected as the captain for his highschool football team so he had to spend a lot of time practicing with his coach. At least that's what he tells us.

But generally speaking, it's unfair to let boys be on their own! That's exactly when they start disobeying and hiding things from family. I wished someone would resolve this issue soon.

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard my phone ringing in my room.

Baba heard it too and so he nodded at me and continued talking on his phone. I left his side and rushed to my room for I was expecting a call from Parveen. But I saw that it was not Parveen, it was Adnan. I almost rolled my eyes.

I remembered that he had said he would call me tonight.

I answered it and said,

"Hello assalam o alaikum?"

"Don't you have my number saved?" He asked.

Why can't he respond to my salaam, what's his problem!?

"I do, why?"

"Why do you say salam as a question then? Like you don't know who's calling you?"

I realized that it was a habit since childhood and I silently laughed at my silly habit.

I didn't respond to his question and instead asked,

"Don't you know how to respond to salam?"

"I do, why?"

"Why don't you ever do then?"

His turn to not respond. Rather weird.

Wa'alaykum assalam.

It was so easy?

"What were you doing?" He asked after a small pause.

"Baba just came home so I was with him."

I liked his voice on phone more than I liked it in real. But not like I liked him as a person. He had a nice face and all but I didn't feel anything close to liking. And I also didn't feel the sparks or whatever when he was close to me or trying to flirt with me. Sure I would be breathing at a pace but that was not because he was close to me but because I was scared what would happen if anyone saw. (Lol)

I always disbelieved in the reflex reactions and feelings the couple would feel when they're close to each other in the books. Like hell there'll be fire when someone touches you. Girl, if it's fire I'm sure it's Jahannum reminding you of it! I rolled my eyes at my stupid thought and smirked at my own remark.

The talk was getting boring since I didn't know how to talk to him. I usually don't talk to anyone unless they talk to me first. And if I talk it's always just the yes or no.

This is why you don't have friends, Talaa.

I randomly just said that I had to sleep early so that I could visit Parveen the next morning, so even he decided to end the call. I was so grateful. I don't understand why he keeps talking to me when he knows I don't like to?