Shirk in Disguise

Chapter 25

To her utmost surprise, the words that left Azeema's mouth as she walked tearfully into the room were, "Bilqees, you are such a Darling!"

Bilqees was completely appalled but she did a good job of concealing it. Thankfully, the massive hug in which Azeema engulfed her helped a great deal in hiding her shocked face.

"I totally understand why you refused to tell me that guy's message," Azeema continued in between sobs. "You must've kept my best interest at heart and known that I wouldn't want anything to do with him!"

Her friend heaved a huge sigh of relief. Azeema's words gave a perfect excuse for her actions. "Of course, dear," she mouthed. "I'd never even dream of making you miserable!"

"Oh, if only I hadn't gone out..." Azeema lamented.

"Never mind, I tried to stop you..."

"...and I was stupidly thinking that I was finally having a visitor!"

"It's okay, Friendy," Bilqees reassured, a plastic smile on her face. The feeling of guilt lessened on the realization that Faysal meant nothing to Azeema. That certainly made it easier for a possible transition into his life.

A while later, when the flow of tears had barely ceased, Bilqees sighed and looked up at her friend with a twinkle in her eyes. "But you know he's really handsome, right?" she asked her with a knowing look.

"Agh, Bilqees you're something else!" Azeema exclaimed as she thumped her playfully.

"What? I'm just appreciating God's creation!" Bilqees replied in between peals of laughter.

"Duh, I really don't care for his good looks anyway..."

"Ah, Friendy. You're the one that's something else! Bilqees retorted. Meanwhile, she was already forming strategies with which to win Faysal over to her side.

However, all Bilqees's attempts at gaining Faysal's attention proved futile. He had zero interest in her. In fact, if anything, his obsession with Azeema only increased by the day.

It took a while, but things finally began to look good for Faysal. Throughout the weeks that followed his first encounter with Azeema, he never relented in his efforts to win her to his side.

At first, she was nonchalant, he was caring. He was undaunted, she was unyielding. He was persuasive, she was dismissive. However, he pushed on doggedly, never missing a single visiting day and always made it a point to remind her how much she meant to him.

In the long run, she came to appreciate his growing concern for her. She even apologized for her earlier behaviour. He shoved her apologies aside, subtly stating that many a relationship that started off on bad footing stabilized with time. Bit by bit, the metal wall she'd managed to construct around her heart began melting under the heat of his 'love'.

Not surprisingly, her mood became affected. The two friends were chatting after a particularly hectic school day when Bilqees noticed that Azeema was more withdrawn than usual.

"Friendy, are you alright?" she asked. "You've become somehow withdrawn lately."

"Yeah, kinda," she answered languidly.

"C'mon just tell me what's bugging you."

"Well, I've been thinking..."

"Okay..." Bilqees encouraged her.

"Ah I don't think I should be saying this!"

"C'mon, just spit it out!"

"Okay it's just that..." Azeema stalled.