His Niqabi

Chap 14. Roses for the ladies

Qibriyah's POV

I plopped on the couch with a book the next afternoon. I was home alone, well, if a sleeping Maira doesn't count.

Everyone had left for their schools, nurseries and office. I still didn't know what Armaan actually did to earn. Hiba said he has a job other than the gang but it doesn't pay off enough salary.

I kept on reading the book, Sunset View by Margaret Thornton till the sun had nearly set in.

The doorbell rang and I peeked through the peephole to see someone in a suit. I rolled my eyes. Armaan.

I opened the door and let him in.
To my surprise he muttered a Salam to me before rushing to his room, pink tinging his cheeks. He didn't even let me reply.

The doorbell rang again and upon opening, a flood of chatting children rushed in through the door, almost squeezing me to death behind the door.

Basith was the last to enter and he had a bunch of thornless roses in his hands.

"They're gorgeous, Basith" I gushed when he told all the ladies to line up.

"I just saw them and thought they were pretty, so I bought 'em" he shrugged while bending on his knee in front of....well, Maira, who just woke up.

He offered her a rose "For you, my lady."

She just clapped and giggled happily and in an instant grabbed the rose and ate the petals. Perhaps she thought it was something to eat.

Basith stared at her with and 'o' shaped mouth then chuckled.
I joined in seeing Armaan try and get them out of her mouth.

He turned to Ayesha and offered her another one. She smiled and kissed his cheek while he pinched her nose. The next in the line was Hafza.

Basith cut the flower's stem and fixed it in her hijab pin, receiving a hug from her. I figured they have a bond similar to a siblings' bond.

"Awww" I cooed along with Hiba.

He then offered me a rose, for which I thanked him and complimented the rose. It was cute of him to do this.

"I should've bought you a cactus instead" he teased Hiba to which she stuck out her tongue, but thanked him nonetheless.

He then turned to the last girl, Maria. I think I was the only one who noticed his ears turning pink as he hastily gave her the rose.

I looked at Maria who was completely oblivious to his expressions.

I smiled to myself and shook my head. Kids.

My gaze fell on Armaan who was, very cutely, playing with Maira' s hands as she comfortably snuggled in his lap.

I remembered the dream I had this morning.

It was Zak. He took my hand and lead me to a certain place and stopped as he smiled at me. I followed his gaze to my other hand which was held by another person. I couldn't see his face but I could tell it was someone familiar. A bright light suddenly shone on his face as he laughed a hearty laugh, his eyes twinkling in the light.

It was Armaan.

I took a sharp breath and stood up, making my way to the kitchen. I'll probably make some snacks for everyone. I will distract me for a while as well.

Maria and Saad came to help and we made some delicious chocolate cupcakes.

We all gathered in the backyard, where I went for the first time.
Armaan and I opted for some tea while the rest decided for chips to go along with the cupcakes.

It felt good though, sitting here with these kids made me forget everything for a while.

All the kids except Kareem were currently playing blindfold. Kareem was showing some magic tricks to Maira who was enjoying it very much.

"Can I ask you something?" I looked at Armaan.

He sipped his tea before nodding.

"Where'd you find these kids? I mean where are there parents?" I asked, hoping he'd tell me once and for all. Curiosity is my weakness, if you're wondering.

He looked back at me so I shifted my gaze to the kids.
"They're orphans. Your dad took over their orphanage an year ago. He told me to sell these kids to the slave markets. I couldn't do such a thing to these innocent souls. Maira was just two years old that time." He glared at me as if it was my fault.

My jaw dropped. "Dad? My father would do this? It's so unbelievable.
When did he become so cruel that he won't even spare innocent kids?"
I was flabbergasted.

It took me a few seconds to consider he was really talking about my dad.

I bit my lip. "I apologise for whate-"

"We don't need your filthy apologies" he cut me off harshly.

Before I could utter a word in my defence, he walked off. ON ME.
How dare he?

I gritted my teeth as I finished the rest of my tea.

"Trouble in paradise?" Basith snickered as he replaced Armaan by taking his seat.

"Shut it" I grumbled.

"So...have you thought over it yet?" He asked, leaning forward as if telling me a secret, "You know, about the marriage."

I straightened myself. "Tell me one thing. Neither me nor him gives a living shiz about it. Why do you care so much and keep bugging me?" I spoke.

"You see, I like playing Cupid." He smirked, shrugging casually. I remembered the events of this evening.

It was my turn to smirk. "I didn't know Cupid could have a match too."

"Huh?"

"I saw how you transformed into a beetroot while giving her the rose" I teased, chuckling, when I saw him looking horrified.

"Please don't tell anyone. I'll do anything."

"Anything?" I smirked.

"Anything."

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