Finding Solace

Chapter 9 - The Calm Before The Chaos

A/N 

Hey guys... Chapter 9

Here it goes.

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My family and I sat outside, around the permanent fireplace Mahmoud had invested in a few years ago. He loved to entertain and the outdoor seating area and fireplace came in handy whenever there were a lot of people at home.

My fingers drummed against my knee as we all waited for Mouin to grace us with his presence. My aunties and the elderly were growing impatient. They had all been called over by my mother who advised them to not ask questions until I said what I needed to say.

But with Mouin running late, they were kept waiting.

A loud ring tone broke the silence. It was my mothers phone.

'Mouin where are you?!'
.....

'I dont care. Family comes first.'

.....

'Did your boss give birth to you? No! So hurry up! Family first. Work comes later!'

I stifled a smile. Even when the tension around me was so thick, my mother still had the capability to make a humorous comment. We had been sitting outside in the cold with the fireplace lit for the past twenty minutes.

My legs had gone numb waiting for Mouin to show up. I needed to move, be active, do something other than just sit!

'Im going to make a cup of tea. Does anybody want anything?'

Everyone shook their heads to signal a no. I made my way to the kitchen trying to find my favourite mug.

It was one I had painted at a ceramics cafe many years ago. I boiled the kettle and leaned back against the granite counter, exhaling and closing my eyes.

'Attiya is in the kitchen? Attiya is in the kitchen and it hasn't burnt down?'

I knew that voice. That voice belonged to the worlds most annoying cousin.

My eyes opened to see the sight of Mikaeel. 5 years my junior, Mickie towered over my petite short figure.

'Its good to see you too.' I said as I smiled sarcastically and crossed my arms over my chest. 'What are you doing here?'

'Your mother called us over.' He shrugged his shoulders. 'Beats me why I'm here. She was being so mysterious. But I guess it makes sense.'

I froze. 'What makes sense?'

'Well, you're here. So that means you're back from your honeymoon!' How was it?' He started moving his eyebrows up and down in the weirdest way and the sight was so disturbing that I started laughing.

'Oh go trouble somebody else please!' But I said it with a smile. He left the kitchen and I sighed.

I poured the water into my mug and watched as the tea started to infuse.

Its amazing how tea infuses into hot water. Its like one hot drop, and the dark tea colour spreads.

Similarly, one drop of drama into my life, and it spreads uncontrollably.

By tomorrow the whole town will know what had happened, but it was up to me to be strong, to rise above the drama and find a peace within myself.

Easier said than done...

There would be no peace after I told my family what they were dying to know. I walked back outside and suddenly all eyes were on me. The most prominent figure however, was Mouin.